“No, he understands.” Brogan’s voice had an edge of exhaustion to it. “And I deserve it. What I did is unforgivable. Haldron threatened unspeakable consequences for Esme … he knew exactly how to manipulate me.” His gaze met mine over Seren’s head. “But I made a vow to Queen Eldis to protect one of the princes and I wanted to honor that—spare him. Instead, I replaced him with an impostor, not knowing that Haldron had a means of detecting my failure. Now he’s hunting for me and Madoc. And the prince that escaped.”
Had Brogan come … to warn me?
Seren flinched.
I can barely breathe. He killed my family.
He.
Killed.
My.
Family.
At last, I forced out, “Does he know which prince escaped?”
“No.” Brogan’s eyes glittered. “If he did, the prince would already be dead.”
“Aye.” Heat radiated from Thorne’s furious form. “Then you’d better be willing to keep your oath to protect the prince at all costs, before we kill you for slaying the king.”
“You won’t be killing anyone,” Seren snapped, protective, and ready to fight. “Why are you here, Father? Isn’t it dangerous for you to have come to the Bellwether?”
“Why do you think, Seren? I went back to the encampment to try to hide the rest of my family away and found … you’d been pulled into all of this. I don’t know what Haldron has planned for you in the Skorn—if he puts you through the trial at all—but I have no doubt he’s using you to bait me. And, considering that I’m here, it worked. But the Bellwether is safe. The innkeeper is a friend.”
“What would Haldron bait you here for though? To learn which prince escaped?” Seren turned toward her father, her body tense.
“Yes, to use you and Esme to force me to track him down. Finish what I started. I don’t know how he knows I failed, but he needs the prince dead for whatever he’s planned.”
“War. He has war planned. He’s next in line for the throne, and you knew that before you did this.” I bored my eyes into his. “The question is, do you plan on killing the surviving prince to save your family?”
Brogan watched me closely, as though measuring how quickly and easily I could end him. His confession was the only thing staying my hand.
“I can’t,” he said lifting his chin.
If Lucia had told him about the bond, then Brogan knew Seren would die if he killed me.
Once again, the bond might be the only thing keeping me alive.
“And Madoc?” Seren’s hands trembled. “Where is he?”
Brogan’s eyes grew sadder. “I helped him escape to Lirien through the northern mountains. He’ll never be safe in the territory now. Then I came back for the rest of you.”
Seren lifted trembling fingertips to her mouth. “No?—”
Brogan pulled Seren into a fierce hug, and I didn’t interfere, shooting Thorne a look to stay where he was. If Madoc had gone to Lirien, then he wasn’t coming back. Ever.
“Why?” Seren’s voice broke, muffled. “I don’t believe he would just leave so easily.”
“You’re right, he didn’t want to. I forced him to. It was only by Madoc’s help that I was able to save the prince who escaped. He shot him with a whistler quill then protected him until the effects wore off. But the cost was knowing his name. If Haldron catches Madoc, he’ll torture him for it.”
His words sickened me. Madoc had been there—when the Viori came after us. Thorne knew it too. His expression was dark, his thirst for vengeance unmistakable. Madoc had been involved with Dalric’s murder. Had he lifted a hand against him?
I couldn’t bring myself to be grateful for Madoc’s help in saving my life.
Stepping away, Seren pushed her braid back, her face drained of all color. “What can I do? Is Esme here in Emberstone?”
Brogan nodded. “I believe so.”
