I averted my eyes, staring at the floor.
It made too much sense.
And worse, it didn’t contradict what my father had told me. The lies had been in what he hadn’t said. I’d filled in the blanks myself.
Brogan’s voice softened, an insidious mist blanketing all my certainty. “You were born with the mark. Your mother begged Lucia to conceal it after your birth and made us swear to protect you and keep your secret. When the time came to call in her debt, she helped us escape Lirien.”
Lucia had spoken of my birthmark, of concealing it with a rune. But a divine mark? Was that why I’d always had stronger powers than my brothers?
More sickening was the way he spoke about my mother. With admiration. “And yet, you killed her. Even though she helped you.”
“I did not kill your mother. I swear it,” Brogan said, his eyes like flint. “And I don’t know who did or why. But whoever it was found it convenient to blame me and remains beyond suspicion.”
I held his stare, my heartbeat dull. He had every reason to lie. But something in his words felt true and I loathed the inconvenience of my instincts. “That doesn’t change that you murdered my father and brothers. My family. I should run you through right now.”
“You see, Your Grace, we’re more alike than you know. Willing to sacrifice for the women—the people—we love. I can’t kill you without hurting Seren, but I’d give everything to go back a few weeks, when the only consequence of your death would have been destroying what remains of my honor. Now, I’ve risked my entire family. I have no love for you or for Lirien. Not anymore. No loyalty to the Viori. My only loyalty is to my family.”
My jaw clenched at the brutality—and honesty—with which he spoke. “What do you want from me?” I asked at last.
“Tell Seren who you are. Convince her your life is necessary and to flee with you into the mountains. Take her away from this. She won’t go otherwise. She’s too good—too loyal. She will never leave her friends and family. I will do what it takes to save the rest of my family, but she’s in your hands now. Please. Save my daughter.”
Of course.
The coward wanted, once again, the easy way out from all this.
Seren had spoken of her father with such admiration … would she still idolize him if she knew what he really was?
His pleading eyes may have convinced someone else. Maybe I should have considered it, but he was Brogan Ragnall. His pleas meant nothing to me.
I shook my head, gently. “When have you known your daughter to do what anyone else wants her to do? I’ve only known her for a short time and even I can tell you that. It will make no difference. She still won’t leave and the knowledge of who I am will only endanger her further.”
“You have to try,” Brogan growled.
“I have to do nothing.” I gave him a hard look. “You forget yourself, Ragnall.”
“She might die and then where will you be? Where will Lirien be? Going through the Skorn is lunacy.”
The corners of my lips turned up as I felt her at the edge of my consciousness, trying to push through the walls I’d put up while I spoke to her father.
Beautiful, loyal, fierce Seren.
Temptation filled me. When I’d arrived in the territory, thoughts of escape had consumed me. Return to Lirien. Now I knew it was my duty to go back. But without her?
That was torture.
Practicality aside—yes, she was a huge vulnerability. But I couldn’t stomach the idea of her staying behind while I went to Lirien.
Brogan’s plan was interesting. Force her to come with me. Take back my kingdom now, before Ivar could be crowned, and prepare for the coming war with Haldron. But she might hate me for it. She didn’t want to go and would be separated from her family and people forever.
The options before me were grim, my head aching as I considered them. I’d spent the night with Seren in my arms and, for that one moment, the outside world had slipped away.
I wouldn’t leave without her. But I would never make her leave, either. Not if there might be another way.
I rubbed my eyes.
And what if the war could be stopped?
Seren’s idea had merit.
