Yet he kept the room intact.

“Come see where I spend most of my time,” he said.

I hesitated.

“You have a dirty mind, my dear. It’s not what you think.”

Ducking my head to hide the blush of heat spreading across my cheeks, I followed him from the throne room. Tohon navigated the complex maze of hallways with ease. He cut through ballrooms, sitting rooms and drawing rooms without a glance at the lavish furnishings, crystal chandeliers and priceless artwork.

Then we climbed the stairs. They spiraled around and around until I felt dizzy. Each turn, I glimpsed the surrounding countryside. A thick forest covered in light green fuzz spread across the lands to the south. In a few weeks, the southern landscape would resemble an emerald carpet. I wondered if Kerrick’s eye color would change as it had from autumn to winter. The gray color matched his coldness. Would a vibrant green help soften his face? Perhaps. Would it soften his personality? Probably not.

I pulled my thoughts from Kerrick to my situation. The huge castle would take weeks to search if I didn’t get lost or wasn’t locked in a cell. Both were possibilities.

“Here we are,” Tohon said.

We had finally reached the top of the stairs. Two of his guards took up positions next to the door, while the other two remained a few steps below me. The plain stone door reminded me of the prison back in Jaxton. Unease rippled. Was this where Tohon tortured his prisoners? Or where he animated the dead? Icy goose bumps coated my skin.

He opened the door. I braced for an assault of horrors. Instead, bright light and humid air rushed out. The heady mix of living green, moist earth and fresh flowers filled my nose. Tohon disappeared into the sunshine. I stepped into the… What to call it?

Stunned, I gaped at the greenery. Trees, bushes, flowers, hanging vines, pools of water and birds all contained in a rectangular glass room.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Tohon asked. “This is my forever garden. The only nice thing my father did for me. Of course, I had to convince him of the benefits of having medicinal plants and herbs close by. It’s heated in the winter. And because it’s up here it gets sunlight all day. What do you think?”

“It’s…lovely. You spend most of your time here?”

“As much as I can. Wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, I would.” I walked around the garden. Containers full of soil held the plants and trees. Others held water. Moisture dripped from the clear glass walls. Even the ceiling had been constructed of glass. The view was unobstructed on three sides and as breathtaking as the garden.

“Did you plant this room?” I asked.

“Yes. Living things do well under my care.” He gave me a wry smile, acknowledging the irony. “As long as I care about them.” Then he sobered. “People, on the other hand, are not worth caring for.”

Sounded like something his father might have said.

“Even your loyal subjects?” I asked, glancing at the bodyguards standing by the single entrance.

“My subjects don’t lack for the basic necessities and are well protected. They are taken care of.”

“Including your magicians?”

“Are you worried, my dear?” Tohon moved to take my hand.

I stepped out of his reach. “Of course. I’d be stupid not to be.”

“You have nothing to fear as long as you don’t cause trouble.”

“And if I do?”

“Do you really want me to spell it out for you? Give you the details? There are cells below—”

“No.” I did another loop around the garden. Kerrick would love this. Touching the leaves, I half expected to feel the tingle of his magic. Nothing. Disappointment panged for a moment.

“Is your forever garden the only thing you care for?” I asked.

“Oh, no. I care for the fate of the Fifteen Realms. We’ve lost so many leaders and the actions of certain survivors have been horrific. I’m sure you’ve encountered some of them. But one single leader will be able to unite those who wish to return to civility and don’t wish to be forced to worship a nonexistent entity. The creator. Pah!” He waved a dismissive hand. “Has this divine being created an army from the dead? No.” He stepped closer. His fiery conviction smoldered in his gaze. “I care for you, my dear. I plan to cherish you.”

I stared at him. “Why?”

“You possess a number of qualities I admire. Intelligence, beauty and your powerful healing magic.” He sidled closer. “One of a kind.”

“Only because you killed all the other healers.” And Belen’s sister, and a whole long list of others. Logical Avry needed to remind Emotional Avry of this often.

“I wasn’t referring to your magic, my dear. I meant you’re the only one Kerrick has fallen in love with since Jael. And I tried to take Jael from him. Tried for years. I didn’t tempt her, but that bastard Stanslov did.”

Tohon stood inches from me. How did he manage that? He took my hands in his just like Kerrick had done before I left for this mission.

I knew I should pull away, yet I remained in place. “You’re mistaken about Kerrick. He only cared for Ryne. Once his prince was no longer savable, he had no problem parting ways with me.”

Cold calculation sharpened his gaze. “I’ve heard the rumors about Sepp. Is he truly dead?”

Could I lie to him while he held my hands? I focused on the image of the carnage in the cave. It had burned deep into my memory. Revulsion and horror flowed through me and I met his gaze. “Yes. No one survived the attack.”