Bloodguard

chapter 52

Maeve

“You’re a fucking liar,” I tell Tut. “And a traitor, too.”

Tut scowls, causing his tusks to rise.

I tilt my head. “Did I insult you?”

“Ya,” Tut replies like it’s obvious.

“Good,” I say.

He lowers his head again, his skin bunching along his throat. When he finally lifts it, I can tell he has something to say. I’m just not sure I’m willing to listen. I already have a plan in mind—smash the oil lamp against his chest and watch him burn, just as he watched Vitor.

“I’ve been a servant of the court for a long time,” he says. “Long before your father was born. I was there to watch him take his first steps. I watched him grow, Princess. I cared for him.”

My mouth parts as my anger escalates to fury. As the general in charge of surveillance, Tut is tasked with executing “justice” at the ruler’s will. I watched him escort my papa to the dungeons that day. I saw him—Vitor’s freshly anointed right hand—lock my father up for a crime he did not commit. I was willing to believe he was just following orders, but this ? To pretend he gave a damn about my papa while he did it…

He flexes his huge fist. He could kill me with just a squeeze. We can’t go hand to hand…but we could go with my foot kicking him through the open window. I hadn’t thought of that, actually. I could give the crows a bit of meat to munch on come morning.

“I did not want to hurt the good prince,” he rumbles. “Andres…your papa… He was an honorable man.”

“Don’t,” I say, rage simmering through my every word. “Don’t you dare talk about him like he’s not around. Like he’s not suffering as we speak. Like he’s not fucking dying in the cell you forced him into!”

Ogres don’t cry, at least not in front of those outside their family, but tears glisten in his eyes for a moment before he blinks. “I believed he would not have hurt the queen. I even tried to speak on his behalf. Vitor would not hear me. It is only now that I see why.”

“I suppose that makes you a hero,” I taunt. “But it doesn’t. In fact, it makes you worse. You were willing to let a man you believed innocent waste away to keep your own precious seat in power.”

Tut takes a shaky breath, and I hope my words fucking hurt. “Believe me or not, Princess, I am here to tell you that he is safe.” If untrue, I don’t think a strike from his meaty fist could hurt me more.

I don’t want to believe him. The love I have for my family is only a commodity to be used against me. “You’re a liar.”

Back and forth, side to side, Tut rakes his claws along the leather straps across his chest. “I’m not lying,” he says. “Your papa is free.”

Hope flickers in me like the wavering flame in the lamp, but I can’t blindly trust his word, no matter how much I want to.

When I do not respond, he simply regards me and continues speaking. “I needed my position. I chose to bite my tongue to keep it. And because of that, I was able to get him out.”

If I could lift the bed, I would throw it at him—for knowing that I can’t trust his word and still giving me hope, which I absolutely can’t handle being stolen away. “Where is he?” I manage, unable to settle my trembling voice.

He pauses for a moment as if deciding whether or not to tell me. If true, this information can be used as a weapon against me and any of my family who remain, so I’m surprised when he finally says, “Safe. With your friend Stasia.”

“Stasia?” I almost stumble against the nightstand, hope rising.

“You helped her child, so she wants to help you. She doesn’t know who he is. She thinks he’s just a very sick man you’re treating.” He holds up a beefy hand and swears, “On the honor of my people, he’ll be safe there until you choose to move him.” It’s a serious oath for an ogre and one not taken lightly. He would not lie on the honor of his people.

I blink back tears. My sweet papa is safe and free, but this is not the time to rejoice. There are still too many obstacles in my way—too many enemies, perhaps including this ogre who clearly wants something from me. I straighten my shoulders and lift my chin in challenge. “Regardless of any noble intent, you’re helping an evil man.”

“That was never my intent,” Tut snarls, his tusks appearing to grow right in front of me.

I scoff. “And yet here we are.”

Tut growls and snaps his fangs. I barely blink, my temper getting the best of me. “I fought an ogre earlier today. You probably heard, since you were a part of this whole, you know, obliteration-of-my-family debacle. It didn’t end well for either of us, but I’m willing to have another go.”

His top lip curls back from his gums. “I told you I freed Andres, and at great personal risk. Do you hear me? He is safe, and safe he shall remain, as he deserves.”

“Why?” I ask, certain he is using my papa’s life to barter for something.

He stills when bitter tears cloud my vision.

“I asked you why,” I bite out once more.

“It was the right thing to do,” he says. “He was innocent all along, and Vitor finally admitted it.” The nails of his huge hand dig into the stone windowsill. “I would never hurt Andres. And as his child, Princess, I will not hurt you. It was not supposed to end this way.”

My fingers tighten around the handle on top of the oil lamp. I know in my bones that there is more to his motivation than sheer goodwill. “Then tell me. How was it supposed to go?”

Tendrils of steam swirl from his nose as he eyes me closely. His emotions must be running especially high. “We were supposed to take out Vitor, and we did.”

“You, Pua, Soro, and Ugeen?” I guess.

“Do not group me with them as an ally.” He shakes his head, his frustration making it harder for him to form words. He slows his speech, enunciating each syllable carefully. “They are the means to an end. I, among others, have spent years infiltrating this establishment.” His deep wrinkles expand across his leathery face, aging him further. “Some were caught early on.” He pauses. “You can guess what happened to them.”

“The arena,” I offer. “Yes, a fabulous way to ensure Aurora grows big and strong.”

Tut shakes his head, and his shoulders slump as if he’s exhausted. “None of this is her fault. She’s a tool used by bad people to do inexcusable things.”

I can’t believe he’d defend that monstrous creature, but his words and expression seem sincere. “That’s one way to look at matters.” I ease away to sit on the bed, balancing the lamp on my knee just in case his mood, or my own, grows hostile.

“Your grandmother suspected traitors,” he says. “And she was right to. So instead of revealing Aurora to us, she fed her in secret.” He pulls down his cuirass when his plump belly pushes through. “We’ve spent decades trying to get close to the queen and Vitor. It took the queen dying for Vitor to seek a new ally. Yet as much as I did to earn his trust, he never trusted me enough to reveal where the phoenix was held.”

“But now you know.”

“Now I know.”

The oil lamp balanced on my knee flickers, causing Tut’s shadow to dance along the wall, highlighting how imposing Tut is compared to me. His shadow is three of mine across and twice as tall. But I’m not afraid. Not of him. I won’t give him that power over me.

“So that I’m clear, you spent years waiting to meet Aurora so you could capture her to use as a weapon against Arrow?” I ask. “Was that your ultimate goal?” It’s no wonder Grandmother and Vitor were so damn paranoid.

“No,” he grunts. “Not to capture as a weapon.”

“What, then?”

Tut hangs his head low, clearly fighting for composure as he takes several deep breaths. When he looks up, he appears even more weathered. “Princess Maeve, please hear me. I need your help. We must work together.”

“Work together why?” I ask. This isn’t just about my papa, and Tut proves me right.

He stretches out his arms, all but pleading. “My plight is much bigger than you or me or Arrow. Old Erth is dying, and she’s taking us with her. Our only hope of salvation is to set the phoenix free.”