“Yes, you do,” she said softly.
“You can read me that easily,hmm?” Olivin glanced her way and shook his head. “Fine. Yes, I do fault him. It’s because of his blind faith in the leader of the Swords of Light that my family was destroyed.
“I never found out what really happened. Even Lorn doesn’t know, and if Lorn doesn’t know then no one does. But there was some kind of scuffle at the Archives. My father was a high-up Sword of Yargen under Ulvarth. I’d like to believe that he became wise to Ulvarth’s evils and would no longer stand for it. But who’s to say what the truth is.” They slowed to a stop by the side of Meru’s house. Lingering in the shadow cast by the moon.
“I’m sure that’s it.”
Olivin shrugged. “He stayed by Ulvarth through so many horrible things. Things I wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye for if he was still alive.”
Sympathy for his pain compelled her to take his hand. Eira knew what it was like to have family that was a scar on her present. Olivin didn’t look her way, but he didn’t pull away, either.
“How did Ulvarth get away with so much when he was the head of the Swords?” Eira asked. It was something she struggled to fathom.
“The Sword of Light was—is the right hand of the Voice. Meru might not be a theocracy in practice, but in many ways we almost are in spirit. Questioning the Voice, or any closely aligned with them, is unfathomable.” He sighed. “I think…some like the comfort of feeling as if there is a higher order. A purpose behind all the horrible things in the world. It’s appealing, but I’ve seen that blind loyalty bring out the worst in men.”
Eira knew the sorcerers of Meru viewed their words of power as coming from Yargen herself. The Archives were held on par with Lumeria’s castle, and even older in construction. Therewere those in Solaris who were deep in their faith. But it didn’t have the same all-encompassing pull as it did on Meru.
“Either way, Ulvarth killed him and shortly after, my sister vanished. She’d become a Pillar…or perhaps had been one for a long time. She was adamant she’d become a Sword of Light herself and always followed my father around—practically grew up in the Archives. If anyone knows the truth of what happened that day, it’s her and Ulvarth.”
“She was there?” Eira whispered.
“For all I know, she was the one who killed him. She killed our mother not long after…I barely made it out alive with Yonlin.” Olivin drew a shaky breath. His expression was the ghost of what it had been earlier when he’d seen his brother on the verge of death. “Thank Yargen, he doesn’t remember that day. He was too young. All he knows is our father died protecting the honor of the Swords of Light, our mother as well.”
“Does he know about your sister?”
“We’ve never really spoken on it…” Olivin sighed. “I’ve tried to protect him from that truth. But he’s clever. I’d be a fool to think he hasn’t figured it out and I know I can’t keep it from him forever.”
Olivin shifted his weight, as if he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to walk or stand. He still seemed restless and uneasy. Not that she could blame him.
“She’s still coming after him,” he whispered. “Wynry will never rest until she is dead, or I am.” His haunted eyes swung to her. “Now your uncle is involved in my family’s unfinished business.”
“Shh.” Eira squeezed his hand. “My uncle was involved because of me well before he was involved because of you.”
He smiled weakly. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever tell you, but I’m glad you know my innermost wound now. It’s only fair, since I know yours.”
Eira chuckled darkly. “Well, I wouldn’t say you know all my wounds with such detail.”
“Don’t challenge me.” He grinned slightly. It brought a genuine, albeit small, smile to her lips as well.
“Thank you for trusting me,” she said softly.
“You’ve earned my trust.” He looked up at the sky, where the moon was hanging low. “We should get some rest.”
“We should.”
Yet neither of them moved.
“I want to ask you to stay the night,” he whispered. All other sounds faded into his breathing. Eira captured every detail of his face as he reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You could be a beautiful distraction to make me forget the agony of the day.”
She laughed. A huff of air, more like. “You would be a gorgeous distraction. I’d be lying to you if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind earlier,” she admitted.
Olivin cupped her cheek. His palm was searing hot, much like she imagined the rest of him to be. “I’m glad the feeling is mutual.”
“I don’t know what I feel.” She’d been honest so far; they were baring their souls.
“Perhaps you could find out?”
Eira hadn’t realized how close they’d been to the wall of Meru’s house. Olivin took a step forward; her back was flush against the building. He braced himself with his palm, the other hand still on her face as he hovered over her. The world narrowed down into a breathless moment.
