The Traitor's Ruin (The Traitor's Circle #2)

Clare shook her head. “You should’ve copied the foreign ones next to each other. When you see them side by side, it’s obvious the structure of Casmuni is identical to Kimisar. Verb conjugation, too.”

“That makes sense,” said Sage. “They share a common history, which makes it a bit odd that for many of the agreements, Demora acted as a go-between for them, like they didn’t want to talk to each other.”

“I noticed that, too. What is it that they share? I never learned anything about them in my lessons.”

Sage rolled her eyes. “I know. Judging by the majority of our history books, you’d think the world began when Demora was united.”

“Well, we count our years from then.”

“Exactly. Five hundred and ten years isn’t long in the scheme of the world.” Sage stretched her arms over her head and groaned. She’d been hunched over the table for too many hours. “Uncle William had a set of Kimisar history books, though, which was one reason I got so good at the language. Apparently, both Kimisar and Casmuni came from the same southwest region of the continent. They were a mostly nomadic people, as their land was poor for farming.”

“Like Tasmet?” said Clare. “I remember how rocky and almost barren it was when we passed through last year.”

Sage nodded. “Yes, like that. They spread over the continent, never settling anywhere, even where the land was better, because it was occupied. The east side of the Catrix Mountains is mostly desert, though, so they ignored it. Then they discovered the Kaz River had an uninhabited fertile area far to the south. Some of their people began settling there.”

“Did they simply grow apart?” asked Clare.

“Basically. Over time they felt less and less loyalty to each other. The eastern people grew rich in resources and knowledge, which is how so much of the history was recorded. An explosion in population and sea trade in the north here pushed the Kimisar back south, where they struggled.” Sage pointed to the map of Demora on the wall. “Back then, Demora didn’t exist, and everything south of Jovan on both sides of the mountains was considered Kimisara, but it wasn’t really a nation. The Casmuni, as they now called themselves, battled the Kimisar along the Kaz River, culminating at a place called Yanli. It was a horrible, lopsided defeat for the Kimisar due to some kind of weapon the Casmuni had developed, and they retreated back into the lands they occupy now. All that was over a hundred years before Demora was united.”

“And they still hate each other to this day?”

Sage shrugged. “Who knows now? We used to be friendly with Casmun, as you can see by these agreements, but the D’Amiran royal family refused to provide military aid in 291 when Kimisara tried to invade Casmun, and they haven’t spoken to us since. If they’re still holding a grudge over two hundred years later, it’s not hard to imagine the same long feelings toward Kimisara.”

“Fascinating.” Clare ran her fingers over a copied page. “And what we learn from these documents could be critical in our reconciliation.”

“That might be overstating it,” said Sage. “But it could help with the first step, maybe speed up the process.”

“Did you tell Captain Quinn about this?”

Sage frowned. “Judging from how upset he was that I knew anything about the Norsari, I decided not to, yet. Have you told Ambassador Gramwell?”

“He knows about the trade agreements and that I’ve been copying them for Sir Francis,” said Clare. “I didn’t want to mention what all we could learn until I was sure it would be anything useful.”

“Good idea, though we can tell the queen everything.” Sage’s stomach abruptly growled loud enough for Clare to hear. “I’m starving. Let’s call it a night.”

“Can we have something brought here? I’d like to keep working.”

Sage raised her eyebrows. “I figured you’d be wanting to walk with Lieutenant Gramwell tonight. He’s leaving the day after tomorrow.”

“This is more important right now,” Clare said. “You’re more important.”

Sage was suddenly close to tears for the third time that day. “Clare, I really am sorry I didn’t talk to you first.”

“I know.” Clare smiled softly. “You do tend to act before you calm down, but I think I was mostly jealous. You’ll see the captain every day. And Luke, too.”

“I think it will be much less fun than it sounds,” said Sage. “I don’t know why he’s so against having me with him.” She glanced at the darkening sky outside the window. “He’ll be waiting for me soon, wanting to try to talk me out of it again.”

“Sage?” Clare smirked a little. “Let him wait.”





18

ALEX SPRINTED TO the garden, though he knew it was much too late for Sage to still be there. The king had called him up to discuss the rules of engagement for this mission, and after that he’d been caught in a conversation with Colonel Traysden on training methods. He reached the willow tree and pushed into the branches, calling her name, but got no answer.

He was almost glad not to see her. Waiting over two hours wouldn’t have done anything for her temper. By now she would have gone to bed.

Alex made his way to her room, taking a longer route through the corridors so he could rehearse what he wanted to say. Though it would be motivated mostly to get in her good graces, he’d apologize. He was sorry, but he had to figure out how to get her to listen to him. By objecting outright to her coming, he’d set her on it like a fighting dog. Alex had to calm her down and make her see reason, which was difficult when the thought of her coming along made him panic and forget his own logic.

Her door was in front of him before he was ready. After glancing around, he bent over to look under the door. Completely dark. She was asleep.

He should wake her up, he decided, and had his fist in the air to knock when he imagined her answering the door, dressed in nothing but a shift, her sweet-smelling hair tumbling over her shoulders and down her back, eyes bleary from sleep and possibly red from crying. It would be like the day after he’d told her who he really was, when he would have done anything to take back what he’d put her through. Sweet Spirit, he’d be on his knees begging her forgiveness in a matter of seconds.

And if she forgave him, he’d be in her room, kissing her in the dark, holding her while she wore next to nothing, wanting nothing more than to lose themselves in each other.

The night would end with them in bed together.

Alex stepped back from the door. No, not now. Not while they were both so unable to think clearly.

Tomorrow. First thing.





19

SAGE DIDN’T REGRET a single minute of working with Clare late into the night, but she still needed to sort things out with Alex. Tomorrow would be the last day before the Norsari left Tennegol, and he’d be busy from dawn till midnight. She didn’t want to have their argument hanging over and interfering with what he needed to get done. Fortunately, she knew where to catch him in the morning.

All 250 Norsari recruits exercised as a group at sunrise before going for a long run in the hills behind the palace. Sage was sitting on the fence post of a horse pen as the soldiers began straggling back, most carrying their shirts and all looking as though they’d rinsed off in the icy brook outside the gate. Alex was last, his shirt draped over his neck. She’d known he wouldn’t have left anyone behind.

Sage hopped to the ground and picked up the waterskin she’d brought with her. “Thirsty, Captain?” she called.

He jumped and turned at the sound of her voice. Without waiting for his reply, she tossed the waterskin at him, and he caught it. After a wary look, Alex tilted it up and let the stream wash his face before aiming for his mouth.

Sage couldn’t resist staring. She’d seen him shirtless before, when he was wounded and unconscious at Tegann, but then she’d been too busy cleaning away blood, terrified he’d never wake up. This was different.