That’s Paige’s voice,” Taran whispered, pressing his ear to the door. “But I dinnae ken who the male is.”
Both Taran and Finn were drawing their swords when Noah realized who it was. “I do.” He listened a minute longer to make sure no one else was inside. “It’s Keir!”
He pushed through the door and all but stormed the man. “Where’s Skye? Has something happened to her? I searched for her and you for hours! Why have you left her? Is she safe? Is?—”
“Enough.” Keir’s brows came together in a scowl. “I came here to ask you the same thing. I’ve searched everywhere and decided—hoped—you might be hiding her here.”
While Finn remained at the door to stand watch, Taran went to Paige’s side where Brody stood firm beside her, fists clenched and chin jutted with what five-year-old menace he could muster to protect his mother from the stranger.
“It’s true,” Paige offered. “That’s what he’s been asking.”
“She’s not in her chamber then?” Noah felt his hopes regarding Skye’s safety fade. “Where have you looked? When did you last see her?”
“When she was on her way to The Keeper’s study,” Keir replied. “She told me what the two of you found in the library and that she was going to confront her father about all the lies. I tried to dissuade her, but she was determined. She refused to let me accompany her. She said it was time she grew up and stood on her own two feet. I gave her a little time before going back to wait outside his study, but I was too late. All they would tell me was that she was no longer there. The guards who’d been there were gone. Replaced. No one knew anything. And I knew for me to challenge The Keeper’s personal affairs was to ensure a not-so-quick or merciful demise—even when it came to Skye.”
He shook his head, worry lines etched deep in his face. “I’ve searched everywhere I could think of. Bribed and coerced everyone I could, inside and outside the citadel. No one seems to know anything. So I came here, hoping against hope that she’d come to you for comfort.”
His sigh was almost a shudder. “But since she did not, I could think of only one alternative. The Keeper has either sent her away or locked her away somewhere. I’ve questioned everyone outside the fortress, and they swear no one has left here today. Not even Austin’s henchmen. So she has to be somewhere within the Citadel.”
Noah didn’t miss his mother’s flinch at the mention of her estranged brother. He knew how much she wanted to reconcile with Austin and how much his refusal hurt her. Especially since arriving here. She’d risked everything, been brave enough to travel through time to a different world to find him. And despite his refusal to reunite with her as a family, she’d stayed all these years in case he might change his mind. And here he was, within physical reach, yet still worlds apart.
Blood didn’t make you family, she’d once told Noah not long after she and Taran had adopted him and Emily.Love, caring, sharing life’s extraordinary gifts and being there for one another through its occasional bruises are what made you a family. Real families are made, not given,she’d said.
He realized now, she wasn’t just consoling him, she’d been speaking about Austin, as well. And he also knew she still held onto a sliver of hope he’d come around.
“As ye can clearly see, Skye isnae here.” Taran gave Brody’s shoulder a light squeeze as silent approval for protecting his mother. “’Twas our intent tae look for her earlier, but the guards hae kept us locked up here until moments ago when we finally subdued them.”
He gave Keir a curious look as he slid his hand from his son’s shoulder to the hilt of his sword. “How can we be sure ye’re no’ here tae carry out The Keeper’s orders tae hae us evicted at dawn?”
Keir let his narrowed gaze settle on each of the three men. “How do I know you don’t intend to use Skye as a means to getsomething you want?” He darted a look at Emily’s still form. “As a bargaining tool, perhaps.”
“Because I’m giving you my word,” Noah stated, low and tight. “On my sister’s life.”
“And mine,” Taran added.
“And mine,” Finn followed.
“You didn’t answer earlier,” Noah challenged. “How can we know you’re not here to do The Keeper’s bidding and not really looking for Skye at all?”
Keir folded his arms across his chest and met Noah’s stern gaze with one of his own. “I’ve served The Keeper for seventeen years. Since I was barely more than a boy. He gave me purpose. Position. A place when I had nothing. He trusted me enough to place his only child in my care.” He paused, his hands clenching at his sides. “One could say I owe him everything. But my allegiance belongs to Skye,notThe Keeper—who would take my life just for saying that. But know I would willingly forfeit my life for her and challenge anyone and anything that threatens her. Even if it’s The Keeper.Even if it’syou.”
“I’mnot a threat to her.I love her!”There. He’d said it. “I’m desperate to find her.”
“I disagree,” Keir said, his voice dangerously tight. “Youare the biggest threat to her safety. Before you arrived she was happy—content at least—she never questioned her father or the way things were. You changed all that. You made her question who she was. What she was. What she wanted.Youmade her look beyond these walls to the truths that lay hidden. You held her sanctuary up to the light and showed her it was really a prison.”
He took a step closer and stared Noah down. “And now she’s somewhere paying a price for believing in you. I don’t know where or how. But I know The Keeper will punish her for challenging him.”
Noah gasped, mentally pushing away the visions and possibilities that crowded his mind. Punishment he should take, not Skye.
“’Tisnae yer fault,” Taran told Noah. “Skye is a smart lass. The Keeper couldnae have hidden the truth from her forever. ’Twas only a matter of time before she challenged him.”
He turned to Keir. “If The Keeper has locked her away, where would he take her? Ye said ye’ve searched her chamber and I ken ye’ve also checked all the usual places she would go, but have ye questioned her personal servants? Her chambermaid? The kitchen maid who serves her meals? Did she have her evening meal?”
“I did, and no, she didn’t arrive for her dinner. The maid waited until it was too cold to eat before removing it. And then longer to see if Skye would arrive late, but she never did. I’ve been to the library numerous times and posted a guard in case I missed her. The books are still scattered on the table where you left them. But she never came back. I’ve questioned all the servants who see to her throughout the day. No one saw her after I spoke with her on her way to see her father.”
He waited a few seconds before adding, “At least no one who is willing to admit it.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
