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I move on to the next. “Tarron Dumfries, you are condemned to die for treason. May the Father cast you into the Abyss.”
Dumfries shows more decorum than Gore and shakes off the men trying to push him forward. He holds still on his own as the axe comes down.
I never liked either of them; they were my father’s men through and through, sharing his vile beliefs and ideals. But that doesn’t mean I wanted to be the one to take their lives in this way. Their deaths will now forever cling to my soul like dark, heavy shadows.
I turn to the steps and my mother inclines her head, a sign of respect that I return before I hold out my hand to Rina. When she just sits there, I make an impatient gesture for her to join me.
Her golden eyes slit like a cat’s under the overcast sky.She’s angry with me?Maybe she wants to know why Crion is tied between the same two posts she was, still in possession of his head.Or is she horrified?Either way, I don’t know what I’ll do if she makes a scene.
Thankfully, she chooses to very calmly rise from her chair and take my hand so I can help her down the stairs. At the bottom, she decides she needs both hands to lift her dress to avoid the carnage on the blood-splattered cobbles. When she makes no move to re-take my hand, I keep my displeasure to myself. Fine. She can follow me. Except, as soon as I enter the edge of the crowd, my protective instincts are set off, and I have to half-turn and lift my arm, forcing her to go ahead of me. Her soft huff of disapproval would be strangely arousing if people weren’t pressing in from all sides.
But there’s no hostility. “A’Deve,” is whispered reverently again and again as we cross the courtyard, women and children reaching out to touch her. Men too, I notice, incline their heads for her as well as for me. Lucky for them they keep their hands to themselves. If they tried to touch her, I’d probably beat them to death with their own arms.
At the stables, my men hold the people back from following. Most have lost interest in us anyway since Noé has started with Crion’s lashes. Did I delegate that particular task? Not exactly. Noé volunteered, so I’m not feeling guilty about it. My undivided attention is now for Rina, who’s already rushing down the aisle to see her beloved horse.
“She’s already saddled,” she calls, sounding miffed. “Are we going somewhere?”
Two of my men, Baylor and Kersh shuffle on their feet, not sure what to make of her disrespectful tone. For my part, I can’t stop a grin from tugging at my lips as I head in her direction. It’s been almost a fortnight since she’s dressed me down. How I’ve missed her.
She’s already mounted Glory and, beside her, Nightshade is restless. “Do you like your new cloak?” I ask her, admiring her upon her mount, the white and grey fur pelts giving her a noble air.
“That’swhat you say to me after twelve days?Do you like your new cloak?”
Taken aback by her scorn, I hesitate for a second. “Is that a yes?”
“You answer me first. Are we going somewhere?”
No longer amusing, her attitude begins to gall me, and my answer comes out as a terse, “Obviously.”
Without another word, she lifts her chin and urges Glory into a walk, making her way to the stable door.
“Infernal woman,” I mutter as I haul myself up onto Nightshade’s back to trail after her.
“Yes, I do remember,” I hear her say in a much happier tone. “Dion, right?”
“Yes, my a’deve,” Kersh says, smiling at her like she’s the Mother herself. “I’m honored that you remember me.”
Suspicion flares to life.They know each other? How is that possible?
“Of course I remember. You were the only person who spoke a single kind word to me on my journey north.”
“Oh, uh, I, uh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
At my noisy and derisive exhale, everyone turns. I glare at all three of them.
“Well, I, uh,” Kersh continues with his pathetic boy-like stammering. “While Ion is laid low, I will be your escort.”
She graces him with one of her brightest smiles. “That’s the only good news I’ve had all week. And you are?” she asks politely, turning to Baylor.
“Baylor, my a’deve. We’re to accompany you on your trip.”
Rina throws me a scathing look before turning back to him. “Thank you. Do you know how long thistripwill take?”
Baylor shuffles nervously. “About three hours, my lady. We should arrive right before sundown.”
“Unless we leave sometime today,” I bluster. “We’ll never arrive.”
Baylor immediately snaps into action. “Of course, sir.”
