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My attacker is still pacing frantically, their footsteps pounding against the floor. Nexus is still crowing outside, and the wind has become so loud that I cannot even hear my own thoughts.
Valkus. Valkus. Valkus.
I force myself to say his name. To form the sound of his name in my head.
Eventually, it becomes the loudest thing I can hear.
And I keep saying it as my body grows heavier and heavier, but somehow lighter at the same time. I keep saying it as my mouth goes slack and my fingers unclench from the fists they were in.
I say it like a prayer, because hopefully, if I pray hard enough, I’ll be sent a vision of him. Just so that I can see him one last time before I die.
And then everything goes black.
20
VALKUS
“That’s just what I believe. Some may label it as bitterness or resentment for how she was treated, but I have my suspicions nonetheless.”
“I don’t think that’s a far-fetched claim at all, Taveth,” I say. “Have you shared this with anyone else?”
“Who would believe me?” scoffs Taveth. “Velora would just echo my thoughts to the parents and drive me further away from the family, as would Yiosha, that puppet of theirs.”
He mumbles under his breath for a moment then takes a deep breath.
“I ought to stop talking about it now before my mood worsens. Will you be having more tea? Or perhaps a glass of zhisk.”
I check the time on my watch, knowing it’s well past time to go.
“As much as I’d like to, I’m afraid I must leave. Given what’s been said at this table today, I best not leave Althia by herself for any longer.”
“Let me walk you to the door then.”
Soon, I’m climbing into the driver’s seat on the carriage, carefully guiding the equus out of the stables. Taveth stands in his doorway, waving a hand in the air.
“Fare thee well, brother. Do not wait long to visit again!” he hollers.
“Worry not. I’ll try and make it back sooner next time.”
“Do let me know if there’s anything I can do regarding the ongoing situation in the manor!”
“Will do. Take care, Taveth.”
My brother’s words repeat in my head as I take to the main roads.
Ongoing situation? I don’t like the sound of that.
I begin to really piece together just how long she’s been feeling unwell. For so long, I was willing to excuse it as simply a bizarre or unpleasant coincidence. But if this is really all thanks to someone’s nefarious scheming, they’ve been trying for some time to carry this out.
She’s lucky she’s still alive, no thanks to me. I should have put a stop to this long ago. Though my parents stopped voicing their objections to Althia quite as loudly, I never should have been this complacent, especially when she became sick.
Though in my defense, if there is one, I didn’t think they were deranged enough to try to murder her.
With my mind heavily weighed down by troubles, I decide it best not to stop for gift shopping, instead continuing on course through the wretched streets of Pyrthos.
I should not have stayed for so long! How foolish of me!
I spur the equus to their maximum speed, and by doing so, I cut the journey time home by half. I dismount from the carriage before it comes to a complete stop.
