“Did you really think I was going to kill you?” He shakes his head. “Of course you did,” he mutters under his breath. “You came here to die, did you not?”
I slowly nod.
“Damnation,” he curses.
“But I am dangerous,” I whisper.
“You are myson,” he grits out. “Do you think I care how dangerous you are? You are my boy and it is my job to protect you.”
“Butmaterisaid…”
“I do not care what your mother said. She is entitled to her opinion as I am mine.”
“Ikilledpeople. And I will continue to kill because I do not know how to stop this, how to…”
“We will get to the bottom of this,” he cuts me off. “There is a carriage waiting for you at the other end of the forest, right where the territory of the House of Koras starts. A friend will take you in, give you a new identity and help you figure out everything.” He pauses. “It is far better for the world to believe that Nykander, the male born under the eclipse is dead than for you to continue on living with the burden of that title.”
Shock envelops my features as I stare at him.
“You truly do not want to kill me?”
A semblance of a smile pulls at his lips.
“You are my boy, Nykander.”
Tears roll down my cheeks, and before I know it, I have dropped Upsila’s leash and I dash towards my father. His eyes are moist as he opens his arms for me, giving me the first real hug of my life.
“Pateri,” I whisper, my voice breaking on a sob.
“It will all be fine, Nykander. I promise you that,” he murmurs as he pats my back.
“Will I see you again?” I ask as I lean back.
His lips flatten.
“That, I cannot promise. But I will do my damned hardest to make it happen.”
I nod slowly.
“That is enough for me. Truly.” I give him a smile—one that is marred by tears of happiness, despite the circumstances. “I love you,pateri.”
He gulps down.
“I love you too, son. Now go.”
I take a step back, slowly backing away as I get one last look at him.
I will miss him dearly. Yet for the first time in my life, my heart is full, not empty.
“Come, Upsi,” I call out to my dog. She comes running towards me. But instead of coming by my side, she jumps in front of me.
It all happens in the blink of an eye.
A loud explosion erupts in front of me, and Upsila takes most of the hit, crumbling to the ground.
I wobble backwards, and I fall down.
My eyes are wide with shock, and blood slowly surrounds me. Yet it is not my own. I am not harmed. But if it is not mine then…
