FULL NOVELXO Chapter Did I Kill a Rebel Leader for Her?
As she lay on the edge of the trees in the deep yellow grass. She stroked a fingertip over the raised scars marring his chest.
Old encounters with Cimmerii.
“There’s so many of them…” She murmured. “Have you always fought?”
Long as I can remember.
“I’ve wielded a sword since I could lift one.”
“Cutting down trees, I imagine…” She smiled at the thought.
“No. Trying to cut down a more formidable adversary.”
“Who?”
“A boy named Sebastian.” He cleared his throat. Stroking her hair thoughtfully as she rested her cheek on his chest. His tunic strung over her back. “Everyone adored him, and I was forever jealous. So, I often took our sparring too far.”
But damn him for being too quick.
“Not how one should play with a friend…” She laughed.
Brother. He grunted. But didn’t bother to correct her.
“I can’t imagine you jealous. What could someone else have that you couldn’t?”
Everything. He has everything I don’t.
Except perhaps this…Alazareth pictured the hostility of Bast’s valkyrie shouting at him and half-smiled.
“The love of others. I was always rather reticent.”
“That’s not how I see you…” She whispered.
That piqued his curiosity. How do you see me?
“What do you mean, Ri?” He asked.
She smiled softly as he used the new nickname. “Did you find the Rebel Leader?” She changed the subject.
He sighed. Dreading the topic. “Yes.”
Did I kill him? No.
After all my promises never to lie to her. I’ll tell her the truth after I check on what Garix said.
“Who was he?”
“Garix Trembath, a former soldier of the NightGuard.”
“Trembath?” She frowned. “I think I might remember him. From when I was very little.”
Alazareth hid his grimace. I didn’t think she’d have any idea who he was.
“So, you killed the Rebel Leader?” Her voice rose hopefully.
“They’ll replace him with another.” He skirted answering.
She winced. “Why’d he want to kill me?”
Because Danbury’s conniving behind your back. Possibly with Marod.
“Because of Nightway.”
“Nightway?” She gasped. “I’ve very little to do with the running of it.”
I know that. They don’t.
“But your ‘Dear Charles’ has much to do with it.”
She squawked in outrage. “How dare you! He’s chair bound. Harmless! How can you be so unkind Alazar? I’d never thought you cruel, but I see it now!”
He’s harmless?
I’m cruel? Have you lost your mind?
She pulled her clothes back into place glaring at him all the while.
Glare at me all you wish. It doesn’t make Danbury any less evil. He stared up at a cloudless sky. Trying to keep the frustration off his face, as he cupped the back of his head in his palms. Why won’t she listen?
“You’ll have to see him for who he is eventually, Ri.”
You can’t play blind forever, Little Dove.
“I do see him! Perhaps you should! You’re awful.” She popped out of the tall grass and stalked back toward Nightway.
I’m awful? He lifted his head to watch her crossing the meadow.
Quiet fury rolling through him at her total refusal to hear the truth. One day she’s going to have to.