Souls of Aredyrah 2 - The Search for the Unnamed One by Tracy A. Akers Page B

stopping her short.
    “Listen to me,” Mahon said firmly. “Do not
form lies in your mind as I speak. Do not plan your words rather
than listen to mine. I cannot tell you as much as I would like, but
I will tell you this. You cannot see Reiv any more. Nor can you
leave Tearia for any reason.”
    “What are you saying?”
    “Whyn issued more orders than my merely
finding you.”
    “What sort of orders?”
    “I cannot tell you. But there is something
you must answer me, and you must answer me true.” Mahon watched her
face carefully, prepared not to miss a single glimmer of expression
that might betray her words. He realized that what he learned from
her now would be the catalyst for his decision. Either he would
risk all for his king, or he would risk all for his son.
    “Is Dayn our son?” he asked.
    Brina’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Do not
be ridiculous,” she scoffed.
    “How do I know this is not another one of
your lies, Brina? And if it is, why? If he is my son, I have a
right to know.”
    “You gave up your rights a long time ago in
that regard. But even if Dayn were your child, what would you do?
Bring him home to live with you? Proclaim him your heir for all to
see? You would sooner have him murdered in his sleep and tossed
into an unmarked grave.”
    Mahon leaned toward her threateningly. “How
dare you tell me what I would or would not do? You do not know my
heart, Brina. You have not acquainted yourself with it for sixteen
years!”
    “I know all of it I wish to know.”
    Mahon thought to shake her, or maybe even to
throttle her, but he felt incapable of exerting the energy required
to do either. “Very well,” he said. He turned and walked to the
door.
    “Mahon,” Brina called after him. “Why does
Whyn ask of Reiv?”
    Mahon paused, his hand on the latch. Should
he offer her a chance to give her precious nephew warning? He
lifted his head and straightened his shoulders, then continued out
without a word.
     
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Chapter 8: Burden of Truth
     
    I t was late when
Reiv opened an eye to the stab of morning light. The moment he did,
he regretted it. He moaned and squeezed it shut. His head was
throbbing and his body felt as if it had been batted against a
wall. Something about drink and an earring stirred his memory. He
reached a hand to his ear, but felt nothing there other than a
tender spot covered by a blob of ointment. Footsteps could be heard
padding across the floor in his direction. He yanked the blanket
over his head, praying whoever it was would leave him be. He was
not ready to face the world just yet.
    “Reiv? Are you awake?” Dayn asked softly.
    There was no response.
    “Reiv?”
    “Must you shout?” Reiv mumbled beneath the
covers. “I am right here.”
    “I’m not shouting,” Dayn said in an
exaggerated whisper. “Can I get you anything?”
    “A coffin,” Reiv said.
    “Some breakfast in your empty belly might be
better.”
    Reiv groaned, his head still buried beneath
the blanket. “I do not think I will ever eat again.”
    “Some tea, then?”
    “And I will definitely never drink again.”
Reiv eased the blanket from his face and squinted up at his cousin.
“I feel as if I have been beaten by ruffians. Was I?”
    “Nothing as exciting as that. The only
ruffian that assaulted you last night was yourself. Do you remember
anything?”
    Reiv rotated his head in an effort to release
the pain radiating from the top of his skull to the base of his
neck. “Um…a tavern…something about arm wrestling for drinks I
think…an earring…you and Torin…that is about it.”
    “Do you remember Brina?”
    “Brina? She was here…um, yes…I think she was
here.” Reiv’s mouth was thick and his words slow. “Could you fetch
me some water?” he asked.
    “I’ll get it,” Alicine chirped from across
the room.
    “Oh, gods.” Reiv moaned and pulled the covers
back over his head. “I do not think I can take any more pain at the
moment.”
    Alicine’s