The look on Kolis’s face said he thought it was ridiculous, and my fear for Rhain increased as I heard him too clearly.

It’s okay, he said. I’m prepared to die.

But I wasn’t.

I knew if I couldn’t convince Kolis there was an alternative, Rhain would die, and it would be a horrible death.

It would also be another drop of blood Ash would have to ink onto his flesh.

I absolutely refused to allow that.

Resolve filled me, sealing the cracks in my blank canvas. Become his weakness. Even if Kolis wasn’t convinced yet of who I was, he wanted me to be Sotoria. He wanted his precious so’lis. I was already his weakness.

“There is another option.” I walked to the right, closer to where Kolis stood. “Release him.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kyn groused.

“Releasing him will only benefit you. It proves that you can be a benevolent ruler. A smart one,” I said. “A King worth someone’s loyalty. More so than any Primal ruling a Court.”

“Worth?” Kolis whispered.

“Just because you believe someone should already find you worthy doesn’t mean they do. Killing them won’t change that,” I said. “But releasing him will. It’s not like he’s accomplished anything but getting his ass beat.”

“Well,” Kolis remarked, “that part is true.”

“And it sends a message. Release him in the condition he’s in. They will know you can be fierce and giving, just as a King should be.” I came as close as I could to the bars. “And releasing him will prevent further escalation.”

Several seconds passed before Kolis spoke. “I see what you’re suggesting, but I am not sure why you think I’d care if those who rebel against me find me fierce or giving.”

Shit.

“I don’t,” Kolis continued. “I am only worthy of those who already see me as such.”

Well, that made absolutely no sense whatsoever. I tried to swallow, but my throat was too tight.

It’s okay, Rhain’s voice came again. I am ready—

I blocked him out because I knew what he claimed, but I couldn’t let it happen. I couldn’t allow Ash to lose another person who was not only loyal to him but also cared about him.

And I couldn’t watch Rhain die.

“Let him go,” I said. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Seraphena,” Rhain rasped out loud, his head loose on his shoulders as it turned to Kolis. “Just kill me. Just fucking kill—”

Kolis threw out his hand, and Rhain…he just dropped. He hit the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“What did you do?” I exclaimed.

“He’s fine.” Kolis walked forward. “What were you saying? That you’d be willing to do anything for him?” Kolis asked quietly—too quietly. “Why?”

Staring at Rhain’s crumpled form and unable to see his chest rise or fall, I reminded myself that I would’ve felt it if he’d died. “Because…because if you kill him, there will be war. He’s important to Nyktos.” My insides burned, shriveling a little at the knowledge that Kyn was hearing this. “And as I said before, how can we start over if there’s war? I’m willing to do anything to have a chance to…” My throat thickened. “To know what love feels like.”

A small eternity passed as Kolis stared at me. “Anything?”

My heart stopped its ceaseless racing as finally, finally that veil of nothingness settled into place again. “As long as you promise that Rhain will return to the Shadowlands, no more harmed than he is now,” I said, having learned from earlier that I needed to be as clear as I could in our agreements—something I hadn’t done in our deal regarding Ash. “Anything.”

The eather calmed in Kolis. “So, another deal?”

“Yes.” I gave a half shrug, knowing how the movement pulled the gown against my chest and would draw his attention. “What can I say? I have a fondness for deals.” I smiled. “After all, everything that has led to this moment is the result of one.”

Something I’d rather not acknowledge flashed in Kolis’s stare. “Deal.”

I nodded, relieved.

“You’re no longer needed,” Kolis said to Kyn. “Rhain’s transport will be handled by another.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” Kyn bowed. As he straightened, he looked at me with a blade-thin smile and a look…

A look that said exactly what he knew would happen.

Even though he was unconscious, I couldn’t look at Rhain. So, I busied myself with pouring a glass of water as Kolis called for Elias to send for Callum. They took Rhain from the chamber in silence. I didn’t know how long he’d be out, but I hoped it was long enough for him to be taken from…well, wherever I was in Dalos.

Kolis and I were alone.

He watched me. “Anything?”

I took a long drink and then faced him, but I wasn’t me. I wasn’t truly here anymore. So, it didn’t matter when I nodded.

Kolis positively glowed. “Then, tonight, we will share the same bed.”

Shortly after what I could only assume was suppertime, the Chosen once more prepared a bath for me. I didn’t think about anything as I bathed, likely on Kolis’s orders. Nor did I think about anything when I saw the slinky, ankle-length, gold nightgown on the bed.

The bed.

I hadn’t slept in it yet.

I sat on the divan and waited, hollow and blank, until Kolis returned. He was alone, dressed in those loose linen pants with damp hair. It appeared he, too, had bathed.

Kolis crossed the chamber and entered the cage, finally speaking. “If you are who you claim, you are far bolder than you were before.”

“How so?” I asked, even though I had a good idea what he meant.

“You never spoke your mind or shared your opinion, at least not at first,” he explained.

Sotoria’s presence stirred as a little surprise flickered through me. “I imagine a lot of that has to do with the times being different.”

“You imagine?” His head tilted. “But you don’t know. Because you cannot remember.”

I shook my head.

Kolis didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Is what I requested of you a surprise?”

Was it? No. Not in the way he likely meant.

“Will you not be bold now and speak your mind?” he asked.

I could be far bolder than his imagination could conjure because this wasn’t me. I looked up at him. “You offered me to Kyn, so your request was a bit surprising.”

“I offered you to him only if you are not who you say you are,” he replied. “If that is not the case, then it should be of no concern to you.”

He really thought that made a difference? Whether or not I was Sotoria, I was still a person—I stopped myself. He did think that made a difference, and it…it didn’t matter.

Several more moments passed. “What you said earlier…” His chin lifted. “It was wise advice. Releasing one of Nyktos’s men does show that I’m reasonable and fair.”

A laugh bubbled up in my throat, but I proved that I was wise by not letting it break free.

“And that I am…how did you put it? Worthy of loyalty.” Eather sluiced across his features. “You will be happy to learn that I’ve been advised Rhain has made it back to the Shadowlands, no more harmed than when he left.”

The only thing I allowed myself to feel then was relief. “Thank you.”

“I hope I do not regret this if what you’ve said ends up being a fabrication,” he said. And he would when that happened. I couldn’t regret it, though. Rhain lived. “And that my benevolence is remembered,” he continued.

“It will be,” I lied smoothly. I was nothing but lies now. This wasn’t me anymore. I wasn’t really here. Nothing I said or did mattered.

Kolis was quiet and still for a moment, then he extended an arm, gesturing to the bed. “The divan will not suit us.”

I rose on steady legs, passed him, and sat on the bed, feeling the soft mattress.

He watched me like a hawk. “Lie down.”

This isn’t me. I reclined. I’m not here. Easing onto my side, I stared ahead. None of this matters.