He pulled away, and she froze, stunned. “Tobias, what’s going on?”
“You must know what we’re doing is pointless,” he said. “That there’s no happy ending for us.”
“That’s not true.”
“Then you’re a fool.”
Leila’s eyes widened. “Tobias—”
“Flynn knows.”
She started. “What?”
“Flynn knows about us. And he’s threatened to tell The Savior if we don’t end things at once.”
Bracing himself, he waited for the pain to streak her face, for the horror to flood her eyes, but she simply stared back at him, calm and stoic.
“Did you hear me?” He came in closer. “Flynn knows. He could end us both.”
“He won’t,” she said. “I assure you, everything’s under control.”
Tobias let out a cynical laugh. “Is that right?” His heart raced, catalyzed. “I put my hands on him. I promised to kill him if any harm came to you. I was this close to strangling the life from him.” Pacing the floor, he raked his fingers through his hair. “You may have your end of things under control, but I…I am far beyond that.”
“Tobias, please try to relax.”
“How can I relax? Am I supposed to be comforted by the thought of your death? Or the thought of mine? Is this all supposed to amuse me?”
“Of course not. Why would you say that?”
“Look at you! You’re hard as stone. You act as if this doesn’t matter.”
“Because it doesn’t.”
Tobias stopped his pacing, wounded by her piqued tone. She took in a deep breath, composing herself, while Tobias brimmed at the surface.
Leila exhaled. “Flynn knows. It’s a complication—”
“A complication? Do you hear yourself?”
“There have been delays, but we still have time to make it right. There are moves left to be made, maneuvers yet to be considered—”
“What are you even talking about?”
“Brontes is formidable, but we can still stay one step ahead of him.” Her eyes grew larger. “He’s gaining ground. I won’t deny that. But I’m not without resources. I knew of the garden, of Garrick’s execution, even today, with Raphael’s release—”
Her words plowed through him, a blow to the gut. “You knew?”
“Pardon?”
“That Raphael was going home today. You knew.” He took a step toward her. “For how long?”
The answer didn’t matter. Already his insides were unraveling, his patience and command giving way.
Leila cleared her throat. “I-I’m not entirely sure.”
“But you knew before the Sovereign’s Choice. And you didn’t tell me?”
“There are more important things—”
“More important than release? Than being free of this madness? Than a life with you as opposed to watching men die around me, waiting my turn.”
“Tobias—”
“Do you know how badly I wanted to be released today?” he spat. “Not so I could see my mother or sister, but so I could spend the rest of my days with you. God, and to think I barked at the Sovereign, hoping by some miracle he’d throw my ass out of this damn tournament.”
“Is that what that was about?” she said.
“Why else would I humiliate myself? Not to mention put my life in jeopardy. I’m surprised he didn’t kill me himself.”
She shook her head. “He wouldn’t.”
“Is that so? Yet he sics Drake on you like a damn hound.”
“He wouldn’t just kill you. It’s not part of his plan.”
“His plan? What plan?” Tobias flung his arms into the air. “This is what I mean. My life hangs in the balance, and I’m lost. All these schemes, and I haven’t a clue. You knew Raphael was leaving. What else do you know? What are you hiding?”
Leila’s face slowly drained of color. “I can explain—”
“Brontes was telling the truth, wasn’t he?” He looked her in the eye, his gaze challenging. “I’m in over my head. And you’re lying to me.”
“Tobias—”
“You’re lying to me, aren’t you?”
Silence spread through the room like a disease. Leila’s lips parted as if there was something to say—something she couldn’t—and that was enough to splinter his heart into pieces.
“God, see?” He fought back a wince. “You can’t even say it.”
“I’m not lying to you,” she stammered. “I mean, there are things I haven’t told you—”
“Enough. I can’t take it.”
“I’ll tell you everything,” she said. “Right now. Whatever you want to know.”
“I don’t want to know. Not anymore.”
“Just let me speak, I promise I’ll—”
“Enough!”
Leila flinched, shock plastered across her face. Her eyes glistened over, but it was lost on him. Rage filled every empty space within his body, burning straight through his flesh.
“You’re a liar.” His breathing became thick, his pulse beating behind his ears. “You leave me hanging, and I let you, because I… Because I’m stupid.