AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s an act, and you know it.”
Draven leaned on the rail beside me, admiring the same view I did and probably seeing none of it “You should take him home, to Love.”
“It’s not Love anymore, and I have nothing there—no home, no family. Nothing to offer him.”
“I doubt you’re short on friends, though? You and Lark? You’ll find a way. Together, you make a force not to be reckoned with.”
Perhaps. But he needed to heal, and so did I. “Do you think he’ll come, if I ask him?”
“I think he’d be a fool not to.”
I wanted him to come with me, to be with me, but Lark belonged in Pain. The people there needed a leader, someone to unite them, even if it wasn’t a court. Pain was in crisis—no council, no court. Its finances were in turmoil, which meant all the shatterlands was on the brink of chaos. The councils from each new district would try and balance our new existence, but there was much work to be done. Change was perhaps inevitable, but overnight change was a shock that could collapse it all. That was what happened when a world was built on lies. The truth shattered it. Now the truth had to rebuild a new world from the wreckage.
Lark wouldn’t want to rule; he hated councils, and he couldn’t sit still long enough to tolerate long, drawn out discussions. If he didn’t want to go back, I’d support him.
I looked over at the warlord and saw my friend, a man who had loved me, and perhaps still did. And I loved him too. “You could come with us?”
He chuckled at the idea. “And be your third wheel? No, my place is here. My son is finally home. He’s learning what freedom means, and I have so much I want to teach him. A whole lifetime…”
“I’m glad you found your boy, Draven. He’ll make a remarkable man, and you an incredible father.”
Draven flicked a lock of hair from my cheek. “Take Lark home, rest, make room for love for a while. You both deserve it.”
I caught his hand and gave a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, and I’m sorry for… the almost stabbing you incident. Again. I have some issues with trust.”
“It’s all right. I should have known not to cross you.”
“Yet you did, for Lark.”
“He has a way of persuading people to do what he wants.”
“I can hear you talking about me.” Lark stood propped against the doorframe as though it were the only thing holding him up. He wore a loose shirt and linen trousers, and both hung off him, as though he’d struggled to throw them on.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay?”
“I took your threat as a challenge.” He limped over, clutching his side, and offered his hand to Draven. “Warlord, in the past, I may not have been kind to you but you always had my respect. I owe you my heartfelt thanks. I couldn’t have saved Arin without your help.”
“No need.” Draven hauled him into a gentle hug. “I’m glad you’re all right, Lark.”
“I almost killed Draven because of your plotting,” I told Lark as they separated.
“Well, I did warn him you’d be displeased.”
Draven laughed. “Arin was extremelydispleased. I almost lost my head a second time. It’s only Noemi’s arrival that saved me.”
“I meant to ask,” I wondered aloud. “Why was she coming to your chamber at that hour, Draven?”
He gave a snort. “Not for the reasons you think.”
“Uh huh.”
“Then those puppy-dog eyes you give her are purely platonic?” Lark added.
“You’re both wrong.” Draven folded his arms. “She’s a friend, and she’s not interested. I’ll say no more.”
Not interested in Draven? Then her tastes surely lay elsewhere, and not in the male form. It was said the people of Justice’s first love was always justice itself. Perhaps she had no need for romantic companionship.
“Don’t give me that pitying look, Lark. Or do you lament the loss of my cock?”
