We stand here awkwardly, staring at one another. I have so many questions, but I don’t want to ask them at the same time.
“I’ll see you later,” he finally grunts.
My fingers curl at my sides as he steps past me.
“Is it true?” I ask, not turning around to face him.
“I don’t want to do this right now, Thayla.”
“Well, when?” I spin around. “If it’s true, he deserves—”
“Deserves? He hates me.”
“Okay, and? Sevryn believes you at one point in time were best friends with his father, and that you’re also the reason his father’s so committed to the God of Obliteration. He’s never been told another story, so if there is one, you should tell him.”
“It’s much more complicated than that.”
“Are you or are you not his uncle? Did Mellcom just use the term loosely or was he serious?”
His comment sent confusion through not only me but my men. We’ve all just been waiting, debating how to bring this up. The last thing any of us wanted to do was just take Mellcom at his word and tell Sevryn something that wasn’t true.
I really don’t know what it’ll change, but it’s still something he deserves to know.
He clenches his fists at his sides and holds my glare.
“Yes, I am his uncle.”
“Then he deserves the truth.”
After an intense moment of him staring at me, I scoff and turn back around.
“Let me tell him,” he shouts after me before quietly adding, “Please.”
I slow my steps, sighing heavily as I peer over my shoulder and study the sincerity on his face.
“Fine. You better make it a point to share with him, though. I’m done keeping secrets from my friends.”
I march forward, not waiting for him to respond. Before I can make it into the Court fully, his words drift to me.
“I’m done too, if you’d just give me a chance.”
I don’t dare look back, nor do I let his words settle inside of me. I’ll give him a chance when—better yet, if—I ever decide to.
Mara greets me with a small smile, and I return it before glancing over at all the Attendants waiting for me. She’s already got them stretching and practicing swinging their swords.
“Thought for a second you weren’t coming, but then Yemi said you stopped to talk to Gladian.”
“Wouldn’t call it much of a talk,” I mutter.
“Yeah, he hasn’t spoken very much since—” She abruptly stops, and I arch a brow at her.
“You’re not going to upset me talking about them.”
She holds her hands up. “Just wanted to make sure. People handle betrayal very differently. Didn’t want to test my luck and end up in a pile of ash.”
I snort. “Fucking hilarious. I’m seriously starting to think you’re actually scared of me doing that. I told you I would never.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re like poking a pissed off taurn, though. I don’t know if you’re just going to swat me off or end my ass.”
