69
Jori
Royce’s grip on Jori’s arm was a vise. The hold suggested Jori was a wild animal that would bolt at the first opportunity. But he had no desire to bolt at the moment. He fought to catch his breath as he crouched with the guard among garbage. His boots half-slid over nameless foodstuffs ground into the floor, peels and gristle and slimy pits.
Jori’s frantic thoughts circled around the smell like a bird of prey. Thala was usually the servant who took care of the trash in the lower kitchen. He kissed her once. Had she been killed in the first attack too? Shame prickled across his skin like insect legs. He hadn’t thought of her one time since the palace burned. His mind had been too full of Atty. But more than his brother had lost their lives.
Like Viktor.
After sprinting out of t
