AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yourfather’s lucky he isn’t dead.” I snap. Trembling, I realize my hand is raised, as if to strike Kastel.
No. You can’t become like him.
Slowly, I close my fingers and make a fist. I lower my arm.
“Finley.”There’s a tremor in Kastel’s voice. “What’swrongwith you?”
An icy calmness descends upon me. I’ve never felt this way before; detached, but able to think with perfect clarity. I look at each of my brothers in turn, then at Garan. “Stay here. Don’t do anything rash. Don’t provoke the guards.Don’tdo anything that would land you in the dungeons. Corvan’s been good to you so far, but I can’t predict what he’ll do if you test the limits of his tolerance, and I don’t know him well enough to be able to beg for his leniency on your behalf.”
Well, that last part’s a small lie. Corvan would listen to me. I’m fairly certain of that.
But I need to get these boys to think twice about doing anything rash and foolish. Even if it saved my life, their adolescent impulsiveness is what got them into this mess in the first place.
I’m not going to let them put themselves in danger again.
This time, I actually have the ability to influence things in some small way.
Outside, the horses are still shrieking. Their panicked whinnies grate on my nerves like cutlery on glass. I hate the fact that they’re so afraid. It’s unnatural. There’s awrongnessabout the undead horde that permeates the air all around us, repulsing me.
I canfeelit.
That must be what they’re reacting to.
“You’re safe here,” I tell the boys. “There’s no point in getting worked up. And if you think they’re really fighting against the imperial army, take a closer look outside. Wait and see. Those men arenotpart of the emperor’s army. They’re… let’s just say things are a lot more complicated than what they appear to be on the surface. But when I say thatyou’ll be fine, you just have to believe me.”
Aderick leans heavily on his crutches, his blue eyes wide. “You’re different, Fin,” he says quietly. “You’ve changed.”
“Did you expect me to stay the same after everything that’s happened? I dare say you’re different too, Rick. All of you are. And if you don’t start to see what’s going on in the world outside Ruen’s borders, you’ll make the same mistakes our father has.” Bittersweet emotions swirl in my chest. “My betrothal was in exchange for your admission into the Knights’ Academy. You and Kastel both. And as much as I appreciate your efforts to rescue me, I don’tneedto be rescued. I’m at peace with my fate. So when Corvan releases you—and he will—go and join the academy. Becomesomebody.”
My brother, who risked his own life to save me, swallows hard. “Y-you sure about all this, Finley?”
If you can learn to become a decent man, and put half the energy you put towards rescuing me into being a fair and just Baron of Ruen, it will be all worth it.
“I’m sure.”
Besides, with everything that’s happened to me; the promise of magic flowing through my veins, and damnCorvanhimself, I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine.
I’m more in control of my own fate than I ever was.
40
FINLEY
As I leave the guest quarters, the big guard offers me a respectful bow. “My lady.”
“What’s your name, Sir?”
“Malkham, milady.”
“Malkham. Pleased to meet you.” I offer him a smile. ‘Thank you for keeping an eye on my brothers and their friend. They might act a little rashly from time to time, and I only ask that you grant them a little patience and understanding. I’ve done my best to reassure them, but they really don’t have an inkling of what’s going on outside these walls.”
And neither do I, really.
All I know is that Corvan’s out there, fighting. He might seem invincible, but part of me can’t help but be deathly worried.
The thought of him battling those undead monsters makes my skin crawl.
Malkham regards me with an impassive expression. “Understood. I trust you’ve dealt with the situation appropriately, milady. If the boys are still eager to see action after all that, we’ll try our best to handle them gently.”
