They all had lips chapped from thirst and rib bones poking through their shirts.

Only one was older.

“Cion . . .” I started to say, but he launched at me with such ferocity, I barely got my sword up in time.

He swung again, barely missing cutting into my scalp. I ducked under the blow and turned to face him. I blocked the sword streaking toward me, but I didn’t see the kick that landed me on my back.

I hadn’t even sucked in a breath before metal slid across either side of the metal cuff protecting my throat. Cion stood over me, the blades of his forked sword pinning me to the ground.

“Good job, Dimic,” Cion said.

“Told you I’d caught her,” Dimic boasted from somewhere off to my left. “And we weren’t even followed. Does this make up for being taken to the arena?”

Something dark passed over Cion’s face, and he ignored the question. He kicked the sword from my hand. I sucked in air as pain radiated through my fingers.

“You can’t be sure you weren’t followed.” Cion ground the forks of his blade a little closer against my cuff, forcing me to dig deeper into the blazing sand to breathe. “How many men did you lead here, Princess?”

“I didn’t lead anyone here. I’m as much a fugitive as you are, and I need your help.”

“We’re not falling for your lies.”

“She was being chased by the guards and Rodric,” Dimic offered. “And she saved Lister at the well.”

“Just more of their royal tricks,” Cion said. He leered over me, the loose strands of his hair almost reaching my face. “What was your plan? Make us think you were on the run? From whom? And”—he kicked the empty water flask at my waist—“leaving without water? If you were going to trick us, you should’ve at least made it convincing.”

“Rodric is my next opponent in the arena. I can’t beat him. He’s too good, but . . .” I prayed Cion responded to flattery, because I didn’t want either end of his blade to get any closer to my neck. “But you’re the best fighter in the desert. You could train me.” I forced myself to meet his gaze.

Cion scoffed, an unreadable look passing across his face. “You want me to train you so you can keep your place in the palace? Why would I want to do that? I’d be much happier watching you and Rodric fight it out.” The desert breeze dragged his hair across his forehead.

“Do you really want Rodric on the throne?” I replied, unable to hide the rage searing around inside me. “Do you think any of your boys will receive just trials under his reign?”

“No,” Cion said. He flipped a few strands out of his eyes. “But I don’t want you ruling either.” He moved his sword a little, and the blades grated against the cuff.

I swallowed.

“In exchange,” I said, “I could give you access to one of the wells.”