He caught her staring at him and grinned. “What? Are you thinking I look rather handsome in the golden hour?”
She rolled her eyes. “No. I was attempting to imagine what your monster would look like.”
He laughed, the sound low and husky. “I meant it figuratively, lass.”
“I know, but if you did turn as Zev does, I’d imagine you would look like a Skelling.”
His grin widened. “Aye? And why is that?”
The answer caught in her throat, and Lucenna’s face warmed. She didn’t dare tell him because it would only encourage his ego. The world would freeze before she ever admitted that the blue of his eyes reminded her of the seas his ancestors once ruled over.
At the lack of her answer, Klyde’s gaze roamed her face. “There you go again,” he said. “Having me wonder what you could possibly be thinking.”
“I think you can find a better use of your time,” Lucenna murmured. They jumped at the sudden clatter of firewood dropping on the ground.
Tavin wiped his dirty hands on his shirt as he asked, “Who is that man?”
They followed his stare to Von walking away from the camp.
He had done well to leave the boy alone. Probably because Klyde looked ready to murder him if he came near. But Tavin had noticed Von’s attention on him as well.
Klyde clenched his jaw. “I told you. He’s no one.”
Tavin’s pale gaze studied his uncle for a long moment, and Lucenna found herself holding her breath. “Then why does he look like mother?”
His mother?
Lucenna stilled, and her eyes widened when it hit her. Gods, in the right light, Von looked like Edyth. She stared at Klyde, and his grim expression all but confirmed it.
“Stay away from him, all right?” Klyde said gruffly. “He’s dangerous, Tavin. Go on now. Leave your gear and fetch water for the horses.”
His nephew glowered. He yanked off his harness and tossed it on the ground before wordlessly storming away.
Lucenna shook her head. “You can’t lie to him forever, Klyde. He’ll eventually learn the truth. Secrets have a way of coming to light.”
A strange look crossed Klyde’s face as he watched his nephew go. “I fear what it will do ... to reveal the truth.”
“I understand that. But take it from someone who was raised with secrets and lies. The truth is always better.” Lucenna looked down at herring. “Even if they cannot accept it and hate you for it. A life of lies is not a real life.”
Klyde leaned forward with his head in his hands. She could see how much this secret weighed on him, because she felt that same weight.
It was about time she told Everest everything.
What if he hated her and called off the wedding? Strangely, it didn’t bother Lucenna like she thought it would. If he cared about her, he would care about what she stood for.
Too many years had passed, and she wasn’t the same girl who had been infatuated with a prince.
Dyna’s voice echoed in her head.Do you love him?
At the time, she couldn’t answer. Whether it was love or duty, Lucenna knew she had betrayed him a long time ago. She needed to speak to Everest and set things right.
But she had to arrange it with Lucien first. Today.
Klyde lifted his head, and blue eyes carried much as he looked at her. “You’re right, lass,” he said after a breath. “I need to tell the truth … but that doesn’t prevent me from being afraid.”
“I know.” She was afraid, too.
CHAPTER 59
