13. Chapter Thirteen: Theo

Chapter Thirteen – Theo

A fter escape attempt number twelve is thwarted (Theo attempts to force the lovelace food down the throat of the guard delivering it; though he successfully incapacitates the first guard and recovers the keys, while sneaking out of the cage the second enters and knocks him over the head), the Third Blessed Prince makes his daily visit, this time with his trusty guard in tow.

Theo has trouble concentrating on anything Cathalan is saying because the smell of Luka on the Third Blessed Prince's lips is impossibly strong. Anger warps his vision, turning the dusty motes of sunlight a hazy red as he stares at the man.

What have you done to my Siacchian?

"You see, Wolf Prince – or whatever your name is," Cathalan is saying. "I never wanted my marriage to turn out like this. Had it not been for Effa, I wouldn't even be trying my hand at the throne." Cathalan sighs and exchanges glances with Darri.

Today, the Third Blessed Prince has dressed himself in pure white robes. The color makes his gold-brown skin appear to glow. A long red scarf is the only splash of color, left to drape across the expanse of his shoulders.

Darri looks much the same as he always does, wearing his reflective snakeskin armor. The scales catch the sunlight and bask the room in hundreds of tiny rainbows. He crosses his arms over his chest when he meets Theo's enraged gaze.

"But my siblings are not meant for politics." Cathalan nods. "No, they would surely make a mess of our relationships with the North. They don't realize that vendettas can be put to bed with conversation, not more bloodshed. I'm sure you've realized this as well."

He pauses, as if waiting for Theo to reply. Theo is too busy being oddly grateful for the lovelace he was forced to consume the day before and for how dulled his wolf has become. It means his mouth has enough human teeth to reply with his muttered, "Yes."

"See? I told you Darri! We couldn't possibly have that many assassins in our midst."

Theo lifts his head. His stomach growls as he moves, a pitiful sound. Over two weeks of mostly drugged food and water has weakened him. With every escape attempt now, he is careful to consider how much energy he must expend and how much his body has left to provide. He won't be able to keep up this game for much longer.

"Assassins?" Theo repeats.

"Yes! I'm sure you've eavesdropped on us discussing the Wolf's Teeth?"

Darri shoots Cathalan a look, but Cathalan waves his guard's worry away. "Sure, he was drugged the first half a dozen times, but he's got to have picked up on it at some point . He's supposed to be known for his brains, after all."

Theo grinds his teeth as Cathalan continues. The Third Blessed Prince crouches so he and Theo are eye level. "I know you came here with a partner, and I'm confident I've correctly sussed out who that person is." He smiles.

Theo becomes aware of the growl leaking from his throat. He attempts to abort the noise.

"Yes," Cathalan says as he holds Theo's gaze. "That's the kind of reaction I suspected I would get. Look at you, fearless Wolf Prince. Finally found a weakness, have you?"

"If you do anything to him…"

"Do anything to him?" Cathalan licks his lips. "What about marry him?"

Theo lunges at the bars of the prison, but as always, they do not bend beneath his rage.

Cathalan looks back at Darri, his face bright with amusement. "See?"

Darri shakes his head. "You were right." He passes Cathalan a piece of gold.

"You see, Wolf Prince," Cathalan says, spreading his arms. "This has all been well and good, but I know your partner has been lying to me about the situation back in his capital. I know that things there are more dire than he ever let on, and that he cannot give me the alliance I need. But, I've come to the conclusion that perhaps he can be more useful to me in… other ways."

Theo's hands tighten painfully. No. It can't end like this. If Cathalan has already discovered Luka's true identity, then it won't be long until Luka's fate comes to the same conclusion as Theo's.

There has to be another way.

"I thought you said you would marry him," Theo manages to say, voice strangled.

"The two don't have to be mutually exclusive." Cathalan smiles.

Realization cools Theo's fear.

There is another way.

"You won't harm him," Theo says, voice nothing but confidence.

Cathalan remains in his crouch, his gaze intent. "More threats, Wolf Prince?"

"Not threats. A deal. You won't lay a hand on him because I'm going to give you what you want."

"And what is that?"

Theo pauses, considering the power of his next words. Could it really be so simple?

"The border," Theo says. "The borders we skirmished over. You can have it."

Darri blinks. Cathalan walks to the far end of the prison, standing beneath the small window and staring out into the gray day. He examines the tiny wisps of clouds just visible through the bars, his back to Theo. Theo's quiet hopes that the Third Blessed Prince would crumple into ash under the cloudy beams of sunlight die when Cathalan doesn't even so much as flinch. The Prince breathes deep before he repeats, "The border? No, Wolf Prince, I would never trade your… friend for something so small. I need more."

"You can have far beyond that –"

"I don't care for your snowy wastelands, Wolf Prince. I want the mines. I want the metal. Surely you must understand how invaluable the salt mines and coal mines are? Think of all I could accomplish if you were to return to me the South's rightful territory."

Theo forces himself to remain calm. "I can't give you so much of the North, but I can help bring peace between our two nations. The North and South have been squabbling over who owns what land since my birth. Let's bring an end to that. An alliance."

"Squabbling over land that your people took from us," Darri says, but Cathalan raises a hand.

I've got his attention. I just need to keep spinning this thread, and I will have him.

Theo continues, "We can come to some sort of an agreement, I'm sure." He unsteadily rises to his feet. His ears roar and darkness swims before him. He steadies himself using the cell bars. "Kitera cannot fight a war on all fronts. We need allies – and you need allies to secure the throne. Starting your new rule by making peace with the country that has been your enemy for decades? That's sure to instill confidence in your people – and your siblings."

Cathalan crosses his arms. "But the Siacchians have been our allies even longer than the Kiterans have been our enemies."

"You know though that the situation in the capital – in Cesscounthe – has changed for the worse. You must know you cannot trust Linne Lockehart. You would be much better allied with someone you can trust. Someone you can understand."

"Like you?"

"No. I know because of what I've done to you that you can never trust me." Theo reaches the end of his cell, standing as close as he can to Cathalan. He stares at the man's back, urging him to turn, to see the faint desperation in his eyes. "Someone like Luka." Speaking his name feels impossibly damning, but there is no time for games, not now. Not with Luka's life on the line. Not when Theo is so close to saving his mate.

Cathalan stares at the darkening morning. "You think you can just tell Luka about this deal and he'll go along with it?" He chuckles. "You must not know him very well."

"I can convince him," Theo growls.

A low rumble rolls through the prison – a distant storm.

"Cath," Darri says.

"I know." Cathalan runs a hand through his hair, untangling the circlet. He stares at the piece of metal, rolling the thin gold between his fingers. "I want more than just an alliance though, Wolf Prince," he murmurs. "I want Cesscounthe. I want Siacchi."

"I can't do that," is Theo's automatic response.

Cathalan shakes his head. "Then no deal."

"But I can –"

Cathalan holds up a hand. "Tell me, Wolf Prince: how much is Luka's life worth to you?"

Theo presses his lips together as his logic wars with his beast. How much is your tool worth to you? is what Cathalan has asked him, and the answer should be obvious: Luka is worth nothing. Luka is replaceable.

But he finds himself unable to say those words because – because Luka is worth so much more than a city or country or years of Theo's life dedicated in service to a man he hates.

Thunder strikes like a slap. Lightening flickers, casting a cold white glow over Cathalan's profile.

The towering walls of Cesscounthe flash through Theo's mind. The promise he made, all those months ago, to the Elders. He said he would return home only when the rulers of Cesscounthe are in pieces.

He never said that the hand that would destroy the Siacchians would be his.

I would be promising Luka's home to another.

But if this would keep Luka safe – if it would earn Theo's freedom – what other choice does he have?

"Kitera will help you claim the Western kingdom," Theo finally says. "So long as you allow us the chance to carve out our own piece of land – and flesh."

Cathalan smiles. "Perfect. You have yourself a deal, Wolf Prince."

"Theodori. My name is Theodori Hunter Wolf-Born."

"Theodori." Cathalan's grin widens. His canines are just a little too long. "You can call me Cathalan."

The two men exchange nods.

Another roll of thunder shakes the prison. Again, Darri addresses the Third Blessed Prince with a muttered, "Cath –"

"I know, I know. Well, Theodori, you can expect your freedom shortly. But first, I have a wedding I need to get to."

As the prince and his guard leave the prison, Theo sinks to his knees, closing his eyes. Luka, married to another? And Siacchi, lost. That is the cost Theo must pay to save them both.

As Theo buries his face in his hands and laughs softly, a faint sound fills the prison – a sound Theo has not heard in a long time:

Rain.