Chapter 171: Awareness

Bolton’s mouth parted. Slowly, she shook her head. “But they sent you to Endovier. You were supposed to be in Endovier with—” Bolton’s eyes widened. “You speak the Eyllwe of the peasants—of those enslaved in Endovier. That was how you learned.” Jane’s breathing became a bit difficult. Bolton’s lips trembled. “You went . . . you went to Endovier? Endovier is a death camp. But . . . why did you not tell me? Do you not trust me?”

“Of course I do,” she said. Especially now that she’d proven beyond a doubt that she wasn’t the one responsible for those murders. “I was ordered by the king not to speak a word of it.”

“A word of what?” Bolton said sharply, blinking back her tears. “The king knows you’re here? He gives you orders?”

“I’m here for his amusement.” Jane sat up straighter in bed. “I’m here because he’s hosting a competition to be the King’s Champion. And after I win

—if I win, I’m to work for the king for four years as his lackey and assassin. And then I’ll be freed, and my name cle