“You know why.” Verice’s voice was flat. “If I gather my forces to attack Edenrich, the Black Hills will rise against me. Rumor has it that the Baroness Elanore has turned to the dark arts to create an army.”
“If that is true, then every one of your dead makes her that much stronger.” Wolfe grimaced.
“I have no assurances that Summerford or Wyethe would not turn on me as well,” Verice said. “And while King Barathiel of Valltera has never threatened, still, he has eyes on my land as well. So, I hold to my own borders and ward them. The time may come when I can strike at the Usurper, but that time is not now.”
“Yet the blood spilled cries out for vengeance,” Charrin said hotly. The dogs raised their heads, roused by the rage in Charrin’s voice. “The Ancestors cry out for it. I cry out for it. You take no action, and that human filth sits on the Throne of Palins and mocks all that is fair and noble. Had I my sight, my sword would be in my hand, and his blood—” Charrin was shaking, his face distorted. He jerked to his feet and threw his mug across the roof where it shattered on the stones.
The dogs sprang up, putting themselves between Verice and Charrin. The one next to Warna shifted slightly, keeping a wary eye on the trembling elf.
“You must have loved her so very much,” Warna whispered.
“She was my all,” Charrin seemed to collapse in on himself as he sank to his chair. “She was…” He trailed off. “And now here I am, unable to avenge, unable to even breathe.”
“I am sorry,” Warna said.
“How can one such as you understand?” Charrin turned on her, the rage back in his voice. “How can you even comprehend—”
“It’s a deep physical pain, like a part of your soul is gone,” Warna struggled to get the words out. “A wound no healing can touch, not that it’s healing you want. I’ve tried to put it into a song, but I can’t find the words. My throat closes, my heart breaks, and the tears just come.”
“How dare you think you know my pain.” Charrin covered his face with his hand. “I have not sung since her death. I do not know if I ever will again.”
“You will, Charrin,” Kalynn’s voice was firm. “Summer would not wish it otherwise.”
Charrin turned to Verice. “You could send assassins.” His voice held a compelling note of pleading. “As they did. You could open a portal into the castle, and pour your warriors into their midst, as they did.”
“Target the innocent, as they did?” Verice’s head came up, his anger clear. “Kill the women and elderly, and strike to maim, as they did? Is your honor completely consumed in your hatred?”
“Why should it not be so?” Charrin was on his feet again, his voice a pained cry into the night sky. “Is not my life destroyed?”
Warna feared they’d come to blows. She stood as well, backing away from the two men.
Verice paused, as if her movement had brought him back. He glanced at her, then away. “This was a mistake,” he said, shaking his head. “We should not have come. Kalynn, Wolfe, I ask your forgiveness, and thank you for your hospitality. Warna will return with me.”
“Flee, then,” Charrin spat. “Leave my presence, and carry my rage and despair with you.”
Wolfe shook his head. “Charrin, we’ve tried to help you move past this—”
“Past this? Forgive this?” Charrin cried out again. “Never, not so long as there is life within me.”
“A mistake,” Verice repeated. “We should go. Come, Warna.”
“Is that a command?” Warna asked.
Chapter Thirteen
“What?” Verice stopped, taken aback. What had she said?
“Is that a command?” Warna asked him, standing there with an honest question in her eyes. “Do I have a choice?”
Verice stared at her as the dogs milled around his legs. Choice? Did she have a—? He opened his mouth to answer, but the words died in his throat. He’d planned to leave her here. But Charrin’s attitude, his rudeness...but now it seemed the safest place for her was at his side. Wasn’t it?
Yet, she’d taken his insults in stride, they had to have stung, but she hadn’t lashed out at Charrin, hadn’t...she hadn’t let those harsh words dim her light.
He’d told her that she had a choice, and he’d meant those words, but a strange conflict rose in his heart.
Warna was looking at him, her brown eyes showing her as puzzled as he was. Wolfe watched intently, his eyes flickering between her and Verice. Charrin’s lips were pressed in a thin line, his head tilted to the side, frowning. Kalynn had an odd half-smile on her lip.
“Of course you do,” Verice said slowly. “But under the circumstances—” he stopped again. “I should make other arrangements. To keep you safe.”
