Page 68 of Hollow Court

When I’d first arrived at Elk, it had been easy to lose myself in Aino. She was something familiar, a small bit of home in a world that was entirely foreign. We had taken advantage of our meetings together to find a connection that allowed us both to forget that we were strangers here.

She had seemed to understand the nature of our relationship before I left for Ram a couple of months ago. Had seemed to welcome it, even. But ever since I had returned, she had been more persistent, even though I turned her down each time.

“Not today, Aino.”

Her eyes flitted to my rumpled bed. A dark emotion flashed across her features, but she dipped into a curtsy before I could decipher it.

After she left, I sank down onto my mattress, massaging my temples. Maybe Galina wouldn’t understand. Maybe she didn’t want what I wanted.

But I would never forgive myself if I didn’t find out. I had to talk to her.

Before it was too late.

TWENTY-FOUR

Davin

Present Day

I had never seenthe dungeons this full.

In Alech, sure. That was where Lochlann housed most of our prisoners.

But not here. Not in my home.

Sure as stars not full of men I had trained beside, men I had called friends and counted on to protect my family.

Gwyn’s fist connected with Scottie’s jaw. Her knuckles dripped with crimson when she pulled her hand back. Whether it was her own or that of the man chained to the chair, I couldn’t be sure.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Scottie said, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the ground. “This isn’t the kind of fun we usually have.”

Gallagher barely pulled her away before she lunged at the arseling. Was he trying to goad her into killing him now that his false tooth was gone?

“We can’t kill him yet, Gwyn,” her brother said calmly, stepping between the two of them.

Then he pulled his fist back and brought it down on Scottie’s cheek with surprising force before bending down to growl in his ear.

“I’m a healer, Scottie.” He managed to make the words sound menacing. “So, I know how to keep you clinging to life long, long after you wish you weren’t. Remember that next time you open your mouth about my sister.”

And everyone thought Gwyn was the more terrifying of the two.

Scottie’s face paled several shades before he, belatedly, lifted his head defiantly.

I took my chance to resume my questioning.

“Is this a game to you? Do you actually have any loyalties, or do you get off on the betrayal? Otherwise, why?” I left the question dangling in the air.

I had found myself repeating that single word more and more lately.

Why would you betray us? Why did you choose these rebels? Why their cause? Why now?

He scoffed, though he wasn’t nearly as confident as he had been before Gal’s threat. “Now you care. How fitting.”

Once again, I wondered where we had gone wrong with our people to make them think we didn’t.

“We always cared. We were your friends, Scottie,” I said, trying a different approach.

“Friends?” Scottie forced out a laugh. “We were neverfriends. You lot had no time or concern for anyone but yourselves. This is on you.”