AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I tipped my head toward my friends behind us. “There’s nothing concrete yet,” I admitted. “But we found his trail, and he’s definitely been scheming. We just don’t know to what end. Yet.”
Garath pursed his lips, listening intently. “And how did you come by this information, exactly?”
I smirked at that.“You don’t want to know, and it’s not important. We should have more specifics within the next day or two. But there is one thing I do know for certain,” I said, staring at him for a moment. “Del’s name passed his lips a few weeks ago, and we both know that isn’t good.”
Garath’s expression sharpened with rancor borne of fear and hatred, a look I imagined mirrored my own. Whatever distrust and dislike Garath and I had for one another, we both held Del and Liam’s safety above all else.
“Can you trust everyone in the castle?” I asked, realizing danger could be closer than any of us thought.
“I don’t trustanyone,” Garath said. Loosening the grip on his mug, he sat back. “Which is why I think Del is right. You should stay within the castle walls.”
I blinked at Garath. I expected him to have a number of opinions on the matter, but not that he would have agreed.
“Besides,” he continued, “Eduart’s troops are mobilizing. Whatever their next move, we need to keep Del and Liam safe.”
With each clench of his jaw and flick of his gaze to me or Del, I knew Garath’s thoughts churned as much as mine did. Still, it was obvious we’d just united in our hatred of Maylar and our fear for Del and Liam’s safety.
“Then we’ll stay in the castle,” I said with a nod of agreement. My palms felt clammy at the thought of seeing Liam, not as a bird this time, and not when he was asleep by the fire, but in person. As father and son.
18
Del
“has not the count just told us that all human wisdom is summed up in two words: wait and hope.”
I shut the book and set it on my lap, gripping the aged binding tightly in my hands. Liam lay in his bed, curled up on his side, his stare distant.
How perfect that Liam had pickedThe Count of Monte Cristofrom Mother’s collection. He had been sucked into the book, nearly completing it in barely a day. It was impossible not to see the parallels between the characters on the pages and our own lives. Mercedes de Morcerf, a woman who lost her love and had no choice but to move on. Edmond Dantes, a man who sought revenge for his shattered world. Albert de Morcerf, a boy who learned his father was a terrible person. I just hoped we came to a happier ending than so many of the characters in the book.
“Dokids inherit their parents’ sins?” Liam asked quietly.
My chin trembled, my heart breaking for him. I drew in a deep breath, exhaling as I set the book on the nightstand and leaned forward, capturing Liam’s hand and wrapping it up in both of mine. “Of course not,” I murmured. I kissed the knuckle of his thumb, the only part of his hand that remained exposed, then inhaled, hesitating only a moment before speaking. “I need to tell you something.”
Liam blinked, his red-rimmed eyes focusing on me.
I took a shuddering breath, bolstering my courage, then whispered my confession. “Alastor Windsor wasn’t your father.”
Liam’s lips parted and his eyes widened.
“When I was younger,” I told him, “I met someone and fell in love, but then he was gone, and I—” I sucked in a shaky breath. “When I discovered I was with child, the kingdom wasn’t stable, and I felt like Ihadto marry Alastor to provide a legitimate heir.” Of course, then Liam had been born a boy, when tradition dictated that the Corvo heir must be female to ensure the line continued unbroken. “It was a mistake,” I told him, my voice wavering.
Hurt twisted Liam’s sweet features.
“Not you,” I said in a rush. “You are my greatest joy.” I smiled, pouring my boundless love for him out though my gaze, letting him see how much I meant those words. “The mistake was marrying Alastor. It never should have been him, and I’m so sorry that we had him in our lives for so long.”
Liam’s eyes filled with tears but also with shimmering hope. “He’s really not my father?” When I shook my head, Liam squeezed his eyes shut, his face scrunching. His relief flowed into me, overwhelming us both.
I shifted to the bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress, and gathered him into my arms. I held him as he cried, feeling what he felt as he released his pent-up worries and fears that he was doomed to end up a monster just like Alastor. I had been so preoccupied with trying to keep Liam safe that I had been blind to his inner torment.
“All will be well,” I assured him, rocking him gently and rubbing his back. “All will be well.”
Sniffling, Liam pulled away and wiped his face with his sleeve. “Who was he—my real father?”
His eyes were filled with longing, and his sorrow seeped into me. I had said his father was gone, and Liam had interpreted that to mean he was dead.
“Heisa very good man. One of the best I have ever known.” I watched realization dawn on Liam’s face.
“He—helives?”
