As commotion erupted around me, I recalled Ferris' question. Why had Akemi bothered training me when it was forbidden? When I'd never hold a blade.
I'd asked him as much the year he'd died.
We'd been fishing at the lake just south of Tsuyan. Pale blue flowers had sprouted from silver buds, wherever we looked. I'd reeled a line in and blurted the question out.
'Why do you bother training me?'
'Why?' He'd repeated. 'Say Tsuyan was attacked tomorrow. Would you fight at my side?'
'Obviously.'
Akemi had smiled. 'That's why. Father always tells me never to waste potential. He just doesn't follow his own advice.'
I looked up, finding my voice. It silenced the men around me.
"An attack we cannot win by conventional means is coming. Get your men to safety—there are three Paragons here. We will handle it."
Fury erupted on Father's face—an expression I knew all too well.
But Quinn grinned.
"As you say.” He bowed his head. "Paragon Diar.”
Reese's eyes lit up. "Kill the scádes before they arrive, and we spare the walls."
"That's the idea," I said.
"Then let's be off. There's no time to waste."
"No!" Father erupted, shoving past Lord Ishida to reach me. "No, I will not have this farce disgrace the honor of the dead."
Reese reached out, but Father swatted the Solheart's arm away and pushed Ferris aside. He grabbed my wrist and twisted it, forcing the bow from my hands.
It clattered to the ground.
My resolve wavered. It always did around him.
"War is a trial for men to face," he hissed. "And if you are so lucky, you will live through this hell to suffer the punishment you have earned."
Reese looked stunned—he'd expected General Yuudai to waver in the face of a Solheart, but he had not.
Maybe he would have hesitated, had it been any other girl. But it was me.
His eternal disappointment.
"Send the men to the walls," General Yuudai barked. "Bring Siotha back to its home—to be tested." He looked at me with a new expression. I had no idea what it was—not anger, but . . . grief? "And you will come with me."
Chapter 29
Liam
Two Solhearts plotted to steal Paragon weapons. A third stood with me, familiar with them and distressed about something.
But what?
Bláth paced the roof, coattails flapping behind her. Lord Ishida's manor sprawled beneath us, an austere manor of snow white to contrast the surrounding black. If a Solheart approached it from any angle, we would see him.
The three-tiered roof of this building provided just enough space to stand, with the roof above casting a shadow on the one below. It was a beautiful hiding spot. If only Aenir had buildings like this, I could make good use of them.
