But Terrina refused to see reason. She insisted that her husband was trustworthy. Ethenn hadn’t understood why until now. She’d already been pregnant. Leaving with Muirren’s heir would have ensured the man seeking them out. He wouldn’t have let them escape with such a prized possession.
In the low lamplight of the present night, Ethenn gently took his sister’s shoulders between his hands. “Rin, I’m so sorry,” he said.
Terrina clutched his wrists. “You needn’t be.”
Before he could argue his case, she pulled him toward the bench at the foot of the bed. “Now, come, tell me: How are you? Has the army treated you well? You look good. This insignia looks important.”
Ethenn glanced at the Order of the King patch on his coat and smirked. “Lots has happened,” he said. “Too much to tell tonight.”
“Are you happy?” she asked.
Ethenn opened his mouth to reply, but the words caught. Was he happy? He couldn’t say he was. Despite his love for Ilain, their relationship was complicated. His feelings were deepening while hers were... Well, he didn’t know what she felt for him. Perhaps something, but it wasn’t yet love. That wouldn’t come until after their Bonding.
Unable to explain such things to his sister but not wanting to disappoint her, he said, “I think I will be. Soon.”
She squeezed his hand. “How long will you stay?”
“In town?”
She nodded.
“Just the night,” he said. “But, Rin, I’m going to come back for you.”
Terrina’s brow furrowed.
“I’m in the middle of a mission now, and there are some things that need to be figured out. But as soon as it’s all taken care of, I’m going to come back for you.” He glanced at her growing stomach. “And the baby,” he concluded.
Terrina’s dark eyes clouded with something he couldn’t read.
“I’m going to get a promotion of a sort soon,” Ethenn explained. “I’ll be able to provide for all of us. You can raise your child however you like—far away from here. We’ll be together, and you won’t have to worry about anyone making you do anything you don’t want to do ever again.”
“Ethenn—”
“Trust me, Rin,” he pressed, tightening his grip on her. “We can be a family again.”
His sister pressed her lips together, seeming to struggle for words.
Then the bedroom door opened.
Ethenn and Terrina shot out of their seats as a servant stepped in. And behind him came Bastien Muirren.
Ethenn’s heart stopped beating. It was impossible.
The night he’d come to rescue Terrina four months ago, Bastien found them. He’d entered the room then, like he did now. He’d rushed in and, finding a strange man with his wife, flew into a rage, even as Terrina screamed that it was her brother. Ethenn and Bastien fought. They’d tumbled out onto the balcony. And as Ethenn’s anger flashed hotter than ever before, he’d kicked Bastien over the rail to fall crashing to the stones below.
Ethenn had killed Bastien. That’s why he joined the army. That’s why he ran.
Yet, here his sister’s husband was—fully alive.
However, tonight, Bastien didn’t stride into the room. The servant wheeled him inside on a chair made with wheels like a wagon. His once proud and handsome face bore still-healing scars, soft red lines across his umber skin. Otherwise, he appeared hale and whole.
A tremble worked through Ethenn as his skin began to heat.
Bastien was supposed to be dead. His sister should have been free, a wealthy widow living a life of luxury, but instead, she remained shackled to the scoundrel who’d stolen her freedom.
Just as Bastien and his servant noticed Ethenn’s presence, Terrina rushed forward. “Dear,” she said, setting a hand on Bastien’s rigid shoulder, “my brother has come to visit. Isn’t that nice?”
A long, tense silence stretched. Terrina excused the servant, and he shut the door behind him. Her fingers massaged Bastien’s shoulder, even as the man glared at Ethenn.
