“Larkin told us what happened.” Warrick’s voice remains steady and calm. “I’m really sorry, Briar.”
“Thank you,” I say, as I force a smile.
“Let me know what I can do to help,” he smiles. “I’m here for you.”
Warrick’s eyes shift to Silas.
“And for you.”
Silas stands tall, our hands still intertwined, waiting for the words to leave Warrick’s lips regarding the new status of the kingdom. Warrick starts to bow, and Silas extends his hand, his palm pushing against his leaning shoulder, halting him.
“Please,” Silas says. “Don’t.”
Warrick stands upright from the push. “All right. No bowing, then. But my Gods, I never thought I’d live to see the day. Silas Nastronde, King of Andorwood.”
“Things are going to change.” Silas slaps Warrick’s shoulder with a smile. “But, we have much to do before that happens.”
Warrick’s smile fades, and he glances over his shoulder toward the house in the distance. I look around him, half expecting someone to be standing there, but only darkness greets my stare.
Warrick moves away from the contact and says, “You need to know something, Silas.”
“Can it please wait?” Silas asks, defeated.
Warrick shakes his head and glances toward me. I make a pained face, and nod for him to keep going.
“Hux is gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?” Silas questions.
“No one can find him.” Warrick lowers his head. “We think he left.”
My stomach drops.
“With Malachi.”
Silas runs his hands through his hair and pauses to massage his temples. “Find out. Immediately.” He shoots a look in my direction, and I immediately look at the ground.
“I told you,”I say, privately.
“Absolutely the wrong time for gloating,”he snaps.
“Where is Fen?” Silas demands, speaking to Warrick.
Warrick almost recoils and tosses a look over his shoulder toward the house. “In there, waiting on you.”
Silas nods.
“She’s pretty shaken up.” Warrick fidgets.
I hadn’t even considered Fen and her reaction to everything. Not only has Silas’s world just changed, but so has Fen’s. Silas had months to come to terms with everything outside of his father’s truth, while she had been thrown into turmoil in a matter of minutes. I can’t imagine how she’s feeling. She needs her brother right now.
“Are you alright?” Silas asks Warrick.
He sighs, and his lips form a thin line. “She’s a tether? Like you?”
Silas responds, “Yes.”
“She’s linked to someone else, whether she accepts it or not, for the rest of her life?” Warrick glances back at the house, as if he can see her.
