Isahn roared as grief spilled forth. Ice-knife poised to kill, he started to close the distance to Peros.
Shimmering into the space between them, a massive glassy javelin appeared. Clutched in his uncle’s hand, the tapestry served as a grip between his palm and the frigid, four-foot-long weapon.
That fucker had pulled together invisible water vapor and shaped it while taunting Isahn, and he’d been too enraptured by the confession to realize it was nothing but a distraction. Likely true, but a distraction nonetheless.
Time stood still as Isahn considered his options. He could attempt a retreat.Futile.Douse the javelin with heated water?Too slow.Attempt to dull the tip with his own knife since he couldn’t get to Peros with the spear in the way?
Isahn never got the chance to consider his final option. Peros drew back his arm, readying an attack from perilously close.
“No!” Lia or perhaps Hildy shouted.
A roaring, bright streak of flame burst between the men. Someone screamed. Maybe they all screamed. On instinct, Isahn threw up an icy shield that melted instantly. He couldn’t see a thing. Blinded by light and steam, the sheer heat of the fire forced him back.
thirty-one
Isahn does some reading.
Whentheroomfadedback to its normal brightness and Lia had recalled her magic, a charred body lay crumpled against the wall.
“Fuck,” Hildy exhaled. “I wish Burke was here.”
Isahn had to agree. The stench of burnt flesh was jarring. “Lia, thank you.” Turning, he found his sister standing with her arm still outstretched, panting from exertion.
She dropped her hand at a snail’s pace and rotated to face Isahn, eyes wide and pupils massive. “I didn’t mean to. I was only aiming for the weapon.”
“It’s all right. It had to be done. You saved my life.”
Slowly, she nodded, still looking shocked.
Hildy bravely approached the body, took stock of the situation, and cleared her throat before shooting Isahn a look of concern.
“Lia, you don’t need to see this. Why don’t you go and rest? We’ll catch up soon.”
Solaelia dipped her chin but didn’t move away from the gruesome scene.
“Yunus,” Isahn called to the guard at the top of the stairs.
“Yes, my lord?” His lower legs stepped into view.
“Please escort Lady Tarcadu to her chambers. No, to the library. Go to the library and complete a puzzle together. She needs to clear her mind.” Isahn was worried for his sister’s mental state. She was typically sharp and emotive. Her flat, gormless expression was alarming. What if savinghimcost Lia her sanity?
Yunus reached her side and tapped her gently on the elbow.
Solaelia jumped, startled. “I am quite all right, I assure you. It’s as you said, it had to be done.” She flashed Isahn a tiny smile. “But you’re right, I should clear my head. I’d hate to become plagued with nightmares or whatever happens in these situations.”
Gracefully, Solaelia raised her palm, prompting Yunus to offer a crooked elbow as escort.
“Once you have that mess taken care of, let’s meet in the breakfast room to discuss the state of affairs.” Lia’s lyrical voice floated down to them as she disappeared up the grand staircase.
“I’m worried about her,” Isahn confessed once his sister and the guard were out of earshot.
Hildy pressed her lips into a thin line. “I don’t know her as well as you. But she’s a strong woman, that’s obvious. I’m confident she’ll be all right.”
He hoped Hildy was correct. Taking a life could have unpredictable consequences on a person’s mind; not that Isahn had any direct experience, he’d simply read a great many books.
“Isahn.” Hildy called his attention back to the big, burnt, issue at hand. “It’s gone.”
“What?”
