There’re several holes in the wall. Places where the planks rotted through or were destroyed by our antics. Some were patched, but others remain as little windows into the barn.
I peer through them as I approach, my chest already filling with waves of anticipation. Then I catch sight of them, and my heart plummets, leaving a gaping hole larger than the one I’m staring through.
She’s on the ground, her blonde hair spilling around her head. Caiden is on top of her, propped on his elbows, staring down at her with a hungry expression that’s all too familiar. It’s the way I look at her. The way she used to look at me.
The laughter that was there moments ago is gone, replaced by silence so intense I find myself holding my breath. She reaches up to his face and tucks a strand of hair behind his ear. Her hand lingers, and he leans into her touch.
One heartbeat. Two. Three…they’re looking at one another for far too long. Then he pushes away from her until he’s on his knee. He clasps the hand that was touching his face then presses a kiss to her palm.
Her cheeks turn pink. He says something to her I can’t hear. She sits up on her elbows and replies to him, a smile dancing on her lips. Her eyes catch the sunlight, making them fucking sparkle.
For him.
I think I’m going to be sick.
Fuck Caiden. I don’t need his blessing to save my sister. I have a couple of loyal legionnaires stationed at the tower. They’re instructed to ride directly to me if things get out of hand. With any luck, I’d know before Caiden gets word. That’s going to have to be good enough.
The back entrance passes the kitchens, and I nearly collide with Ludis on his way out of them. The lady on his arm gasps, then collects herself, giving a simpering hello. She’s one of Sabina’s but I can’t recall her name.
“So, you weren’t eaten by whatever the mystery monster was,” Ludis says.
“I don’t have time to deal with you,” I tell him.
“Seems to me, you have nothing but time anymore, enforcer. The emperor has someone else managing your legions and someone else guarding hiswife.”
The woman with him worries her lip as she backs closer to the wall.
“It’s too bad, really,” he continues. “Such a waste of talent. If you worked for me…”
“We’ve had this conversation before,” I say. “You know my answer. So kindly, fuck off.”
“Genevieve, darling, why don’t you meet me in my quarters? We men have a few things to discuss,” Ludis says.
She curtseys, then hurries down the hall as if she was waiting on her dismissal.
I step around the spoiled prince and continue my progress, but I hear him following me. “I have nothing to discuss with you, Ludis.”
“How was your darling sister? Is the stone still suppressing her magic enough, or is she breaking through more?”
I don’t know how he found out about my sister’s powers, but I am still not going to humor him with a response.
“Is she summoning them even when she’s not making changes anymore? That’s how you know you’re near the end. Though, most of them never live as long as she did, so we really can’t know for sure.”
I slow down, but don’t look back. He shouldn’t know any of this.
“Is her sanity still intact? Because once that’s gone, there’s really nothing you can do.”
I turn, then throw him against the wall in a fluid movement. His momentary surprise melts into a self-satisfied grin. “I hit a tender spot, I see.”
“How do you know any of this?” I snarl.
“I told you, I can save her,” he says.
“Nobody can save her.” I’ve never said it out loud before. All these years I’ve been searching for a way to help her, and I know my time is running out.
He holds his hands out in front of him in surrender. “Let me go, enforcer. And let’s talk like civilized men. I think we can come to an agreement.”
“I’m not helping you. I am loyal to Pendralia.” I let him go, then turn away. The sooner we can leave this man in Iskvaland, the better.
