AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You don’t look so good yourself,” Kherathi said, gaze dipping to the blood oozing through Renton’s mysteriously acquired shirt.
“You’re…” Renton’s words faltered.
“Sound of mind. She’s done incredible work. She’ll need time to heal.”
“And Balhudhal?” Renton asked, peering out at Firesteep’s gates, shrouded in clouds of smoke.
“Obliterated, along with the other beasts. Though I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily a good thing.”
Renton’s jaw and fists hardened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Tenah absorbed his Chaos instead of purifying it. Things will be rough for her when she comes to. I think I’ve proven that the balance of magic requires more than one stubborn old soul.”
The Chaos lord’s eyes flicked to Aeyis, and Renton couldn’t help but shift a bit in front of his brother, as if to cut off their internal conversation, whatever it was about.
“What about you? What will you do now?” Renton asked.
Kherathi tipped his head in contemplation, gears whirling almost audibly. “Considering Izral and the High Court expected me to die today, I’d say I’m no longer welcome on the isles. Which leaves me to entrust her to you.” His ocher eyes dropped to Tenah. “Temporarily. You break her heart, and I’ll flay you alive.”
The shock of the warning jerked Renton back to balmy evenings in his family cottage, on the receiving end of one of his father’s famous lectures.
“You could come with us. I have a contact that can provide us with a place to lay low until she’s back on her feet,” Renton offered.
“I doubt my presence will promote healing.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Just until she’s back on her feet.” Kherathi’s welkin dropped down in a bow with a snap of his fingers, a hint of metal tainting the dry air.
Renton threw Kherathi a calculating look.
“Old habits.” He gave a sad smile.
A pang of distrust wedged its way into Renton’s chest. Had he made the wrong decision in inviting the lord? Years twisted by Chaos maybe wasn’t wiped away so easily.
But Tenah would need his advice. His secrets on how to keep Corruption at bay for such an extraordinary amount of time. Renton never wanted to see her in this state again. If that meant keeping her father around, Renton would just make sure to keep a pulse on the situation.
A procession of shadows in black-and-gold leather marched toward them from Firesteep’s gates. Renton’s brows lifted at the sight of Vesara crowned, no longer shirking her responsibility.
They all waited for her to make the first move.
“I ought to kill you for the stunts you pulled,” Vesara shouted at Kherathi, spinning a knife between her fingers. Her gaze dipped to Tenah’s broken form, and Renton didn’t miss the thin line of blood Vesara’s knife cut into the side of her finger. Her face morphed into one of shame.
“For obeying the orders of our king? Or for gaining you a crown and the Embassy?” Kherathi taunted. “Orfor organizing the death of Cirel’s war beasts? Please clarify which stunts you’re referring to.”
Vesara tsked. “Don’t act like you didn’t plant all of this in Izral’s head to weasel your way back into a reputable position.”
“You give Izral too little credit. He willingly suggested my sacrifice to tip the scale of war in our favor against Cirel. Punishment for my unlawful removal of Sardoth from the throne.”
Vesara paled. “I suppose you’re right. He found a way to imprison me after all.”
“Shackled to a crown that gives you power to make change.” Kherathi smirked.
Renton fought back a kernel of appreciation for the lord’s callousness.
Features turning cold, Vesara tucked her knife away. “It would be best for you to leave now. It would complicate things if my report back to our king proved untrue when he discovers you still alive.”
Kherathi bowed his head. “May you rule responsibly.”
