I avert my gaze.
Upsila is the one person in my life I cannot lie to. She knows my deepest secrets, and all those hidden thoughts that should be left unspoken. Her loyalty is something I would never question,for she has been there for me in my hardest times—as opposed to my own parents.
A pang erupts in my chest as I think about the aftermath of my death. I have no doubt my parents will spin some tale and no one will question it. It is not as if anyone will miss me.
But Upsila will.
What will happen to her once I am gone?
The thought that she might be harmed, or abandoned hits me harder than the knowledge that I will be dead in a matter of hours.
“Pateri.” I clear my throat. “Upsila is a fine dog. She is a hunting breed. She might be able to help you in the future,” I say slowly.
A whoosh resounds as the curtain slides back into place. My father turns, his brows knit together. I have never taken the time to analyze him properly, yet this is my last opportunity to do so. He looks like me. Or, at least, I would look like him if I reached adulthood. His hair is jet black and his eyes are a light shade of blue—almost gray.
Slowly, the meaning of my words dawns on him.
“She is, indeed, a fine dog,” he agrees, glancing briefly at her.
The silence resumes.
It takes us an hour to get to the hunting spot.
The woods are situated at the outskirts of Merolia, at the outskirts of the House of Jubal’s territory. They are a popular spot for the nobility, especially at this time of the year when the season for thecaspriis in full swing.
The carriage touches down in the middle of a clearing, and we get out.
As we start towards the forest, I wonder how long his pretense will last. Perhaps until we are surrounded by thick foliage so no one can see a father kill his son.
I tighten my hold on Upsila’s leash as we slowly make our way down a beaten path. The trees are tall, their branches full of leaves. With every step, we become more and more shielded by nature, ensconced within the heart of the forest.
I guide Upsila forward, but after a while, I stop hearing my father following behind me. I stop. Slowly, I make the courage to turn around.
He’s standing a distance away from me, his expression conflicted.
5
“Pateri?” I ask.
“Why did you agree to come, Nykander?” He asks in a rough voice.
My brows lift in question.
“You know why we are here. You heard us last night.”
“H-how…”
He grimaces.
“It was not by chance that you heard that,” he sighs as he takes a step closer. “I wanted you to.”
I blink. Now it makes sense why mother did not hear me at the door. He was shielding me from it.
“But…why?” I whisper.
“Because I do not want you to die.”
I stare at him.
