Page 44 of Tarnished Crown

“It wasn’t like that,” Theo growled.

“It doesn’t matter,” Evander snapped back, losing a bit of that calm. “How do you think they would have seen it when they found out? I might have taken her as my prisoner, but at least I had the decency to keep my hands off her.”

“That’s not what it looked like to me,” Theo spat, his body tensing as he stared at Evander.

I stiffened. “He hasn’ttouchedme.”

Theo looked at me apologetically, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Regardless, it’s not like we had a choice when she came stumbling into our territory.”

Evander and Davin both scoffed in disbelief, and I shot my cousin a warning glance.

“No choice?” Evander asked, shaking his head. “You couldn’t have hidden her? Storms, you couldn’t have pretended she came intentionally for a potential alliance and then sent her home when the ‘negotiations failed’? You couldn’t have doneliterally anythingbut put her life in the hands of a Summit and create a political nightmare for us all?”

Theo hesitated for a fraction of a moment, long enough for me to consider Evander’s words as well.

“Word would have gotten out,” Theo finally said.

That was valid. I knew enough about court life to know they would never have been able to keep it a secret. That was why I hadn’t fought harder to begin with, and the way the gossip had spread through the guards at the Summit only drove that point home.

“And when it did,” Theo went on. “What would Clan Bear have done?”

Evander’s closed off expression was evidence enough. He knew Theo had a point, even if he was unwilling to outwardly acknowledge it.

“Exactly,” Theo responded. “You would have used it as an opportunity to undermine and attack us. It’s always the same with you, Evander. You put people in impossible situations, then judge them for making the only choice they can.”

Evander’s face paled, his features going tight with fury and maybe even shock.

“So that’s how you’ve justified it to yourself all these years? Whatever helps you sleep at night, old friend.” Bitterness coated his words. “The fact remains that even if part of what you say is true, every asinine decision you and your brother made would have led us directly to war with Lochlann, a war that Clan Bear would be situated directly in the middle of. And just like back then, you’re lying to yourself now if you think Iiro didn’t plot any of this.”

His words hung in the air for a moment before Theo let out a long breath.

“Not everyone is as underhanded as you are, Evander.”

“Is that so?” In spite of his outburst a moment ago, Evander’s tone was casual now, his face a mask of deadly calm. His churning gray eyes were the only sign that the rest was a ruse.

“I might even believe you, except...” Evander looked pointedly at Davin. “Except that Clan Elk has a history of lying for their own gain.”

My heartbeat thundered in my ears, and I tried to quell my panic. That’s what hissecretcomment was referring to. I would have guessed that we hadn’t sold the eunuch thing well enough, but he seemed to know more than that.

It wasn’t that I was scared of Evander, exactly, but he had already proven that he had a ruthless nature and wasn’t above using someone for his ends. I didn’t want Davin to become the next pawn in his games, not when my cousin was safe where he was, and Theo had promised me he would stay that way.

I risked a glance at Arès, who was glancing between the two men with skepticism. Instead of commenting, though, he merely held out a hand.

“Enough. We are not here to hash out every past wrong, only to focus on a solution for this single situation. Clan Bear, do you have a counterproposal?”

Evander’s gaze went to where Theo’s fingers were still brushing against my wrist. “The only way Princess Rowan is going back to Clan Elk is if she agrees never to marry into it.”

Theo opened his mouth to respond, but Arés held up a hand.

“Lord Stenvall has stated his terms. It is my advice that you take them under consideration before making a reply. You are the heir and last in your family line. I am certain your brother would not want this decision to be taken lightly.”

Theo nodded, his knuckles white, his muscles straining under the weight of his anger.

“Tensions are clearly high,” Arès added. “I think it’s time we take a break. It’s safe to say each Clan knows what the other wants. We will reconvene in the morning to see if we might reach a compromise.” He said the last part as if he were dubious about it.

Me, too, Arès. Me, too.

CHAPTER32