In boarding school Tohon had wanted one thing: to be crowned king in his final year. Instead, Ryne had won the crown. But to Tohon, it was considerably more than a political exercise. He desired a kingdom more than anything. What would he do to gain it?

I stopped, shocked to my core, gaping at Tohon’s serene expression. “You spread the plague. You murdered six million people.”

“It’s not murder, my dear. It’s called biological warfare.”

* * *

“Avry, wake up.” Odd sat on the edge of the cot. “You’re yelling in your sleep.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me. You’re the one dreaming about Tohon.”

Oh, great, I’d called Tohon’s name. “I—”

“No need to explain. I understand. Tohon’s the stuff of nightmares.”

Sitting up, I said, “Is it time to go?”

“Soon. Cook made us a pot of oatmeal. Go and eat breakfast before we leave. Everything looks better with a full stomach.” He patted his.

“Odd’s philosophy on life?”

He smiled. “Is there any other?”

“Not worth listening to, I’m sure.”

“Damn straight.”

After consuming a bowl of steaming oatmeal, I gathered my pack and joined the monkeys, Flea, and the odd squad outside the cave. The coming dawn turned the eastern sky a charcoal gray. Odd signaled and, without a word, we headed northwest to the rendezvous point.

My thoughts returned to my dream. Had Tohon released the plague as a form of biological warfare, or was it just me thinking devious thoughts? The only reason Tohon’s efforts to become king of all the realms had any chance of succeeding was because of the plague. Did it matter if he’d caused it or not? That knowledge couldn’t change the past, and everyone already knew he was a monster. Why couldn’t he try what Jael did and marry into the position? If the plague hadn’t killed Estrid’s son, Stanslov, it would have worked for Jael.

I returned to Tohon. Would he create a second form of the plague to use later? Kerrick had said one of Tohon’s spies had attacked Ryne before he fell ill. The assassin had wrapped his hands around the prince’s throat. And Yuri’s encounter with the enemy had resulted in a gash on his neck. Did that mean the attackers were sick, too? They had killed the man who’d touched Ryne, but Yuri’s opponent might still be alive. Doubtful I could find him, though.