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If Jaime had found out about Prestowne, then how long until the rest of Rhodan knew about the slaughter? How would they react? Would there be outright panic?
And how had Jaime found out? The Royal Guard had done their best to keep the devastation under wraps, but of course families would have to be notified and the local economy would be affected. Did Jaime know someone affiliated with the town? Or was he somehow connected to the deaths?
Elyse clearly wasn’t thinking straight. Jaime had waltzed in and bombarded her with a lecture, placing his hands on her like he owned her. And Elyse had let him. Were her feelings for Jaime—past or present—clouding her judgment? Why else would she be blind to his menacing undertones?
“Killian!”
A boy’s cry shook Killian’s wandering mind, halting all his thoughts. Georgie was barreling down the street toward him, a grin splitting his bright face. Though Georgie was only half Killian’s size, the boy collided with him with so much force that it nearly knocked the wind out of Killian.
“Hi, Georgie,” he wheezed, returning his fierce hug.
“Is mum with you?” Georgie asked as he released Killian. He had taken to referring to Killian’s mother as his own, a sentiment that warmed Killian’s heart.
“Not today,” he replied, “but I’ll tell her you’d like to see her soon. What are you doing out here?” He gestured to the street around them, which was several blocks from Georgie’s new home.
“I was going to the cobbler to see about some new shoes—I already grew out of the ones you bought me!” Georgie announced with pride.
Killian took a step back to appraise him. He was long and lanky, and at least an inch taller than Killian remembered him being. His gangly limbs hung awkwardly by his side, his hands nearly reaching to his knees. He looked healthy, a rosy color to his cheeks, which were framed by overlong brown curls.
“At this rate, you’ll be taller than me in two winters’ time,” Killian commented as he and the boy began walking together down the street.
“You think?” Georgie asked. “I’ll definitely be taller than Manny.”
He said it so simply that Killian couldn’t help but burst with laughter. Georgie beamed up at him, clearly pleased with himself for making Killian smile.
“Yes, I reckon you’ll be taller than Manny,” Killian agreed, still grinning.
They meandered down the narrow streets lined with tightly packed houses, the same streets where Killian and his brother Joe had played as children. It stirred both nostalgia and sorrow in his heart as he listened to Georgie’s rambling. He’d once shared the same enthusiasm for such simple things—racing down the alleyways behind the rows of houses; getting sweets from the nearby bakery; and even terrorizing Old Man Parkins, who still lived in the gray house on the corner.
“Have you caught Miss Elyse yet?” Georgie asked, eyes wide and curious.
Killian’s sentimental mood was swiftly erased. Georgie had called her “Miss Elyse.” Not “Elyse, the king’s murderer,” but “Miss Elyse,” someone he knew and had respected.
“No,” Killian said with a grimace, leaving it at that. He wasn’t about to explain the parameters of their blood pact to a twelve-year-old.
Georgie’s voice was more hesitant as he asked, “But you’re going to catch her, right?”
“Of course,” Killian replied simply. He lifted an eyebrow and jestingly added, “You don’t believe in me?”
Georgie smiled weakly, uncertainty in his eyes. “It’s just… What will happen to her?”
Killian cleared his throat to buy himself a moment. Georgie wasn’t exactly naive; he had lost his parents and been working in a black market potions operation when Killian found him. Still, telling a boy that someone he knew personally would be put to death for treason and murder was not a light subject. “Well,” he said finally. “She will be punished.”
“Will she die?”
Killian nodded. “More than likely, yes.”
Georgie was silent for a moment, his brows furrowed as he contemplated it. “But why?”
“Well, she did something bad—”
“I did something bad,” Georgie interrupted. “And I wasn’t punished.”
“Making illegitimate potions isn’t as bad as killing a king. Besides, you’re a child.”
“I’m not a child!” Georgie replied indignantly. “Mum says I’m a handsome young man.”
Killian smiled even as he sighed. “You’re still a lot younger than Elyse.”
