Saphire POV
Alberto shifted in his seat. He hardly ever seemed uncomfortable, but I could swear that, in this moment, he couldn't meet my eyes.
"What did you do?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he shook his head. "I signed away a century of tithes and a strategic Northern pass just to get you out of there. I’ve weakened the borders for you."
Stunned, I stared at him. He had bartered land and power—the very foundations of his rule—in exchange for me. Was I really that special?
"You could have just let me go, Alberto," I began, my voice trembling.
But he was not having any of that. "I can’t," he snapped, his voice raw. The sooner you understand that, the better for the both of us,"
I shrank back, hearing the threat in his voice. How could it be that I was
