MALAKAI’S POV

Talia backed up a step, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her silk gown. "Malakai," she stammered, her eyes scanning the deep, jagged tears across my chest armor. 

"You... you look like a mess. What happened out there? Has the boy been found and brought back?"

"Explain it to me," I ignored her questions and nervous deflection, my voice coming out cold and controlled. "I am genuinely curious, Talia. And all I need is the truth. Why exactly did you lead Kaedryn into the western tunnels and leave him there?"

“To punish him, of course.”

I stood perfectly still, giving her one final chance. “Talia? I want...