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“Yes, now!” I insisted. “I want to know who it is. I have magic of my own now—I can kill him! I want to avenge Quill!”
“Alira, listen to me…” Liath beckoned for me to come to him. I stepped up to stand between his spread legs and looked him challengingly in the eye.
“Who is it and why did you keep it from me?” I demanded.
Liath shook his head.
“You’re not ready to know—your magic isn’t strong enough yet.”
“Yes, I am!” I insisted. “And I want to know!”
“You can’t face him,” he countered. “Not yet.”
“Yes, I can—whoever he is, I can face him and I will face him!” I insisted. “Tell me now, Liath, or I will never forgive you for keeping it from me—I swear by the Shining Throne!”
“It was your cousin—it was Asfaloth, that little shit—all right?” Liath burst out at last.
I took a step backwards, feeling sick. I had always hated my cousin—well, both my cousins, since Asfaloth and Calista came as a pair. And I knew that they disliked me and Quill as well—mainly because he didn’t let them torment me. But I hadn’t known that Asfaloth would kill someone in his own family—that he would stoop so low.
“He stabbed Quill in the back,” Liath said heavily. “It was cunningly done—he waited until both of them were in a shaded area of the battlefield and then threw up a see-me-not around the two of them.” He tugged on one of his horns. “I saw what was happening—I have a spelled visor on my helmet that cuts through obscuring magic—but I couldn’t get to Quill in time.”
I felt my stomach twist.
“What…what happened?”
“I ran across to him—crossed the enemy’s line. I got right up to Quill just as your bastard of a cousin stabbed him in the back. I tried to pull him away but all I got was his blade in my face.” He touched the white scar that ran down his cheek. “That’s why I wouldn’t let you heal this, little bird. It’s a reminder of my failure to save my best friend…I don’t deserve to forget.”
“So that’s why Asfaloth was able to blame you,” I whispered. “Because everyone saw you on the Seelie side of the battle, right near Quill.”
Liath laughed harshly.
“Exactly. I wanted to cut the fucker down right there, but I was surrounded by about half the Seelie army and Asfaloth was surrounded by the other half—using his own warriors as shields. I couldn’t get to him.” He shook his head. “I still have dreams where I stay and just keep cutting them down until I finally slice his fucking throat.”
I shook my head.
“I don’t understand—why did you keep all this from me? I would have believed you—Asfaloth is horrible and he and Calista never liked Quill. Though I didn’t think he would actually…actually…” I put a hand to my throat, unable to continue.
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you going after your cousin before you’re ready to face him,” Liath rumbled, frowning.
“But I am ready!” I protested.
He shook his head.
“No, you’re not. Not nearly. Because…”
“Because what? Why?” I looked at him anxiously because there was a grim look on his face.
“Little bird, I didn’t want to tell you this way, but we’re out of time,” he said heavily. “Your father…he’s dead. Asfaloth has taken his place, which means he has the power of the Shining Throne behind him. You’re not strong enough to take him on—not with that kind of magic backing him.”
I sucked in a breath. I had never been close to my father—I could not recall a single time that he told me he loved me or hugged me or even smiled at me. But he was still my father and the news of his death hit me like a blow.
“I’m so sorry…” Liath gathered me into his arms and took me on his lap. “I know it’s hard to hear.”
“I…I’ll be all right,” I said, lifting my chin and trying to keep the tears out of my voice.
“I wish I could stay here and comfort you the way you comforted me,” Liath murmured. “But I’m afraid I must go.”
“Go? Go where?” I demanded. Finally it registered with me that he was wearing his armor—mainly because the breastplate felt hard and cold against my side. “Not…not to battle, surely?” I exclaimed.
Liath nodded.
“I’m afraid so. Asfaloth has ended the peace between us by crossing the Great Divide and slaughtering some of my people. Such an act cannot go unanswered.”
“What? No!” I exclaimed as fear gripped me. “No, Liath—please don’t go!”
“I’m sorry, little bird—I have to.” He put me gently from his lap and rose to tower over me. He looked immense in his suit of black armor but all I could think was Quill had been wearing armor too, the last time I saw him and how my cousin’s blade had pierced it with ease.
