Ten is motionless next to me, his father still lingering on the steps between the floor and the dais he once took so much joy from occupying.
“You will ensure the word is spread. The border will be open for those Kirrians who left. It is imperative that our message reaches far and wide. There will be a great deal of work to do to turn this tide.”
“Will Aslendrix still bless us?” A Warrior speaks up, but I don’t miss the scathing look from General Aster.
“Do you deserve to be blessed with magic? When was the last time you honoured Aslendrix? When was the last time you, in this room, gave thanks for your power?” The Maker waits for an answer. None is delivered.
“The Battle of Hart won’t be forgotten!” someone shouts, and it reverberates around the hall. That name. It cracks through the air as if someone just wielded a whip, splitting me open, leaving me raw to my bones.
It signals the start of something. A shift in the wind. A change in the season. Everyone feels it, for it ripples through as people turn their eyes to me, waiting for my response. It was my name, after all. My name, they’ve named this battle after.
Lyle slips her hand in mine, and I hold on to it, the tether and strength I need to remain standing.
I will never be free.
It doesn’t matter that I never met my parents, or that my brother killed me. My name is all over this fight, and I won’t ever escape it.
Maybe the Maker can grant me one more favour.
fifty
. . .
Aten
Why did they have to call it that? Ever’s whole body shifted and changed. I could feel it in her muscles as soon as the words rang out.
It at least seemed to put an end to the question of whether the Maker would intervene.
My father backed down, and the Orders set about speaking with her.
Mother joins us. “Ten, will you take me back now?” Her voice is thready as she asks, and I look at Ever, who smiles with encouragement.
“Go on. I’m fine. You don’t need to babysit me.”
“I’m not.” I am. I don’t want her out of my sight after what just happened. But she’s always been stubborn.
I flick my eyes to Lyle and then note where Calix and General Aster are. They’re still here, and both have defended Ever.
“I’ll be right back.” I kiss Ever’s head and offer my arm to my mother. It’s not something I would have thought to do in the past, but she looks too frail to risk it.
We exit and start down the steps.
“Do you think less of me now that you know?”
“No. You were doing what you thought was right.” It’s too easy to lie now. They flow from my mouth before I’ve even questioned the words.
“You aren’t that good at deception. You think you are. You need to learn that still.”
“Like you did?” I regret it immediately. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.” Another lie.
“As am I. What will you do now?”
Her question strikes me as if I need to make a decision, or perhaps she is still as wise and skilled as people have suggested, and I am just in denial.
“Have you spoken to your father?”
“To say what? I know all I need.” Not a lie. He has no kindness for Ever. That is clear, but I am less interested in the past and what has gone before, now that she is safe. She knows the truth. She’s done her part in righting our wrongs. And I wouldn’t have been on the right path to save her if my father had been my Advocate. It’s a simple fact that has taken a while to register. “Has he forgiven you? It doesn’t sound like he has?” I ask. It’s a loaded question.
