“So you truly are the spy,” frowned Lady Mystic. “I knew that you helped Rhoda escape, but how do you get any information to Emperor Marak?”
“I used the air tunnel that your father is so keen to learn about,” smiled Aakuta.
“You know how to use an air tunnel?” gasped Lady Mystic. “You could have used that information to save yourself. Vand would have let you live if you gave it to him.”
“I would rather die than see him possess such knowledge,” spat Aakuta. “Rhoda felt the same way. No matter who interrogated her, they would never have learned the secret of the air tunnel. In fact, she was responsible for the destruction and death of her first interrogator. She had fully expected to die in her own attack. Vand should realize that Marak’s people would never betray him.”
“You would rather die?” Lady Mystic retorted scornfully. “What about what it does to me? You profess your love for me, but have you thought about how all of this affects me? I would rather that you did not die.”
“I have thought a great deal about you,” admitted Aakuta. “I wish that I had never met you. At least that way you would never have become hurt by my actions, but I cannot change history. You are wrong about your father, though. Oh, Vand would gratefully accept my knowledge of the air tunnel, but he would not reward me for it. He would kill me just the same. You truly do not understand that fiend, even after what he has done to you.”
“His action was justified,” frowned Lady Mystic. “I betrayed him. What would you expect him to do? Emperor Marak would do the same to you.”
“That is where you are wrong,” smiled Aakuta. “Emperor Marak, like the Sakovans, is capable of forgiveness. My daughter’s people forgave me for everything that I did that endangered them. I could not understand that attitude at first, but I do understand it now. It is how your father should have reacted to you, but he didn’t. Doesn’t that tell you something? If your father truly loved you, he would never order your removal from his presence. Vand cares for no one but himself.”