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When Zavian spoke next, Azriel wasn’t expecting what he would hear.

“He was using Neera and succeeded in getting my blood through her.”

“No,” Azriel gave a soft exhale. “No, that can’t be right. She wouldn’t do that.”

“She did, and he did. And now, they have my strongest weakness, and nothing can stop them from killing me. We do not have enough men and women, not for what Aloysius had prepared for us.”

“The prophecy,” Azriel whispered. He looked at his friend, but Zavian was already donning his armor, already buckling the straps.

“I would follow you out to the fields,” Zavian stated. “I want to see the numbers. And I want every Duke and Governors’ report on the men in their Kingdoms. We have to move fast.”

“How did you know?” Azriel asked. “About Aloysius’ plan?”

“Neera told me.”

.....

“Was she aware all along?”

Zavian clenched his fist along the sides of his armor. “She said she was used, and she wasn’t aware at that point.”

“Do you think he can still be able to access her? Still be able to use her?”

“What are you suggesting, Azriel? That I have her killed?” Zavian growled. “You think that is our solution right now?”

“No,” Azriel’s reply was mild. “No, I want you to ask her. I want you to make sure, despite all our planning, we are secure in it.”

Zavian mulled over what he said. Was it possible Aloysius used her as a window to view their strategy and their weak points? Even though Neera had hurt him, he knew she would tell him if that were true. But what if she didn’t know? What if Aloysius had found a way to gain control of her body?

“I will make sure of it,” Zavian said. “For now, we have a war to focus on.”

….

Neera was perched on a chair beside Freya, and it was quiet in the castle. All the servants had gone to sleep, and had shed off the guards that had tried to follow her. So she waited, her head lolling this way and that, fighting off sleep as she waited for Zavian’s return.

She had been cooped up in the chambers, and Zavian had refused to step in with her there. He didn’t want to see her, she knew, couldn’t bear to. But she had to make sure he was okay.

Her head lolled dangerously to the side, and she snapped her eyes open, and when she rose her head, there, standing at the doors, was Zavian himself, the night blotting out his features.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

Neera stumbled to her feet. “I had to see you.”

“Why?”

“Because…,” she swallowed, but didn’t move from her spot, but neither did he. “You can’t even stand the sight of me.”

Zavian said nothing, and even though Neera couldn’t see his eyes, she knew he was watching her. So she moved toward him, closing the long distance between them.

“Stop,” she heard him say.

“I need you to understand I didn’t do it on purpose,” Neera wanted to scream, but surprisingly, her voice was calm. “I need you to understand I had no control…”

“You could have told me, Neera. During when it was happening and after it happened.”

“I couldn’t during when it was happening, and after... I didn’t know how to,” she said. “Because of this,” she stopped and pointed the space between the two of them. “I was scared I would lose us. I didn’t want to. Please, Zavian. I love you…”

“Do not,” Zavian raised a finger. “Do not utter those words to me again.”

Neera bit back the sob. “I am sorry, Zavian.”

“How did you do it?” Zavian asked. “I would have known if my blood was being drawn from me. So how did you do it? Humour me, Neera.”

“I…,” she paused and decided it was best to go ahead and say it. The worst had already happened. “I made you believe I was in love with you, and then, I drugged you.”

“Splendid Neera,” Zavian clapped caustically. “Even a fox isn’t as cunning as you are. Now tell me, what else has Aloysius got planned for me?” he asked, rage seething through his teeth.

“Zavian,” Neera called him. His name unlocked a door in him, and from the flurry of his rage, he could see the woman he loves, or loved, and he still couldn’t shut the door of feelings on her and act like what they had together didn’t exist anymore.

“You have to believe me,” Neera said, and her words soaked through him like a sponge. The rage, the hurt, the anger he carried bubbled to the surface, and in his head, he could see himself tearing his skin to let it all out. It was killing him.

“I would never willingly work for the demon who had me killed in the first place,” Neera said. She walked up to him, and Zavian’s glare was hard, warning, but she ignored it until she was in front of him, and met his eyes.

“Tell me I would hurt you,” she said. “Tell me all the love I feel for you is fake. Tell me I am bad, and the cause of this chaos. Tell me, Zavian.”

But Zavian couldn’t speak, and he only stared at her.

“I’m waiting,” Neera said, a silent tear slipping down her cheek. “I am waiting Zavian. If that’s what you truly believe, tell me.”

Zavian was as rigid as a rock, and when Neera was sure he wasn’t going to confirm anything she had said, she left him and walked out the door.

Zavian dropped into the seat next to his sister, and he let out an exhausted sigh. He looked at Freya, then threw his head back and snorted a mirthless laugh.