I felt arms come around me as a female voice reverberated through the room,“Enough! On your feet!”
In a quickwhoosh, the blood beneath my skin cooled, and my hands loosened. I got to my feet, swaying, breathing hard, wondering what I’d been so upset about a few seconds before. Linette stood beside me, also having calmed.
“Ms. Haines,” said the woman. “We leave now.” She looked at the other guard and jutted her chin toward Linette with menace. “You deal with that one.”
It wasn’t until I was exiting the gates and climbing into the vehicle that it hit me what I’d just done. What the actual hell had come over me? Pure, crazed fear for Tater, was what, but fighting? It’s the worst thing I could’ve done. What would happen to Linette? Guilt soured my stomach all over again, and I closed my eyes.
“Are you going to be ill?” the driver asked me.
I pried my eyes open and shook my head. “No.”
Then I forced myself to think about Tater. I wanted to deny it and tell myself that Linette had been mistaken, but I knew she was right. I thought about how strangely calm he’d been at breakfast. How he’d left Ronaldo behind that morning. The skirmish in the night that ended in a bloody nose and yelling.
Dear God . . . Tater’s mind was no longer his own, and Linette was right. It was my fault. I turned my head as far to the side as I could manage so that the driver wouldn’t catch sight of my wet eyes. And then I fought the urge to cry, swallowing and taking deep breaths, blinking rapidly.
I had to see Senator Navis. I had to assure him that Tater wasn’t a threat, and that there was nothing between us. My dress was damp with sweat by the time we arrived at the Palace. To my surprise, the Senator was waiting at the entrance, hands in the pockets of his slacks, backed by an entourage of guards.
When I approached, he pushed his sleeves up to his elbows and examined me.
“I understand you were in a physical altercation with another female this morning?” He’d already heard? Stupid walkie-talkies. I dropped my eyes and clasped my hands in front of me. Lack of breakfast was making me shake harder.
“I’m sorry, sir. It was a misunderstanding.”
“Hm.” Long pause, then, “Come with me, Ms. Haines.”
I wasn’t sure how my feet moved, but I followed. He held out a hand toward an office, and I entered, surprised when he closed us up in the room together, alone. Once again. This time, the tension immediately zinged between us, and the combined emotions of fear, distrust, and lust was like a live wire in the room. My chest heaved with nervousness as I watched him, standing there looking as calm as ever.
“You are no longer safe in Primo Town.”
My forehead pinched. “What?”
“When you were brought there yesterday during the small skirmish with rebels, your first instinct was to seek out an old friend, am I correct?”
My skin went hot then cold, and I gave a small nod. “He makes me think of my best friend. I was just making sure he knew of the danger . . . so he could help the town and the Baelese if it got out of hand.”
The Senator’s smile was warm. “Your reasons are noble, Ms. Haines, but I fear the nature of Mr. Tate’s reasons are not as respectable.”
“No.” I shook my head. “He is an innocent. I swear—”
“I have seen him watch you. As have my guards. His eyes follow you.”
“No.” More head shaking.
The Senator stepped closer. “I know the urges of human men, and their lack of self-control when it comes to such things.”
A sob rose up and I covered my mouth against it. “Please!” I sobbed again. “It’s not like that. He would never hurt me, or—or take advantage of me. Iswear.”
“And the woman? An officer of the former U.S. Army? Did she attack you?”
I was full on sobbing now, terrified and humiliated.
“We . . . she . . .” Oh, my gosh. I had no idea what to say!
“She is jealous of you?” he offered.
Er . . . doubtful. I wiped my face, as he nodded.
“I’m sorry, sir. Neither of us slept well after the uprising yesterday, and then the noise from the men’s dormitory.”
