The hilt of my sword found its way into my hand without an ounce of thought, and as I lifted the blade high above my father’s chest, his eyes sprang open.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Were the last words he ever muttered just before I plunged the sword through him and into the mattress below.
Blood wept from his body in a spray I’d only read about. He gasped for breath as the garnet fluid spewed from his mouth, and he gripped the blade.
“I would,” I growled as I removed my sword and watched him writhe in pain among the shadowy darkness of the room.
Minutes passed until his breath sputtered to a stop. When his final breath fell, I flew into a sprint to find the only person I knew would help without question.
I hurried down several corridors and back into my room,where I found my sleeping brother. I carefully woke him, being sure not to disrupt Amalee from her sleep. He’d need to heal my mother first, but could focus whatever remaining magic he had left on closing the gaping wound in my father’s chest. The only proof of the true cause of death would vanish before anyone suspected otherwise.
11
AUDRYN
We’d gotten a late start to the morning, and I was grateful for it. The moment I woke, exhaustion hit me. I’d lain awake most of the night regretting the decision to turn away from Col and nearly convinced myself to knock on his door. But when he didn’t look or speak to me at breakfast, I realized the night had ended exactly as it should have.
Black, rocky mountains drew closer as Dysis slowly circled down, and the others landed abruptly on the rugged terrain. We’d taken a different route to the seeps than we’d used to get to the castle. The trek provided a much grander view of the land.
Our slow descent gave me additional time to assess what I’d be working with. Not only had I never seen an oil seep, but my family wasn’t wealthy enough to purchase crude or its byproducts. I’d never considered how Rivale obtained the resource, though I was about to get an up-close look at its production.
A dozen people plus my co-travelers stood around an enormous black puddle, all staring into the abyss. Bands of iridescent color floated across the surface of the inky pool.
My wyvern landed softly, and I patted her neck in thanks. I wasn’t convinced she understood either my verbal or mental words, so I continued communicating my feelings through physical contact. If we were bees, perhaps I’d have performed a little dance to express my gratitude for keeping me alive.
“What’s the update?” Col asked nobody in particular.
“Same as a week ago—output is slow, but remains consistent,” the tan man replied.
“Has there been an increase at all?” The king’s jaw clenched.
The man shook his head and frowned at the seep.
“You all have the day off,” Col continued. “Go home, see your families, or relax in the bunkhouse—it’s up to you.”
They nodded, leaving the four of us alone. Col avoided my gaze and gestured for Amalee to follow him as he walked away. I looked at Fisher in question, but he merely shrugged. With hushed voices, Col spoke with his sister, who periodically glanced in my direction, her face remaining impassive.
“Okay,” Amalee said, returning. “Whatever you need today to get this seep working, let me know and I’ll get it for you.”
Zalzre, with his rider aboard, bolted into the sky.
“Where’s Col going?” My brows knitted. We both seemed to want to avoid an uncomfortable conversation, but I hadn’t expected him to leave me altogether. Even if I didn’t want to talk, I wished he had stayed close by.
“Col?” Fisher’s brow rose.
I fidgeted stupidly, and when his gaze shot down, I prepared for the admonishment.
“Where’s your ring?” the guard questioned.
“Should I have worn the enormous rock to work in oil?” I rolled my eyes and pulled my hair back into a low ponytail.
“Well, you’re wearing your mother’s necklace, so yes, you—” Fisher started.
“I don’t think you have any room to talk,” Amalee interrupted. “You showed up last night with my mother as your date,and yet you think you have a leg to stand on?” She cocked her head to the side. “Perhaps I should rot you, so you have no legs.”
“Itwasan interesting turn of events, Fisher.” I shifted a hand to my hip.
He blew out a breath. “It wasn’t like that. I was simply an escort so Athela didn’t have to attend alone.”
