"You said you wanted to help me," he said.
"I did."
"Then stay away from Elias Marwood."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because," he said without hesitation, "if he knows you matter to me… even a little, he'll use you."
Liora stared at him.
"Do I matter?" she asked quietly.
Lucien turned to face her. For a moment, he didn't answer. Then he handed her the scroll and said, "That's the list of families who supported my exile. I want you to memorize them."
She took it, confused.
"I thought we were talking about Elias."
"We are," he said. "He's tied to two of those names."
"And you want me to stay away because you care… or because I'm a liability?"
Lucien looked at her like she'd asked something dangerous. Then he murmured, "Both."
Before she could react, Rowan burst in.
"There's a messenger from the royal court," he said, out of breath. "He bears the king's seal."
Lucien's expression darkened instantly.
"From Alden?" he asked.
