Forest of Ruin Read Free Page A

wounded men quickly to Warlord Okami’s compound.
    â€œTend to Lysias’s arm first,” Moria said, in that same calm way. “He’s lost a great deal of blood, so bind the arm before you go.”
    â€œYes, my lady,” one of the men said.
    Emperor Tatsu ordered others to take Daigo back to the compound, and that’s when Moria turned from Tyrus. “What? No. He must come with me.”
    Tyrus flexed, but one warrior had taken Lysias’s place and another had stepped up behind him, so that now three blades at his neck held him as tightly as any bonds.
    â€œDaigo must go with her,” Tyrus said. “Gavril can tell his father he found them together.”
    â€œAnd the moment Moria misbehaves, Alvar will kill him as punishment.”
    â€œHe’s right,” Gavril said. “As much as I would like Daigo at her side, the risk is too great.”
    â€œThen take me,” Tyrus said. “Gavril found the two of us and took me prisoner, too.”
    â€œThen you would suffer the same fate as her wildcat,” his father said. “If Alvar knows she is attached to you, he willkill you to punish her. If he does not, then he will kill you to punish me.”
    â€œWhy? I’m only a bastard prince.”
    â€œExactly. Killing you is not an act worthy of retaliation. In fact, given that the empire believes you betrayed it, Alvar would be lauded for executing you, and I would be unable to retaliate.” The emperor walked to Tyrus, who was still locked between the sword blades. He lowered his voice. “Alvar knows me well. He knows how to hurt me the most.”
    Tyrus looked away. “All right. Then I will follow them. I will camp nearby and be there for Moria.”
    â€œNo, Tyrus.”
    â€œYes, I—”
    â€œ No , Tyrus. Another word, and I’ll take you back to the imperial city and put you in my own dungeon. If that’s what it takes to stop you.”
    â€œI’ll go,” Moria said. She moved in front of Tyrus and faced the emperor, no one stopping her now that her hands were bound, her dagger on the ground. “I’ve said I’ll go, and I’ll do it alone.”
    â€œNo,” Tyrus said. “You—”
    She turned to him. “I cannot get out of this. You know I cannot. Find Ashyn for me. Please.” She looked into his eyes. “That’s what I need you to do. Make sure she’s safe.” She walked to him, passing between the men holding him still, and pressed her lips to his. “Please.”
    â€œNo,” the emperor said.
    â€œWhat?” She spun on him. “My sister—”
    â€œâ€”will be found by Goro Okami’s men.”
    Tyrus stiffened. “If you think I would pursue Moria—”
    â€œHe won’t,” Moria said. “If he gives me his word that he’ll go straight after Ashyn, then there is no doubt he will.”
    â€œJust because he stays away from Alvar Kitsune does not mean he’ll be safe. He’s been branded a traitor.”
    It was Tyrus who had been betrayed, by an imperial warlord. But the only witness to return to the imperial city claimed the prince had been seduced by Moria, and that he’d fled the battlefield after leading his men to certain death.
    The emperor continued. “With a bounty on his head, I’ll not have him roaming the lands.”
    â€œI am a man, not a child,” Tyrus said, his voice chilling. “Perhaps you forget that. I can do as I wish.”
    â€œNot if your emperor commands otherwise.”
    â€œAnd if my emperor acts as a father and not a ruler?”
    â€œHe acts as both.”
    Tyrus leaped back. The move was perfectly timed—the warriors had been intently following the conversation. They were caught off guard. Tyrus’s sword swung up, hitting one blade and then a second, and both were knocked free of the men’s grasps. Then he swung on the third, but the warrior was