He pinched my chin harder, his fingers digging into the bone. “No Raven! All it takes is one misstep and then she will take you.” His eyes danced in fear.
Pure, unfiltered.
“How old is she?” Julian cut through the tension, his pupils dilating in anger as they narrowed on Griffin’s fingers. “The High Priestess.”
Griffin didn’t release me, but his attention flicked to Julian. “Nobody knows for certain, but there is rumor she was around when the prisoners were sent to Violencia in the first place.”
He relaxed, releasing my face and readjusting me in his arms, until he was practically cradling me. The rocking and vibrating of the carriage had somehow managed to turn comforting.
“Where are the others?” I asked through a yawn, my exhaustion catching up with me all at once.
“They are behind us. They should arrive shortly after us.” Griffin moved his arm up, providing support for me to rest my head.
Julian shrugged out of the cape he was wearing, the one that matched Griffin’s.
“Marry you both?” I asked, another yawn escaping me.
“Yes, it is going to keep you safe. We will both be able to remain by your side this way. It’s time to rest now. We have protection on all sides and a few hours trek to the castle. We can discuss it in more depth later.”
Julian leaned forward placing the thick material in his hands over me. Bringing it up, I stuffed my face in it, simultaneously heating my nose up and inhaling his scent.
I didn’t want to sleep. Wasn’t sure I could avoid nightmares about what I had witnessed. But I had been on edge since Griffin had intruded on me and Julian this morning, and the anxiety hadn’t eased. It simply transformed over and over again as each new surprise and shock was thrown my way.
The rocking and bumping of the carriage, the steady beat of Griffin’s heart, the scent of Julian, the warmth I was wrapped in. They worked one by one to layer up my comfort, to forcefully shove me into the comforting embrace of sleep.
But just as sleep doused me in its embrace, a single image flashed behind my eyelids.
Branton.
Chapter 13
We Believe in Second Chances
Griffin
Fourteen Years – Five Months Ago – Violencia
Amonth had passed and Griffin had explored nearly the entire country of Violencia, coming to one conclusion. Every single piece that was wrong was because of outsider involvement. Because of the Sacred Trinity. They had brought their own greed into a place that had not wanted for anything. They had created dissolution between the classes, forced their way into places of government, killed their opposition. It was carefully hidden, cleaned up, tucked away and out of sight, but Griffin knew to look for it.
No one in Violencia was aware that there were even outsiders…unless they were one themselves. The people ofViolencia knew of the existence of other countries, but they held a deep resentment for them. And rightfully so. Even still, their knowledge was incredibly limited, and more was disappearing as the Sacred Trinity silently destroyed it.
“Here, have some tea. It’s not as good, but we make do.”
Griffin looked up, offering a forced smile. “Thanks, Mrs. Roger.”
The woman tutted, pulling out a chair and settling next to him. Her long, bony fingers stroked Griffin’s thigh, and he contained the disgust that threatened to choke him.
“It’s Sharon.” She frowned, the deep lines of age etching into her face.
He placed his hand on hers, covering and then moving it away. “Sharon,I heard you and Harold had found your way over to Violencia, but I didn’t realize you would settle into a Facility.” He brought the cup up to his lips taking a sip, it was nauseating.
“Yes, after the king decided against our judgments, we felt it was best to reconvene in a different location.”
Griffin choked on the tea.
If she means they ran before they could be executed…
“I see, I hadn’t heard too much, just that you both had left,” he lied, setting the cup back down. “Where’s Harold?”
