And whose fault was that? “You plucked him from the street. He was raised exactly the way you wanted him to be.”

“He had potential,” Roland said, his voice wistful. “So much magic. He was like a fallen star, a glowing meteor. I melted it down and forged it into a sword. You are right, it’s not truly his fault, but the fact remains—the world is becoming more complex, not less. Some swords are meant to be forged only once. It’s better to start fresh.”

Julie. Julie was a glowing meteor too, young and malleable, easy to melt down and reforge. You fucking asshole. You cannot have Julie. Hell would sprout roses first. I unclenched my teeth and forced my voice to sound even. “It would’ve been kinder to kill him.”

Roland’s smile never faltered, but for a moment, the warmth in his eyes cooled and I glimpsed the icy steel beneath. “I am not kind, my daughter. I am fair.”

I had to get out of here before I did something I would regret. But I also had to spring Saiman free and avoid a war with Roland.

“Return Saiman to me.”

“The frost giant left the borders of your city voluntarily. My people didn’t trespass.”

So they lay in wait and nabbed him while he was traveling. Damn it. “It doesn’t matter. His residence is in Atlanta. His business interests are in Atlanta. He owns property, he employs people, and he pays his taxes in Atlanta. He’s mine.”

Roland pondered it for a long moment. “No. I need him.”

Right. Obey the letter of the agreement but not the spirit. “You’re forcing me to act.”

“You don’t even like him.” Roland’s eyes narrowed. “What’s the harm of me keeping the creature?”

“It’s the principle. I would do the same thing if I had never met him before. Return my frost giant, Father.”

“Or?”

“Or I’ll have to retrieve him. I won’t abandon my people.”

“I hate when we fight.” Roland tilted his head. “What if I offer you that life?” He nodded at the cross. “A consolation prize. It bothers you. I can see it in your eyes. You may take Hugh’s second-in-command, daughter. Do with him as you will.”

“Thank you. I will take him since you’re giving him to me. But I still need my frost giant.”

“Do not raise your hand against me, Kate. All you have to do is walk away.”

All of his promises went right out the window as soon as there was something he wanted. The urge to scream in his face was getting to me. Screaming would accomplish nothing, except plunge us into a conflict we weren’t ready for. “Not going to happen.”

He sighed.