Page 192 of A Touch of Poison
“Did you?” The queen raised an eyebrow at Bastian.
“No.”
She blasted a sigh. “Then I have no choice but to decide your punishment.”
“The rules are clear,” Cyrus said with a lilt that told me he would enjoy Bastian’s punishment.
“But if he hadn’t brought me here, I’d be dead.” I stared from the queen to Cyrus.
“Your Majesty,” came a voice from the back of the room. “Cousin.” In the doorway that led to Dusk, Asher bowed before approaching. “Technically, there would still be a bargain if both parties received the agreed upon benefit.” He raised his eyebrows at Bastian, prompting.
Bastian remained silent, giving the slightest shake of his head.
“That is true.” The queen inclined her head, expression easing a touch. “What did you give her husband in return?”
I frowned up at him. He hadn’t mentioned any exchange. Asher was clutching at straws and, from the look on Bastian’s face, coming up empty handed.
Did this mean I’d be sent back to Albion? My antidote and cure—they couldn’t send me back knowing it would kill me. Surely—surelythat was worse than breaking the contract between me and that man.
As if he felt my hatred, Robin shuffled and scowled at the floor.
“Bastian,” Asher said from between gritted teeth, eyes widening.
Bastian lifted his chin, though his gaze remained downcast. “I wanted to bring her here, and I did.”
A growl laced the queen’s breath out, and Cyrus wore that awful smile again.
My pulse thundered like the stags’ galloping hooves as we’d tried to escape the Ascendants. We’d survived them and finally got past every bloody thing that had kept us apart for so long, only to now be divided by this.
This.
I wanted to scream.
“Bastian paid him.”
Every pair of eyes in the throne room turned to Asher.
I blinked. “Paid?”
“No,” Bastian rasped. “Don’t—”
“If you won’t defend yourself, I will.” Asher lifted one hand. “Bastian wanted to bring her here. The husband refused.” He shot Robin a look as he raised his other hand in balance. “Then he demanded a large sum of money, which Bastian paid. Both sides of the bargain were fulfilled.”
“You…” I stared at Robin, mouth hanging open. “You demanded payment before you’d let him bring me hereto save my life.”
He didn’t even have the good grace to look at me.
So much for ninety-five percent arsehole.
How had I ever believed anything else?
“I’m sorry,” Bastian murmured, bending close despite the glares. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to feel like an object bought and sold.”
Trying to protect me. Of course. “I knowyoudon’t think that.”
Robin spluttered. “But we didn’t shake hands. I didn’t say the words.” He stared from the queen to Cyrus. “You said it only counted if I made a bargain.”
“As Asher says, you received yourpayment.” Cyrus spread his hands, though his lip curled like even he found the idea distasteful. With a momentary wince, he turned to the queen. “Your Majesty, I am satisfied the human is here legally.”
