“Let go.” My voice cracked since Emotional Avry was ready to rip her and Tohon’s clothes off right here in the courtyard in front of the soldiers.

Amusement sparked in his gorgeous blue eyes. “How was your first real kiss, my dear?”

Unbelievable. I desired a second, third, fourth.... Logical Avry said, “Let go, now.”

“No. I’m king—I give the orders, not take them.”

“You’re not my king. If you want my cooperation, you’ll release me.”

“It’ll only take a few more kisses, my dear, and you’ll be more than happy to do what I say.”

“Won’t work.” And who was I trying to convince?

“It has with others.” Tohon’s playful tone held a warning note.

“Not with everyone,” Logical Avry guessed. Emotional Avry was still reeling from the kiss.

Tohon’s arms around my back stiffened. I’d hit a nerve.

“You don’t want to manipulate me,” I said. “Trust me on that. You need a healer. Do you want her scatterbrained and swooning over your every kiss? Or do you want me clearheaded and able to do my job?”

His grip relaxed a bit. “You do swoon so well. And it’s so exciting to know my Avry is untouched by man.”

“Because of you,” I said. “Three years on the run from bounty hunters doesn’t give a girl much time to have a love life.”

“And Nasty Kerrick keeps such a tight lid on his emotions.” He tsked. “My apologies about the bounty. I will lift it, my dear.”

“Good. Now let go.”

“Clearheaded and cooperative?”

“Let go and we can discuss conditions and terms.”

Tohon wilted. “Spoken like a legal adviser. All right, my dear. We’ll try it your way first.”

He released me. Emotional Avry fought to return to his arms, but Logical Avry kept a tight grip until the other settled.

“Come inside. We’ll talk terms.” Tohon held his hand out.

I ignored it. “There has to be witnesses before I agree to anything.”

“Why bother? They’re all loyal to me.”

“Humor me.”

“You’ve no idea how agreeable I’m being, my dear.”

Which worried me more than if he refused my request. He and four of his bodyguards strode toward the main entrance of the castle. I noted that only living guards were inside the complex as I followed him. The two-story-high stone doors parted for us without a squeak. I marveled at the skill needed to carve the intricate floral designs into the black obsidian.

Tohon noticed my stare. “Beautiful, aren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“My father had them commissioned from the craftsmen in Bavly. A decent battering ram will smash them into pieces, but my father preferred beauty over strength.” He glanced at me. “He didn’t realize he could have both.” Tohon swept a hand out, indicating the large receiving room. Arched columns supported the ceiling. Gold-framed paintings hung on the walls. Vases and other sculptures sat on pedestals.

“This place is filled with my father’s treasures. He spent an inordinate amount of time buying and collecting them. Inanimate objects that remain where he placed them years ago, collecting dust. Still here even though he is gone. Useless except they remind me that my father cared more for treasure than me.”

Surprised by his honesty, I glanced at him.

“A harsh thing to say,” he acknowledged. “And a harsh reality to admit, but once I admitted it to myself, it was quite liberating.”

“Why tell me?”

“I’m sure Kerrick has brainwashed you into thinking I’m a monster. I’m not. Not only do I seek your cooperation, but your loyalty, as well.”

In my mind, dead army equaled monster. Nothing would convince me otherwise. But I was smart enough to keep my opinion to myself.

Tohon led me into another room. Rich red curtains hung over stained-glass windows. Thick carpets covered the floor. And a huge throne sat on a dais.

“Come see this.” Tohon jumped up on the dais. “My father designed it. Look at the gemstones along the arms and headrest.”

The throne could easily fit Belen and the monkeys. I moved closer, inspecting the jewels. Emeralds, rubies and sapphires had been used in the decoration. The seat of the throne was covered with diamonds. I reached out to touch them, but stopped.

“Go ahead,” Tohon said. “They’re smooth. My father sat on them every day. Visiting dignitaries had no idea King Zavier’s ass rested on a fortune in diamonds. Probably made him feel powerful.”

“Was your father a mage?” I asked.

“No. Both my grandmothers had strong magic, but the gift skipped a generation. When my powers woke at a very young age, I was a constant reminder of his inability to wield magic. And therefore became the perpetual target of his jealousy and hatred.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Tohon shrugged as if the events of the past hadn’t affected him at all. “Made it easier to kill him.”

And just when I thought he might not be pure evil, but closer to touched by evil, he proved me wrong.

“I never use this room,” Tohon said. “My father needed things to believe he was powerful.” He gestured to the throne. “I’ve no need of worldly possessions. I command life itself and I decide who lives and dies. I’ve more power in my pinky than my father ever had.”