chapter Twenty
Facing the Lies
Other than the sounds of bubbling water in the pot hanging over the fire in the hearth, the cottage was silent. For the last few weeks, Eramus had spent time with his father and not even realized it. Many questions flooded his mind, but one filled him with deeper frustration than all the rest.
"Why?" he asked, more to himself than to those standing near him. "Why would he conceal his identity?"
Evree placed her petite fingers on his arm. "Perhaps he's ashamed. If he has done such horrible things, he may not have wanted you to know."
"I wish that were true," said Aldeth. "But Morzaun feels no remorse for his actions. Even after he murdered Sytal and destroyed a large portion of Izarden's army, he didn't stop. He continues with his plan, and if anyone gets in his way, he takes care of them."
Aldeth's gaze flashed to Yelene, and her eyes filled with tears. Had his father tried to kill his aunt and uncle? He suspected the man had. After all, Aldeth had mentioned they fought against him, and the battle resulted in his father losing the ability to wield magic. Still, Aldeth's expression reflected more than that, an anger Eramus had never seen in his uncle's eyes. Morzaun had threatened more than justtheirlives.
"If my father no longer possesses magic, then how can he expect his plan to succeed? You said you used a spell to take away his abilities. Without magic, taking over all of Virgamor is impossible."
Aldeth ran his fingers through his light brown hair, disheveling it until it stuck up on one side. "Acting alone, yes; it would be. Subjugating everyone in Virgamor may seem impossible, but your father has convinced others to follow and assist him."
Anguish swept across his uncle's face. He bore the look of someone who'd lost a loved one. Perhaps, in a way, he had. Eramus's heart ached for Aldeth. "You mean Zeeran? My cousin?"
Aldeth met his gaze with bewilderment. "How did you know that?"
"He came once, the last time I saw Morzaun before you arrived. My father had me duel him…for practice." Although, Eramus couldn't call the fight between them helpful. Zeeran had taken pleasure in throwing Eramus to the ground and seemed far more inclined to show off than actually give him instruction.
Yelene rushed to his side and gripped his arm. "You saw Zeeran? How was he? Is…is he all right?"
Her motherly concern tore at his soul. How much time had passed since Zeeran left? And why had he chosen to abandon a family that clearly cared about his well-being?
"He looked well, as far as I could tell," he answered. Yelene sniffled, and Eramus wrapped his arm over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, but can you explain to me what happened? Why is Zeeran helping my father?"
"We don't fully understand ourselves," said Aldeth. "Both of our sons always idolized your father. He once held high a rank in Izarden's army, second only to the general. When your father refused to follow Sytal's orders, we were all banished from the kingdom. We took up residence on Verascene. The boys were young, and your father taught them to wield a sword and their magic.
“As the eldest, Ladisias received the most instruction, and by default, the most praise. I suspect that is partially why Zeeran has sided with Morzaun. He seeks the attention and recognition your father was willing to give him. Zeeran has always struggled to accept what happened and how we've been treated because of Sytal’s actions. He feels your mother’s death justifies your father’s desire for vengeance.
"About seven months ago, we tracked down Morzaun. We confronted him and asked he turn himself in for his crimes. The last thing Yelene or I wanted to do was fight him again, and without his power, he wouldn't have stood a chance. He refused, so we attempted to subdue him, but Zeeran blocked our spell and defended your father. We haven't seen either of them since."
Everything Aldeth said made sense. Zeeran hadn’t been the most friendly to Eramus when they met, and that was likely because of his father showing him so much attention. Even if Eramus hadn’t understood his connection with Morzaun, Zeeran certainly had. Jealousy fueled the drive he’d seen in his cousin’s eyes.
Yelene wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "What King Delran did to Feya pushed Zeeran past the breaking point, but if he knew the truth…" Her voice trailed off into sobs, leaving Eramus with more questions. How was he supposed to ask her to explain when it clearly broke her heart to do so? The last thing he wanted was to cause them more pain.
Aldeth pulled Yelene into his arms and held her tight as her tears soaked into his tunic. "Not to worry, my love. Feya is safe now, and Zeeran will find a way back to us in time." Even as he spoke the words, uncertainty filled his wrinkled expression. Aldeth was right to doubt. From the short time Eramus had spent with his cousin, he seemed content with Morzaun and eager to gain his approval.
"Is Feya your daughter?" asked Evree, her face tight with confusion. "Forgive me. It is very difficult to keep up with so much information."
Yelene ripped herself away from Aldeth, a smile pulling on her lips as she took Evree's hands in her own. "Do not apologize. I can only imagine how confusing this must all be. Yes, Feya is my youngest. The two of you will get along splendidly. She's always wanted a sister. Strauth, her husband, is new to being around magic as well, but he has been so wonderful to her."
Aldeth folded his arms and muttered under his breath. "He's wonderful to her now that he isn't holding her prisoner."
Evree's eyes went wide and Yelene turned to give him a pointed look. "That's neither here nor there. We cannot hold the past over anyone who desires to change. Regardless, what I'm saying is I think she will be happy with us on Verascene. The sooner we can leave, the—"
"We're not leaving until I talk to my father," said Eramus. And Evree’s, for that matter, but not knowing when Morzaun would return made leaving even harder.
His skin burned at the thought of facing the man who had lied to him for weeks. Eramus couldn't leave without confronting him.
Aldeth shook his head. "Eramus, I told you. Your father is dangerous. You'd only be putting yourself and those you care about in danger."
"If he wanted to hurt me, he would have done so by now. I'll go alone. Evree and my mother will be safe with the two of you. I just need him to know that I've learned the truth. He wants me to join him; that's part of the reason he's insisted on training me. I need him to know I won't join his cause. I want nothing to do with him."
"Eramus, are you sure about this?" whispered Evree.
