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In comparison, Tiago looks like a peach, even with his bloody eye and fresh wounds.
I look up at the beast of a man who snarls at every tree, bush, and critter that moves. “So you’re basically royalty, right?”
Tiago glances down at me. “I am the king’s brother. So yes.”
He means king of the War People, but there’s only one real king now. Benicio. “And that means you don’t fight as often?”
“What makes you say that?”
“You don’t look as roughed up as some of the others.”
Tiago lifts his chin. “I am the best fighter. That is why I am less scarred. It is why I am a Wall Man.”
“So it has nothing to do with Alwar being your brother.”
“There are many Wall Men. A few less today than yesterday, but not all are Alwar’s brothers.”
I still get the feeling there’s a little nepotism going on. “And why were you and your brothers chained to the wall?”
“That is none of your business.”
I think it is. My grandma used that information to scare the hell out of me. She told me they were chained because they were so vicious and cruel that they deterred the other monsters from attacking the wall. Like tying a bunch of tigers to your front door.
“Tiago, at this point, I’d say everything’s my business. Queen? Married to your brother? Remember?”
Tiago grumbles something under his breath. I can’t hear from down here.
“What was that?” I ask.
“The chains were a punishment.”
I try not to laugh. “You mean, like a time-out?”
“I do not know what that is.”
“It’s when you put a small child in their room or on a chair, and they can’t go anywhere for a while.”
“Why would that be a punishment? Children should not be running around free. Lest they want to become a meal for a Skin or the trolls. Even the Shell People have been known to eat children. And they are not fast runners.”
I frown. “Never mind. So you were chained to the wall as punishment for…?”
“Your father.”
I stop walking. No one seems to notice right away except Master, who barks.
Tiago turns. “Do you need to piss? Why have you stopped moving? We are already moving too slowly due to your puny size.”
“What did you say about my dad? Why were you punished because of him?”
“Bardolf was upset because your father got through the wall unnoticed and found your mother just as the Blood Battle initiated.”
“And?” My heart is racing.
“And your father tried to stop her. The distraction cost Storm her life, and then your father’s—as punishment for his disruption. It cost Alwar a chance to regain the throne.”
“My parents died trying to get Alwar back into power?” I ask.
“Did you not know this?”
“I-I…no, I didn’t.” I never put the pieces together. But if Benicio’s been in power for about a hundred years, like I was told, that means someone in my family died proxying for Alwar a century ago when Benicio issued the challenge. How many Norfolks have lost their lives since then, trying to help Alwar regain the throne? I know for certain my parents lost their lives twenty years ago, but maybe there are more.
Is this why I have no family left? I don’t know, but I’m finally realizing why Grandma Rain fought so hard to keep me away from this proxy business. It’s done nothing but bring death to my family.
“Did my mom want to fight?” I ask Tiago.
“Not at first. Initially, she ran from us—tried to escape back to you.”
“What changed her mind?”
“I imagine she loved you. She loved your father. She loved Rain. She knew what had to be done to protect the wall.”
I start to tear up, and Tiago scoops me into his hands.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“You are slowing us down. I will assist you even though you protest,” he says loudly, like he’s putting on a show. “Yes, Master may join you.” He glares down, telling me to shut up with his eyes.
I didn’t say anything about Master.
Tiago leans over and plants Master next to me in his hands.
“You cannot do that,” he whispers as the caravan of thumping, scarred giants continue marching through the forest of glowing neon trees. “They must never see you cry.”
He’s trying to help me save face.
I drag my fist beneath my eyes. I appreciate Tiago shielding me, but I honestly don’t give a crap what anyone thinks. I’m human. I’ll always be human. Doesn’t matter which world I’m in. I have to start thinking, acting, doing for myself. Though, I do appreciate the ride. We start moving much faster. And the sooner I can get to the Mountain People, the better. Plus, I need to conserve my energy.
“Rest,” he whispers. “You can continue annoying me with your questions later.”
I look at Master, who’s already dozing off like all this is super normal. Just another day in Monsterland.
