《The Legacy of House Auron》 1 Prologue The light stings my eyes as I''m led out to the gallows. Not for the first time, I wish my hands weren''t bound so I could use them to shield myself from the glare. Or cover my ears. The excited shouts of the villagers at my hanging is not something I ever thought I''d have to hear. I meet the eyes of a child who could be no more than ten and flinch. It never fails to disgust me that public hangings are a family affair. I nearly stumble as a guard pushes me. I hadn''t even realised I''d stopped moving. If not for the gag in my mouth I would have cursed the man out. Who cares if it''s not ladylike? I''m about to die. /Don''t think./ Right. Push it away. /Don''t think./ The last thing I want to do is make things harder on those that I''m leaving behind. I scan the crowd as the noose is put around my neck. The relief at not finding the faces I was looking for is nearly overwhelming. The last thing I want is for sweet Arabella and staid Kent to have to see this. Arabella. The poor girl just lost her brother and now she''s about to lose her sister-in-law. Still Kent will take care of her. And in her own way Arabella will take care of him. If not for his duty to protect her he''d probably - /Don''t think./ Right. That doesn''t bear thinking about. The crowd seems to grow ever more boisterous. It''s time then. I feel the trapdoor below me move. 2 Chapter 1 My neck hurts. My eyes snap open in shock. I should be dead - not sitting on a remarkably hard bed in a spartan room. The sight of the man on the only chair in the room makes me do a double take. Those blond locks, playful brown eyes and handsome but boyish looks... It''s a face I didn''t think I''d ever see again. For a moment, I think I''m still dreaming but my dreams never have details this accurate. Perhaps I am dead. "Riel?" Merely saying the name causes a ridiculous amount of strain on my battered throat. He gives me a wry smile. "The one and only." I frown before closing eyes in acceptance. "So I am dead, then." He releases a very undignified snort. "I''m afraid you''re not that lucky." I stiffen at the admission. "Then you''re alive as well." I open my eyes again when I feel the silence has gone on too long. He''s still there, but the look in his eyes tells me his mind isn''t even remotely in the vicinity. With my throat in the state it is I would rather not speak unless necessary. I mean sure I could - /Don''t think./ Right, there is one way to get his attention and take out some of my frustration. I grab one of the pillows and throw it at him as hard as I can. It bounces off him easily but it achieved its purpose. He''s looking at me again and I can''t help but want to slap the amused grin off his face. "Is that really how you react to finding out your husband is alive?" I have a retort for that, but he''s not worth putting myself through more pain. I''ll chew him out when my throat heals. That thought has my brow furrowing. How did I survive, anyway? It was with that question circling my thoughts that I fell asleep. *** I''m alone the next time I wake. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. It doesn''t take me long to realise what woke me. I am practically starving. Still, the thought of swallowing food is nearly enough to cause me to wince. I swallow involuntary and that''s when I notice it. My throat doesn''t hurt anymore. I turn my head to check and - sure enough - there''s no pain. I frown. /Don''t think./ I push those thoughts from my head and make my way off the bed. The moment I leave the room I hear voices deep in conversation. At least three people and of them at least one female. I hesitate for a moment before heading towards the voices. If they''d wanted to harm me they could have done so while I was asleep. I enter the room to realise I was mistaken. There were 3 occupants yes, but no females. Instead 2 adult males and a child - also male. One of the adult males was my husband. He flashes me a smile when he notices me. "So sleeping beauty awakes." I look away to stifle the urge to claw his face off. Still, I notice the child tugging at his shirt insistently. "Riel, Riel, hey Riel, is that your wife? She''s pretty." "Yeah, she is." It takes me a moment to realise that I''ve seen the child before. At my hanging. Of course that also means - /Don''t think./ "I take it that you all know, then." "We wouldn''t have saved you if we didn''t." The third male in the room - a large man with dark hair and darker eyes - spoke for the first time. Something in his voice has my hackles rising. It almost sounds as though he believes that having saved me - he now owns me. "You shouldn''t have bothered." "Don''t say that, Mrs Riel!" I''m almost chagrined by the obvious anguish the thought seems to cause the child. "Do not call me that. I refuse to be referred to as merely the wife of a man who abandoned his family." "I did what I had to." "That doesn''t change the fact that your sister is mourning for you." "I''d rather she mourn me than get caught up in all of this!" "What exactly is all of this?" My husband exchanges an uneasy glance with the other man. "This, Milady, is a rebellion." I have to stop the mocking laughter that threatens to escape me. They will not take kindly to that, no doubt. "A rebellion? Against the king and his court of mages? Are you daft? You''d be killed in an instant." The child whimpers and draws closer to my husband. He rests a consoling hand on the child''s shoulder and shoots me what I suppose is a reproving look. It only highlights the absurdity of this even more. He is too much of a soft touch to ever hope to stand a chance. The other man seems to be made of sturdier stuff and seems more amused by my reaction than anything. "Before perhaps, but now we have a mage of our own." I only just barely stop myself from glaring at his smug expression. "I hope for you sake that you don''t mean me. I have no intentions of joining this rebellion of yours." "Then what are you going to do, hmm? As far as the world is concerned you''re dead and if you were to resurface you''d just be sent straight back to the gallows." There was truth to that statement. Still it was comforting in its own way. If people believed me to be dead then there''d be no danger to Kent or Arabella. Of course, Kent would protect Arabella but who would protect him? He is - /Don''t think./ /Focus./ Right, the middle of a conversation is hardly the place to drift off into a long internal monologue. "A lone mage will not turn the course of a battle. The rebellion will be snuffed out - it''d just result in more casualties. I refuse to be involved in this campaign of needless death." "Needless?! Listen here you pampered little -" "Larcen!" The two men glare at each other before the other man - Larcen? - storms out. "Daddy! Wait for me!" The child runs after him and I find myself mildly surprised at their relation. Only mildly though - it''s not like I look anything like my own father. "Larcen can be abrasive, but don''t hold that against him. He''s lost a lot of people he cares about for this cause." It is only natural that one would lose people one cares about when undertaking such a hopeless cause. "He should cut his losses." "How can you say that? You know the injustice the king subjects people to! He has children taken from their homes the moment they show signs of magic and kills all who object." "An untrained mage is capable of immense destruction. The training they undergo to become part of his army gives them much-needed control of their abilities." "If all he was doing was training them that''d be fine but you and I both know that it''s not. He uses the mages to suppress his people and any who object or resist are killed. Heck even you were sent to the gallows for refusing to join his army once he found out what you are!" "He is the king. We are his loyal subjects." "You can''t tell me you feel any loyalty to the king who ordered your death." "I don''t feel any loyalty to you either." "We saved your life!" "That was your choice - a choice made in the hopes of recruiting a mage." "You''re right - we were hoping to recruit you and can you really blame us? A single mage could level a city if they wished!" "That is precisely why this a horrible idea. Did you even stop to think of the fallout of such a battle? The king could have every village razed looking for you rebels and what about those innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire? What if Arabella was in one of those villages razed?" I take one last look at his conflicted expression before leaving the room. 3 Chapter 2 My hunger makes itself known again a while after I return to the room I woke up in. I try to push it down but it''s remarkably insistent. Still I refuse to leave the room again. I don''t want to take anything offered by these people lest they think it obliges me to help them. I force myself to just stare at the ceiling and try not to think about anything. I''m not sure how much later it is when the child pushes open the door. He''s carrying a tray of food and my traitorous stomach lets out a rumble at the sight. "You must be really hungry, Mrs Riel. You haven''t eaten anything in days on account of being unconscious and all." I deliberately look away from him when I respond. "I told you not to call me that." He shoots me a sheepish look. "Well, I don''t really know what else to call you..." "... Sonia." "Well, Sonia, it''s nice to meetcha. I''m Adrian." I can''t help but wish he hadn''t introduced himself. It''s easier to distance yourself from someone without a name. "How''s your throat feeling? I tried my best but sometimes¡­ Well sometimes my best isn''t good enough..." Had the child just admitted to -? /Don''t think./ "My throat is fine." "That''s good then. Eat up and I''ll be back for the tray later." I nodded. The child turned to leave but halted in the open doorway. "Sonia¡­ I''m glad you''re here. It''s nice to not be the only different one anymore." He left but his words left me thinking for a long time. *** The person who comes to fetch the tray isn''t the child. It''s my husband. He eyes the now empty tray with a smirk that I can''t help but want to get rid of. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "The child is a healer." "Adrian? Yeah and pretty skilled at it too." "That''s the reason Larcen wants this rebellion, isn''t it? To protect his child." "Pretty much. His wife died trying to stop the king''s men from taking Adrian. If they hadn''t faked their deaths they''d still be hunted even now - you know how rare healers are." "They''re rarer than mages. For every healer born there are ten mages and for every mage a thousand people with no magical abilities to speak of." I ignored his response and asked the question that had been nagging me since I woke up. "That executioner was on your side, wasn''t he?" "Yes. He''s sympathetic to our cause. He can''t save everyone he''s assigned to kill but he does try to save the ones we ask him to. He doesn''t always get them to Adrian quickly enough to be saved but he tries." "And when you heard a mage was about to be executed you brought the child to the execution to lower the risk of my dying on the way." "Precisely." "You shouldn''t have bothered." "You don''t mean that." "I''ll tell you what I told the king. I''d rather die than be used as a sentient killing machine no matter the cause." "Look, I get it - you don''t want to join the cause and we''re not going to force you to do anything. We''re just as much of a safe haven as we are a base of the rebellion." I don''t respond. I have nothing to say to that. I don''t want to talk anymore. "So how did the King find out you were a mage? I mean, we were married and I never knew." Apparently my husband feels differently. "Magic is tied to the emotions. Strong emotions lead to outbursts of magic. I had an outburst in public." I keep my sentences terse in the hopes of dissuading him from trying to continue the conversation. "What you were so overcome with joy at my death that you couldn''t control yourself?" It doesn''t work. "Something like that." Finally seeming to get the hint, my husband gathers up the tray, mock bows to me and leaves. I let out a sigh of relief when the door shuts behind him. If I''d known our marriage of convenience would turn out so inconvenient I would have never agreed to it. No, that''s not entirely true. My reasons for agreeing then are just as valid now. As a relation of mine - even just by marriage - Arabella now has the protection of my title and estate. And Kent, as steward of my estate, is still secure. Without an heir the estate would have been reclaimed by the crown and Kent would have been in danger of losing his position if the person elevated to my position chose to do so. Kent would probably have other offers of employment in that case, but his loyalty to House Auron is too deeply rooted in him to accept of his own volition. He would see it as his duty if ordered by the head of the estate but he certainly wouldn''t be happy. In that sense Arabella, despite her insecurities and shyness, is a good heir - she''ll keep him around to guide her in her new responsibilities. She may not be the heir I''d intended - no, I had at least hoped to have a legitimate one of my own before dying - but it could certainly have turned out worse. In a way, Riel and I both got what we wanted - the security of those we cared for. I suppose I could have married someone else, but that would have left Arabella unprotected and - no matter what I feel about her brother - she doesn''t deserve that. So yes, I would have gone through with it regardless. Kent always did say my soft heart would be the death of me. 4 Interlude: Ken Kent frowns at the sudden knock on the door. There are no appointments for Arabella - the current Lady Auron - for the day and very few people would call upon an eligible Lady unannounced. His frown deepens when he sees Lady Auron heading for the door. "Lady Auron, please allow me to see to the door. It is one of my duties." "Ah, of course, Kent. I''m sorry, I just - I''m not used to servants..." He understands that being titled is entirely new to her but he still cannot help but wish she was more aware of the implications her actions could have. Especially because he is not the only servant in the employ of House Auron and he knows just how quickly word can spread. "There is nothing to apologise for, Lady Auron." He is about to tell Lady Auron to wait in a drawing room to receive the guest, but the increasing insistency of the knocking stops him. No, better to stop the knocking before it causes a scene. He opens the door to an immodestly dressed young woman whose long hair covers more of her skin that her clothing. His eyes flick to the pendant nestled between her breasts before coming to rest on her face. Her green eyes are staring at Lady Auron speculatively. He clears his throat. "Perhaps we should adjourn to the drawing room?" Usually he''ll perform introductions, but the longer their guest stands outside the more likely she''ll be seen and the fallout from that may very well be disastrous. The moment he closes the door to the drawing room their guest rounds on him. "Who is she?" He keeps his voice emotionless, knowing that she will latch onto the slightest hint of weakness. "That is the current Lady Auron." He pushes down the urge to smile at her surprised expression. It isn''t often that she gets caught off guard. "Wow, that was quick. The previous one isn''t even cold in the ground yet." Those words cause a surge of pain in him. He has been trying not to think about Sonia''s death. He tries to keep him himself from reacting but she must see something in his expression. "I''m sorry. That was uncalled for." He doesn''t respond. "Look, I can see that I made the trip here for nothing, so I''ll get out of your hair." "You''re heading back to the mountains already?" The question is out before he has the time to think better of it. "I can''t exactly stay. Even coming here was a big enough risk as it is." "Um, Miss?" He nearly starts at Lady Auron''s voice. Kent almost forgot she was even in the room. Their guest turns to look at her but doesn''t speak. They wait for their guest''s reaction. She plays with her pendant as she seem to think it over. It''s him that she stares at even as she responds to Lady Auron. "I''d rather not stay where I''m not wanted." Lady Auron is quick to reassure her but they both know Lady Auron isn''t who she was referring to. "Lady Auron, could you excuse us for a moment?" The question is low and hesitant even as it leaves his mouth. "Oh, of course!" They barely notice as Lady Auron practically scurries out of the room, her blonde hair billowing behind her in her haste. "Why did you come here?" Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. He knows the words are insensitive, but he doesn''t care. "I''d thought that with Sonia dead you''d finally be done with your duty to House Auron. I can see now that I was wrong. You''ll always be beholden to it." She lets out a bitter laugh. "You''re so devoted to it that I''m surprised you haven''t just proposed to the new Lady Auron to ensure the line continues. Then again, maybe you have and I''m unaware of it. After all, not all news reaches the mountains." He feels his annoyance build with every single one of her words. By the time he speaks, every word that leaves his mouth seems lined with it. "I am a steward of House Auron - nothing more. I''d never want to be more and for you to presume otherwise..." He practically bites off his sentence unsure of how to finish it. His thoughts and emotions are in disarray. "Coming here was a fool''s errand. Give my condolences to Lady Auron." She spins on her heel and leaves before he can stop her. 5 Chapter 3 It is almost surprisingly easy to settle into a routine. I barely leave the room so the only people I have contact with are my husband and the child. Still, I''m not so foolish as to think that the only people staying in this house are those I''ve met. Occasionally my husband and the child try to convince me to meet the other rebels. I always refuse. I can see that my husband thinks I''m doing it to be spiteful, but that''s not the case. In truth it''s because I''m afraid. I don''t want to see them look at me with fear or even worse - hope. I can''t help but wonder how my father would have reacted in my situation. Not like it matters. My father was loyal to the King. In this position he''d either take out the leader of the rebellion or pretend to join them only to betray them later. Neither of those options are something I can do. I pull my knees to my chest. All I really want is to go home. To see Kent and Arabella and reclaim my estate and title. But I''ll never be able to do that - not as long as I''m supposed to be dead. To that end helping these rebels is probably my best option, but¡­ Will I ever be able to live with the knowledge that others would have to die to grant my selfish wish? No, better to do nothing. I hastily rearrange myself on the bed when I hear a knock. If my husband finds out just how conflicted I am, he will use it against me. "Come in." He enters before I even finish speaking. I tense at the worry that seems to be radiating off him. "What''s wrong?" He starts at my words - almost as if surprised I was in the room. A foolish notion seeing as I barely left it. "Someone paid House Auron a visit recently." I shrug, trying to project an air of indifference. "That''s no surprise - people will want to size up the new Lady Auron. Kent will make sure nothing bad happens." "Will he?" His worry shifts to rage. "His loyalty is to House Auron - that''s not going to change just because I''m no longer it''s head. He''ll make sure the new Lady Auron is beyond reproach." "Then why would he allow someone of questionable repute entry?" He wouldn''t. There''s obviously something being left out. "Exactly what do you mean by questionable repute?" "Oh, you know - a - a lady of the night!" My eyebrows nearly disappear into my hair. Kent and a prostitute? If not a prostitute - then someone dressed like one, but who would -? Oh. Her. "This ''Lady of the Night'', did she by any chance have a necklace?" "What does that matter?" "I guess it doesn''t." The chances of anyone recognising her are slim and as long as no one does - Kent and Arabella are still safe. It was reckless to invite her in, definitely, but not nearly as reckless as it would have been to be seen in public with her. "It won''t happen again. She was probably only there to make sure I was dead." She''s probably already on her way back to her isolated mountains. That was probably the wrong thing to say. I can see the moment he realises she wasn''t just a prostitute. "Sonia, who was that?" "It doesn''t matter." "Dammit, Sonia, my sister could be in trouble!" The worry is back ten-fold. Still telling the truth will only make things worse. "She''s a ghost of the past. That''s all." I can see that he doesn''t believe me. I don''t really care. It''s not my job to reassure or coddle him. Heck, now that I''m "dead" it''s not my job to do anything. I turn my back on him, not willing to discuss this any further. 6 Chapter 4 An insistent knock has me frown. The child''s knocks are always soft and hesitant while my husband''s are firm and short. "Who is it?" I ask the question but am aware that it didn''t really matter. Without a lock on the door a lack of permission wouldn''t stop someone determined from entering. "... Larcen." He practically bites out his own name. "Come in." I would prefer not to speak to him but the manners that had been drilled into me dictated that I at least hear him out. He enters the room looking distinctly uncomfortable. Good - I''m not the only one. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" I take pains to ensure my voice is coldly polite. "Look, I get that actually fighting upsets your delicate sensibilities or whatever but we need your help." If not for the fact that it is unbecoming of a Lady I would have snorted at his assumption. Still I wasn''t about to enlighten him of the true cause of my reticence. "How many times must I refuse before you accept that you saved me for nothing?" The anger my question causes is clear but it doesn''t frighten me in the least. "Fine - don''t fight but at least make yourself useful. As a noble you must know something that could help us." I can''t help the derisive laugh that escapes me. "What I know is that this is a fool''s errand. To get to the King you''d need to take the castle and that is not possible." Not without a master strategist and certainly not with some ragtag bunch of villagers as soldiers. "The castle has been taken before." The conviction in his voice almost makes me feel sorry for him. "Yes - with a master strategist and a proper army, not to mention a battalion of mages. Even then they only barely won. You have none of that. Not to mention that the defenses were fortified to prevent such an attack in future." Tales of the current king retaking the castle from a far superior army that had decimated the royal guard and killed the captured royalty as a show of force are well known but few remember that it had cost greatly. In little over the span of my life it had become the stuff of legends just for how improbable it was. The current king - the youngest son of the previous king - only survived because he had been sent on a "diplomatic mission" to another kingdom - no one ever seemed to question why he needed an army for a diplomatic mission, but that''s neither here nor there. He spent the next 5 five years trying to recruit additional allies as well as mages. It was by sheer coincidence that he met a master tactician who was low on his luck and looking for a challenge. It took months of planning before they were ready to attack and even then the plan relied heavily on mages and required that at two thirds of the army walk into certain death. A surprising amount of them had been happy to do so - whether it was for revenge, out of loyalty to the crown or just because they had nothing to live for - but it doesn''t make the sacrifice any less staggering. Once he''d claimed the crown the king had declared that it would be mandatory for all mages and the like to be taken from a young age to join the army so that there would never be a risk of the castle being taken by force ever again. The tactician was given an official position and a marriage into a noble home and estate. His death just five years ago had been a blow to the kingdom. I give my head a mental shake. This is not the time to be thinking about any of this - especially not with Larcen in the room observing my reactions. He was obviously waiting for me to say or do something. Why else would he have remained while I was lost in thought? "Look, Larcen, there''s nothing I can do to help you." His frustration is practically a living thing consuming the air in the room. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. I want him and it gone. "You mean you refuse to help." "Yes." 7 Interlude: Arabella Not for the first time today, Arabella sees Kent staring off into space with a faraway look in his eyes. Ever since the stranger''s visit he''s been... different. Sure he is still the perfectly proper servant he''s always been, but even when Sonia was killed he hadn''t been this distracted. Arabella knows that Kent had been in as much pain as she had, if not more, but he hadn''t let it show at all. No, his eyes had remained as icy as their colour. It worried her then, but something that can cause him to react like this? That worries her more. After all, with Riel dead and Sonia too, Kent is all that stands between her and those who would take advantage of how new she is to all of this. "Kent?" She calls his name hesitantly when it seems like he won''t snap out of it on his own anytime soon. His eyes immediately lose that faraway look, but he''s still as distant as ever when he bows to her and offers an apology. "I''m sorry, was there anything that you require of me?" Arabella shifts uncomfortably. Perhaps this isn''t the smartest idea - it''s not like they are close in any way. "Lady Auron?" It''s the title that helps her make a decision. Lady Auron - Sonia - was kind to her and the least she owes her is ensuring that one of the few people Sonia cherished is alright. "Kent, I''d like to talk." His expression doesn''t change but something about the set of his shoulders seems to broadcast wariness. "Have I displeased you in some way?" "No!" Her answer is immediate. The thought of the attentive Kent displeasing her is practically laughable. His only response is a slight furrowing of his brow. "I just - I''ve noticed that you seem... distracted lately." "I apologise. I''m dealing with some personal issues. I was not aware that it was affecting my work and will take pains to ensure that it no longer does." Arabella mentally curses her word choice. "That''s not what I meant. Your work is impeccable, as always." Arabella isn''t oblivious to the fact that his skillful handling of the staff, politics, estate - and possibly a million other things she isn''t even aware of - is the only thing stopping her from drowning under the weight of her new position and duties. Kent "Then please forgive my bluntness, but I don''t see the issue." His furrowed brow is evidence that he sincerely means that and is not just saying it to be rude. Arabella sighs. This is proving a lot harder than she expected. "Look, Kent, I''m worried about you." He seems almost distressed at that. Well as distressed as Kent ever seems. "Lady Auron, I am not worthy of your concern." It hasn''t been so long that she''s forgotten what it feels like to be considered below the concern of others. The thought of Kent feeling that way is something she cannot abide. "How can you say that?! There is no such thing as someone unworthy of care." For a moment he looks taken aback by her outburst but he quickly recovers. "All I meant is that it is my job to ease your worries not add to them." Those softly spoken words are all it takes to bank the flames of her fury. "Kent¡­ Look, I know I''m not Sonia and that I can never replace her and to be honest I''d never want to replace her but¡­ Would it be too much to ask that you maybe consider me the way you considered her?" Kent holds himself unnaturally still at those words. "I''m not sure what you mean." Arabella winces. She is not unaware of the rumours regarding Sonia and Kent. Those nasty rumours of them being far too close for mere master and servant. She wasn''t thinking of them when she made her request but she can see why Kent would make that connection. "I''d like for you to consider treating me as a friend and not just Lady Auron. I don''t exactly have many left." Kent lets out a slow breath. It''s almost as though his next words physically pain him. "All I have to give is my dutiful service. Please do not ask anything more. There''s nothing of me left." He doesn''t wait for a response. 8 Chapter 5 The kid comes to see me again. His usual happy energy is nowhere to be seen. Instead he looks tired and drained. That''s not what shocks me the most though. No. What shocks me the most is when he practically flings himself into my arms and starts to sob. I don''t put my arms around him. I honestly don''t know what to do. I''ve never had to comfort a sobbing child before. Still he must have found comfort somehow. It isn''t long but feels like an eternity before his shuddering sobs subside and he finally pulls away. "What''s wrong?" Something obviously is. Every time I''ve seen him he''s been bright and cheerful and now he can barely keep it together. He doesn''t answer me. He just shakes his head. Still I feel his pain as clearly as my own. "You don''t have to tell me." I know I haven''t exactly been forthcoming either. "Just¡­ Just tell me what to do." I want to soothe his pain in any way I can. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. I want to see him smile again. Sadness doesn''t suit him. "Hold me? Please¡­?" His broken voice is almost more than I can take. Tossing aside my reservations I scoop him into my arms. I clamp down on my instinctive recoil and just hold him tighter. He needs this. After all he''s done to help me the least I can do is help alleviate his pain. *** Larcen finds us like that some hours later. He doesn''t say anything, just scoops the now sleeping kid into his arms. Everything about him screams defeated. Something big obviously went down. He looks like he''s about to say something, but he just lets out a sigh instead. When he leaves the room feels colder somehow and I''m keenly aware of just how empty my arms are. *** My husband comes to see me that night. He looks just as bad as the kid and Larcen had. "Thank you... for taking care of Adrian." I shrug. I didn''t really do anything and even if I did it was for the kid, not him. He takes a seat on a chair next to the bed dashing my hopes that he''ll leave soon. He shoots me a wry smile when he sees the annoyance I don''t bother hiding. I try to stifle my curiosity. Anything that can cause reactions like this is something I''m better off not knowing. Still I wasn''t raised to ignore things that can affect me in future. If this place is found out then I''ll be captured and hung again. No, not just me. The kid, my husband, Larcen and everyone else here. "What happened?" He frowns slightly. "Do you really want to know?" The question comes out wary. Do I? I give a hesitant nod. "Some of the guys decided to do a recon run to the palace. That''s all it was supposed to be: recon." I have a sinking feeling in my stomach about this but it''s too late to back out. "Recon isn''t all that happened, is it?" He scoffed derisively. "Somehow they must have given their position away because the guards were waiting for them." I stiffen. I know what''s coming. "These guys they weren''t warriors. Before this they were peaceful farmers. They were strong but unskilled. They stood no chance." He doesn''t meet my eyes. That''s good, because I can''t bring myself to meet his either. A warning from me could have prevented this. I don''t say anything. What could ever be enough at a time like this? After a moment he continues. "They managed to get away. They made it here. Adrian tried to heal them but their wounds were too many and too damaging. All it did was prolong their agony." I wince. The kid doesn''t deserve to feel that kind of guilt and anguish. The knowledge that people are counting on you and yet no matter how hard you try and how much you want to help, you''re powerless to do anything. Riel lets out a heavy breath and gets up. "Look, I know you probably don''t care about any of this, but thank you for listening." I give him a jerky nod. I don''t know how long I sit there after he leaves. I can''t help but wish Kent was with me. He''d dispel my doubts. He''d tell me what to do. No. I can''t expect to rely on him all my life. She is right. I have been using him as a crutch. My father would be so disappointed. He did not raise me to be weak and waver. This entire time, I''ve been hiding behind excuses. I keep telling myself that none of this has anything to do with me. But that''s not true. I''m involved whether I like it or not. This rebellion puts everyone in danger. If even a single action of mine prevents those I care for from becoming collateral damage then isn''t it worth putting aside my own reservations? Still¡­ A single mage isn''t going to turn the tide. No, to stand a fighting chance we need something else. Someone else. Can I swallow my pride long enough to do this? For those who mean most to me.... 9 Chapter 6 My resolve makes me restless. I''ve wasted enough time. Too much time. The longer this drags on the greater the risks to those I love. It''s that thought that makes me leave my room. I walk through unfamiliar halls, passing people who barely even notice me. In these borrowed clothes I must look like just another person seeking refuge. Just another unremarkable face in the crowd. And yet, these faces aren''t unremarkable. The anguish and weariness etched onto them calls to something deep within me. I hasten my steps. I did not leave my room just to wallow in misery. No, I have a clear goal in mind. It takes me a while to find Larcen. When I finally find him, he''s poring over some maps so intently that he doesn''t even notice me enter the room. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "I don''t get it. How are they always one step ahead of us?" The words are muttered to himself, but it''s the perfect segue into the topic I want to discuss. "The King has an experienced low-level telepath." If he''s at all surprised by my sudden words he doesn''t show it. He turns my words over in his head before asking the question on his mind. "What exactly can a low level telepath do?" "Low levels find it hard to focus on grabbing thoughts. They can only zero in on direct conscious thoughts tied to strong emotions." He nods, taking my words as truth despite the rarity of telepaths, even at low levels. "How do you know this?" "I''ve met her." Beautiful, but cold with eyes that see into your soul. Just the memory of those eyes makes me shiver. "Right. Well, how do we counteract it? By not feeling anything? By not thinking?" I can practically see the wheels spinning in his head. "There''s that, but there''s also interference." "Interference?" "Using other thoughts - thoughts tied to strong emotions to draw their focus away. Don''t think about what you''re doing or saying." "That''s most helpful." It''s at this that he fixes his gaze on me. "I thought you didn''t want to help us?" I shrug. "I still don''t." "Then why?" He takes my words at face value. "With this information and your magic we may actually stand a chance." "No, we still don''t. What I said earlier still stands. You have no army of mages and no master tactician." My words were blunt. An overconfident leader will get us all killed. "Well those don''t exactly grow on trees. Besides the king doesn''t have his master tactician either." I quell down the instinctive pain at the mention of his death. "Yes, but said tactician died to secure victory against a mid level telepath. Do you really expect us to fare much better?" He narrowed his eyes at me. "You honestly can''t expect me to believe that you''d suddenly decide to join a losing battle." My doubts come back. What if I''m wrong? What if it''s not enough? No. It has to be. "There is someone..." He furrow his brow in confusion. "Someone?" "Yes. A tactician that even he said would surpass him one day." "I find it hard to believe that the king wouldn''t have recruited this tactician." "He didn''t have a choice. She''s not someone who can be forced into doing anything." If he finds the gender a surprise it doesn''t show. "What makes you think she''ll want to help us?" "To be frank, I don''t." "Then why suggest it?" I can see his irritation building. "Because there is a chance, however small, that I can convince her. She will at the very least hear me out. She owes me that much." He contemplates it for a while before coming to a decision. "What do you need?" "I''ll need to travel to the mountains to see her." He frowns, obviously not pleased with this. Not that I can blame him. "How do I know you won''t just try to run back to the king?" A valid question. He has no reason to trust me. "You don''t." I can see the moment when the temptation of a master tactician overshadows his concerns. "Fine. We''ll ready things for your trip to the mountains, but..." Something about the way he drew out the but had me on edge. "But what?" "Riel will accompany you." I clamp down my instinctive panic. She will never let me in with him there! "I refuse." Larcen shrugs. "I can''t exactly risk you running off or getting yourself killed. Consider him insurance." "He''ll ruin my chances. She''s a very private person and a stranger will set her off." 10 Interlude: Ken In an uncharacteristic show of weariness, Kent rubs his temples. The weeks since Sonia''s death have been hard but the time since her visit has been worse. He was able to compartmentalise his feelings until she came and drew them out. It even got bad enough that the current Lady Auron had called him out on it. His father would be so disappointed. He was raised to always keep up his proper facade. His emotions should never be on display. It is unbecoming for one of his kind. And yet¡­ What is he supposed to do when they overwhelm him - when the itch beneath his skin can no longer be ignored? He finds himself entertaining impossible thoughts, but logic always sweeps them away. A part of him wishes she had never come to see him after Sonia''s death. What was she expecting? That he''d leave everything behind to follow her? He has never had such luxuries. He can''t leave everything behind like she can. No, his is a life of duty. Emotions are unwanted and unneeded. He can''t quiet the voice in the back of his head that reminds him that Sonia made him feel too. But then she has always been special. Not for the first time he starts to recall days from so long ago. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Days when his father was alive. Days when he was content just watching. Days when this estate was filled with laughter. Days of stolen moments and breathless whispers. Even annoyed looks seem sweet in hindsight. He''d entertained fantasies then - dreamt of a future that could never be his. He gives his head an impatient shake. He cannot afford thoughts like these. They are nothing more than a hindrance. Lady Auron has already started to notice his forays into his memories. He cannot live in the past. There is no point dwelling on what can''t be changed. He needs to focus on the things he can do. His duty remains, as always, to House Auron. With that thought firming his resolve, he leaves his private room. 11 Chapter 7 Not for the first time, I sneak a glance at my husband. Ever since we left on this journey to the mountains he''s been radiating irritation. He obviously doesn''t believe that I''m telling the truth. Still that''s his problem, not mine. Of course it wouldn''t hurt to smooth things over. The journey is long enough without the heavy silence making it seem longer. "I don''t see why you''re so annoyed." Perhaps not the most tactful opening but his irritation is rubbing off on me. "You don''t? Let''s see¡­ I''m forced to babysit you on a wild goose chase that is probably just a ruse for you to try and run away and all the while my sis-" He cuts himself off, obviously having said more than he intended. "You know what? Just forget it." Someone else might have listened. I am not someone else. "While Arabella what?" He looks away visibly angry at his slip. "Answer me, Riel." "It doesn''t matter. I''m just being a paranoid big brother." His words are believable enough and yet¡­ My instincts scream that he is lying. "Don''t lie to me, Riel. I may not act like it but I am a mage." He hesitates for a moment before meeting my gaze. "My spies have reported an unusual amount of interest in Arabella from the crown" The existence of spies was no surprise. How else would he have known of her visit? As for the crown''s interest, a new noble not of noble blood would definitely have caused a stir. "She has Kent. He''ll keep her safe." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Like he kept you safe? Where was he when you were hanged?" I clamp down on the surge of magic within me. Riel will never know how close his spiteful words came to getting him scorched. "Kent was doing as I asked." I keep my voice carefully controlled. "How can you trust a vassal that would let his master be killed?" His words are reminiscent of those spoken by Kent in our last conversation. Kent had wondered the same. It was only the reminder of his duty that stopped him from acting. A duty that was foisted upon his shoulders at too young an age. "You might believe that but I don''t." I shrug. He doesn''t need to believe it. All that matters is that it''s true. Kent has already allowed House Auron to lay claim to his body, his mind and his heart. It''s only a matter of time before it takes his life as well. There are times when I wish I could change the past and give him back the life he should have had. And yet¡­ Kent chose this life. It''s not my place to second guess it. Speaking of choices and second guesses¡­ "We''re almost there." My husband looks around at the mountain path. "How can you tell? This all looks the same." I can''t help the soft smile at the familiar tug within me. "I just do." He stares at me intently before letting out a sigh. "Let me guess, it''s some magic thing." "You could say that." I scan our surroundings curiously. There''s an unmistakable feeling of wrongness about it. It''s almost as though my instincts are screaming that what my body perceives isn''t the truth. "An illusion?" At my words my husband draws to an immediate stop. The rumours about these mountains are common knowledge. A place where even the king fears to tread. A place filled with magical beings who will destroy any who dare trespass. I''m reasonably certain that I''ll be allowed through but him? She has no reason to overlook his presence. "Maybe you should stay here." Our marriage may be one of convenience but that doesn''t mean I want to see him die. He''s silent for a long moment. "No, Larcen would never forgive me if I let you go alone and you decided not to return." He squares his shoulders as though expecting a fight. He obviously doesn''t realise that I''m already too far gone to consider abandoning them now. "Fine, but stay close to me." I try to dispel the illusion but it holds firm against my attempts. It''s painfully obvious that it''s creator is stronger than I am. A clean break may be out of the question but there''s more than one way to skin a cat. I close my eyes and focus my magic. It takes a while but soon my magically augmented mind''s eyes can see the true terrain. Eyes still closed, I make my way to a small cabin that the magic had cloaked. It''s not the only place under protection but it''s the one that calls to me. I can feel the warmth of Riel''s presence at my back. It''s almost disconcertingly close. The door to the cabin suddenly swings open snapping me out of my contemplation of my husband. "Looks like someone''s expecting us." Despite the light tone there''s an undercurrent of fear in his voice. A tinge of amusement has me opening my eyes and allowing my magic to recede. The inside of the cabin is perfectly visible with the door open in invitation. I only hesitate for a moment before crossing the threshold. My husband follows. A quick glance reveals a messy but empty room. "So this master tactician friend of yours is a mage?" "We''re not friends." I answer reflexively. We haven''t been friends for a long time. Not since before my father died. Not since before she - I force myself not to think of that. Animosity towards her will not help our case. "She''s not a mage." My husband''s brow furrows in confusion. "Then what''s with the illusions and the door?" "It''s magic, just not mine." An amused voice comes from around the corner. 12 Chapter 8 A moment later the person the voice belongs to walks into sight. "Looks like I was right. You did have to die before you''d bother to come see me, Sonia." I glare at her. There''s no point hiding my emotions around her. "You''re the one who left." "I did what was necessary." She''s completely emotionless when she responds. I can''t help but flick my gaze to the pendant nestled between her breasts. Her smirk tells me that she caught the move. "You''d be surprised just how¡­ enlightening living here has been." "I hear that you visited Kent." "I did. He''s devastated at your death." I clamp down on my guilt but not fast enough. The way her gaze softens makes it clear that she caught it. "He''ll be overjoyed to find out that you''re alive." She doesn''t bother to hide the bitterness in her voice. I shrug. "What do you think of the new Lady Auron?" My husband stiffens at my question but is just as interested in the answer as I am. She glances at one of the books scattered around as she gives her answer. "She''s perfectly nice. She''d make a good little housewife, but she has no place being Lady Auron. Kent is practically carrying her and he will buckle under the weight." She voices my own worries. Still I don''t want to believe that. "You''re underestimating him." She scoffs. "Do you really think me capable of that? He knows it too, but he''s too damn duty-bound to put his own well being ahead of House Auron." She says House Auron like a curse. In a way I guess it is. "We didn''t come here to chit-chat about the vassal. Can we get to the point already?" My husband''s words are laced with impatience. For the first time since she entered the room, she looks at him. I can practically see her emotional barriers go up. I want to smack him for drawing attention to himself. Our chances are slim enough without pissing her off. She turns her gaze back to me. "So this is the husband? He''s not at all what I expected." "He suited my purposes." His impatience is obvious. "Stop talking about me like I''m not in the room." The irritation in his voice is clear. "He''s loud." I shrug. "I suppose there''s something you want from me. You wouldn''t have come here otherwise." She was done stalling. "You''re right. I need a favour." She let out a wry chuckle. "And here I thought the dead didn''t need any favours." My only response is to level my gaze at her. She holds my gaze for a while before finally averting her eyes with a sigh. When we moved to follow her out of the room she suddenly stopped. "Not the loud one." "I''m not letting her out of my sight!" I know his outburst is more worry that I''d ''escape'' than anything else and yet¡­ It leaves me feeling oddly warm. She rolls her eyes at him. "Be glad I even let you in here. Quite frankly you''re a distraction and a nuisance." My husband looks like he''s about to protest but I don''t give him a chance. "Riel, I will come back, I promise. Now let me do what I need to do." He visibly struggles with the decision before backing down. "Thank you." I whisper the words, not even sure if he can hear them, before following her out of the room. "He''s not happy." She sounds unbelievably weary. The impression is aided by her rubbing at her temples. "Are you okay?" I''m not asking merely to be polite. Weariness could impair her thinking and that''s the last thing we want in a tactician. "Unlike you I haven''t spent the last few years surrounded by people. It''s more exhausting than I remembered." I can''t help but feel chagrined at that. I know how interacting with people - strangers especially - affects her and here I am about to ask her to do it more. "I thought this was supposed to be a tight knit community or something." She shrugs. "It is, but that doesn''t mean people will just force themselves into your life. We respect each others boundaries here. We protect our own, even from ourselves." I can''t help but think of Kent at her words. He shows the same kind of caring. Suddenly all traces of weariness are gone. She draws herself up to her full height and fixes me with her piercing gaze. "So tell me, Lady Sonia of House Auron, what would you request of me? I thought I settled my debt when I left." I clamp down on my guilt. I did what was necessary at the time. She was a source of pain that would have destroyed House Auron. Her bitter smile makes it clear that she''s reading me like a book. "I''m not Kent, Lady Sonia. You and House Auron have no hold over me. I am under no obligation to help you in any way. I refuse to be abused like him." The remoteness in her voice has me flinching. It''s not like Kent''s comforting restraint. It''s cold and hard. Unnatural, even. I steel myself to ask what I need. "We require your expertise." She furrows her brow at this. "My expertise? Tell me that you did not just ask me to orchestrate the death of other human beings." I didn''t think it possible but her voice gets even colder. "I know it''s a lot to ask but -" She cuts me off with an impatient flick of her arm. "And they say your father was ruthless. You would truly ask this of me?" "You have to understand -" "I have to do nothing, Lordling. I let you into my home and you ask me to do something that goes against every fibre of my being. You of all people should know-" This time I cut her off. "You''re right. I do know. I wouldn''t ask this if it wasn''t necessary." She''s still wary but she lets me continue. "Do you know of the rebellion against the King?" She lifts one shoulder in a careless shrug. "A ragtag rebellion being led by a desperate man. It will never work even if I helped. Your father did too good a job organising the castle''s defense." My spirits deflate at her confirmation of my own fears. "But what if it could? If the King was toppled then the gifted wouldn''t have to live in fear. You could return to the kingdom." "There''s nothing left for me there. I''m going to need more motivation than that." "If the King isn''t toppled soon Kent will be in danger." She flinches bodily. I can''t afford to regret it though. Anything that gets her to agree is necessary. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "What do you mean Kent will be in danger?" "Kent will do anything to protect the current Lady Auron." "He always has. That puts him in no more danger than when he was protecting you." "If only that were the case. Arabella rising to my position did not escape notice. It''s going to stir some trouble and if anyone looks too closely into House Auron''s affairs..." She swears under her breath. "Damn you, Sonia! How could you open Kent up to that kind of scrutiny?" "It wasn''t intentional. I didn''t expect to die." She starts to pace. "People won''t necessarily make the connection. They see what they want to see. He''s still safe." It''s obvious that she''s trying to convince herself not me, but I can''t allow that. "Even if the connection isn''t made, as long as the rebellion drags on Arabella and Kent are at risk of being collateral damage. We need to end this quickly." "You want to end it quickly? Send the rebellion to their deaths. Problem solved. As for Kent¡­ Have him come to the mountains. The King will never get him then." I don''t bother trying to stifle the pain that thought brings. Innocent Adrian, passionate Riel, even the ever-jaded Larcen¡­ Their lives snuffed out by the King''s army. Kent forced to leave everything he knows behind. No. That is not an option. "I see. So you''ve grown attached." I can''t meet her all too knowing gaze. "Look, even if I wanted to help, I can''t. I won''t be responsible for the deaths of these people." "If you don''t help they''ll die anyway." My voice cracks. Her conflicted expression darkens and she looks on the verge of capitulation but turns her back to me instead. "If you''re going to ask something so huge from me then it''s only fitting I ask something of you in return." I nod even though she can''t see it. "Ask and if I can give it to you I will." She draws in a deep breath. "Kent. Give me Kent. Relieve him of his duty to House Auron and give him to me." I expected the requested on an intellectual level, but it still leaves me floored emotionally. "I can''t! He''s not mine to give!" She lets out a low laugh. It sounds hollow to my ears. "Of course he isn''t. He''s hers now." For some reason the thought causes pain to rise up within me. "If we manage to topple the King though, then you can return to your life. If you do then he will return to your side. He will be yours again. In exchange for my help you will give him to me." I recoil at the thought of treating Kent like some toy to be bartered, but her voice makes it clear that she won''t budge on this. If I don''t agree we stand no chance. If I do I could very well be destroying the life of someone who means the world to me. "Come now, Lordling, it''s not that hard of a decision. If we manage to topple the King I get Kent and you get your bright and shiny new kingdom where people with magic aren''t treated merely as pawns. If not, well we both lose, but without me you''d lose anyway." I know she''s right. Even with her help the chance of success is miniscule, but it is a chance. Kent would¡­ Kent would gladly give his life to protect others. And she would never harm him. Not intentionally at least. "Do we have a deal, Lordling?" Do we¡­? There''s really only one decision I can make. Forgive me, Kent. "We do." "Good. I hope you don''t mind if we just skip the whole handshaking bit. I don''t think either of us would enjoy it." I don''t respond to that. I got what I wanted so why¡­? 13 Interlude: Arabella Not for the first time today, Arabella sighs. She has not caught Kent daydreaming since she confronted him, but she is under no misconception that it stopped. No, he is just determined to hide it from her. What she does not understand is why. Yes, he is a vassal and she is his ''master'' but that doesn''t mean that they can''t be friends. He is not the only one that''s hurting. They can provide each other comfort. Sometimes an attentive ear can soothe the aches of the soul. It''s funny but when it was just her and Riel she was never lonely, but now¡­ She''s surrounded by a houseful of people and she''s never felt more alone. Is this what Sonia felt like? If so, it''s no wonder she jumped at the chance to be friends with a nobody. Arabella has wondered why a Lady of noble birth would trouble herself with an unremarkable peasant. Now though, she wonders how Sonia went so long without seeking outside comfort. Then again¡­ It''s possible they never treated Sonia with such distance. After all, most of them would have been part of the household since before she was born. It''s only natural that they''d care more for her than a usurper. She shakes her head. She doesn''t have the luxury of these kind of thoughts. No, as Lady Auron it falls to her to ensure that the house is above reproach. One misstep and the crown can take it all away. They will take it as proof that someone not of noble blood should not be allowed to ascend. She will be back on the streets and the futures of those who work for the House will become uncertain. She uses that thought to steel herself. People are depending on her. It''s a novel feeling for someone who is used to depending on others for survival and security. She refuses to let them down. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. She knows what it''s like to never know what horrors the future holds. To worry about where you''ll sleep and where your next meal will come from. She won''t let that happen to them. Not to the people Sonia cared for. "Lady Auron." She jumps at the sound of Kent''s voice. She didn''t notice him enter. If he wasn''t so proper she''d think he did it just to get a reaction. "Kent, is there something?" He nods. "Lord Ausset requests a meeting with you." His voice is stiffer than usual when he says it. He''s obviously displeased. "I see. What is the meeting about?" "... He refused to say." Others may have dismissed his pause, but I''ve spent enough time observing Kent to know that it''s a sign of an internal struggle over whether to reveal everything he knows. "Okay. Then tell me, what do you think the meeting is about." "It''s not my place to make assumptions, Lady Auron." "Tell me, Kent." He looks conflicted for a moment before speaking. "Lord Ausset is from an old noble line dating back centuries. His fortune, however, has dwindled over those centuries and he can barely afford upkeep of his House. He seeks to marry into a House of ample means. He tried his luck with the previous Lady Auron as well." He pauses again, but this time continues without prodding. "No doubt he believes you''ll be more amenable as you have very little experience in matters of Lordship and could benefit from having someone relieve you of its burdens. It''s a very sensible thing to do." And it really is. A husband of an old line will quiet the complaints about her own line. Not to mention if she chooses to hand over the responsibility for House Auron to him she will be able to live in comfort without the burdens of the House as her own. It will relieve Kent of the strain on him too. "I see. What is Lord Ausset like?" Even still, if she''s going to marry she refuses to let it be to some slimy old geezer. "Lord Ausset is young." He says it like an insult. "He''s not a child is he?" The thought of having to be a mother to her husband definitely doesn''t sit well. "No, but he''s little older than you are. He came into the title a few years back when his father died in an accident. The man seems to have little substance though. In the time since his father''s death and even before he has done nothing of note." She took a moment to think it over before coming to a decision. "Grant him his meeting." "Lady Auron?" Kent looks alarmed. "I''m not saying I''m going to marry him, but I have to admit I am curious." Kent looks like he''s going to protest, but thinks better of it. He bows and leaves. Perhaps this is the solution to dispelling her worries. A companion for her and someone to lighten the burden Kent was carrying for her. 14 Chapter 9 I still can''t believe she agreed to help us. Even with Kent as leverage there was every possibility that the thought of those deaths would be too much for her. I still remember the way she broke down the first time. Not even Kent could soothe her. I was still young and naive then. I couldn''t understand what happened. I couldn''t understand why the strongest woman I knew was curled on the ground, her body wracked with shuddering sobs. Still her anguish had set me off and before I knew it I was crying too. My father ordered Kent to take me to one of the back rooms and for the first time I saw Kent hesitate to follow a direct order. Still, it didn''t last long. The next thing I knew I was scooped up in Kent''s arms and being carried away. The last thing I saw was my father kneeling down and pulling her close. I must have been a trick of the light but I could have sworn I saw tears slide down his cheeks as well.. Things were tense between all of them after that. My father stopped mentoring her but she remained in our home. Things between Kent and my father just kept getting worse. Yes, Kent remained ever-dutiful, but there was an undercurrent of resentment present whenever he fulfilled one of father''s requests. I didn''t know why - still don''t - but what I knew for certain was that she was the cause. I wanted her gone. She was breaking my family apart. But I was powerless to do anything. She was father''s guest. Then father died. Suddenly I was the head of House Auron, a position I''d been trained for my whole life. I had the power to force her to leave. But I didn''t. I was worried that it''d cause tension between Kent and I. The King was left without a tactician so naturally he sought her out. She refused. The King threatened to force her and destroy all who offered her protection - placing House Auron directly in the line of fire. Kent was ready to defend House Auron to his dying breath, but not even he would have been able to withstand the full onslaught of the King''s might. So I made the decision. I removed the protection of House Auron from her. I threw her to the wolves as it were. Yes, my actions protected House Auron, but¡­ I was glad to be rid of her. It''s ironic, back then Kent''s safety required that she leave and now it requires that she return. "All the magic in the world won''t protect you if your head is always lost up in the clouds." I force myself not to react to her sudden voice. I glance over at her without slowing my gait. The quicker we get back to the safe house the better. Even though I understand her reasons it''s still strange seeing her completely covered by a cloak. Especially because I know she''s still just as scantily dressed under it. "Planning on killing me?" I ask the question but I know the answer. "Nah. Kent would never forgive me." "Can we not talk about killing and death?" My husband looks distinctly uncomfortable as he makes the request. "Are you¡­ You are! You''re squeamish! Sonia, your husband is squeamish!" She sounds so excited as she exclaims over it. I don''t respond. He''s uncomfortable enough. "Is this why you chose him?" That question is so unexpected that I do react. "What?" Why would I choose someone just because they''re squeamish? "Because he emotes more. Compared to Kent and your father the guy practically broadcasts his emotions. It''s exhausting but I can see the appeal." I shrug. Let her think what she wants. "You never have to wonder how he feels." She sounds bitter. Not that I can blame her. Growing up it was one of my biggest frustrations. I never knew if I pleased them. "A lot of good that did. I still didn''t know he was part of rebellion and planning to fake his death." What can I say? I''m still bitter over that. I might not have been expecting love going into the marriage, but honesty? That I wanted. "Well I didn''t know you were a mage." My husband sounds defensive. Good. He should be. "Please don''t have a lover''s quarrel on my account." She sounds so earnest that I''m momentarily taken aback. "I think you have the wrong idea about our marriage." My husband doesn''t seem to have the same problem. "Yes, yes, I know. It was just a business transaction to protect Arabella and House Auron." She waves a hand dismissively. "That doesn''t mean something can''t spring from it." My husband and I exchange uncomfortable glances. "Speaking of Arabella and convenient marriages -" "My sister isn''t marrying anyone!" I almost laugh at his automatic response. "Maybe you should tell her that?" Riel glares at her, but she doesn''t seem fazed in the slightest. "Right, as I was saying, what happens if she does have one and then you come back to life? The title reverts to you, yes, but the husband loses what he stood to gain from the marriage. Could be a messy situation." To be honest I haven''t given much thought to it. My resurrection could leave Arabella in an untenable position if it takes too long. If anything it''s all the more reason to finish this quickly. "Well, let''s hope that doesn''t become an issue." She shrugs. 15 Chapter 10 My husband practically marches us to Larcen when we reach the safe house. Her attire got strange looks from those we passed but no one said anything. Even Larcen raises an eyebrow at it, but wisely doesn''t comment. "So this is the master tactician?" Larcen doesn''t bother to hide his skepticism. She raises her chin defiantly but says nothing. My husband, seeing the tension in the air wisely chooses to excuse himself. "Larcen, may I introduce Master Tactician and Strategist Helena Siyarne de Ausset." I can feel her displeasure with my introduction. "De Ausset? As in House Ausset?" "No. My mother only wished to spite my father with that name. I have no claim to that House." Illegitimate children never do. "Ah, well, as she said, I''m Larcen. I''m the leader of this rebellion." He holds out his hand for her to shake. She doesn''t take it. "I don''t touch anyone. Ever." He drops his hand immediately. "That seems like it''d be hard." She shrugs. "Trust me, it''s for the best." Larcen accepts that and turns back to the map he was studying before we entered. "Do you want to get started?" She shrugs and walks to the other side of the table keeping as much distance between them as possible. Seeing that I am no longer needed I head back to my room. I''m not surprised to see Adrian sitting on my bed. "Sonia! Riel said you were back! Daddy said you wouldn''t come back, but I knew he was wrong! I never doubted." He knocks the breath out of me as he darts across the room to wrap his arms around me. His joy is contagious and I find myself pulling him closer. I hate to admit it but I missed him. He''s such a bundle of energy and life and he''s wormed his way into my heart. All too soon he pulls away. "Riel says you brought someone to help us beat the bad guys. Is it another mage?" "No, she¡­ She''s not a mage." His face drops but he perks back up quickly. "Well, I''m sure she''s awesome anyway!" "She''s something alright." I can''t help but feel uncomfortable with the turn of this conversation. "Oh! Tell me about your trip! You went to the scary mountains, right?" This was something much easier to talk about. I set about telling him a carefully edited tale of our trip to the mountains and back. *** It''s already nightfall and Adrian''s gone by the time I see Helena again. She''s still wearing her cloak and looks thoroughly exhausted when she enters my room. She sinks heavily into my chair without so much as a greeting. I shrug. "I tend to just stay in this room." She shoots me a glare but the effect is ruined by a yawn. "I don''t just mean now. It can''t have been much easier before you died." "I''ve never had it as bad as you. Besides I had Kent as a buffer." "Mmm, he is the best buffer." Her words are dreamy, matching the lazy smile that breaks across her face. She''s fast asleep before I can say anything else. I reach out to wake her before abruptly dropping my hand before it could reach its target. Touching her would be a horrible decision. "Hel?" She doesn''t respond. "Hel, wake up. You can''t sleep here. That chair''s gonna mess up your back." Still no response. She has always been a very heavy sleeper. I can''t wake her. I definitely can''t move her. I heave a sigh before draping a light throw over her, careful not to actually touch her. That done, I climb into my bed. One last look at my unexpected roommate and I find myself drifting to sleep. *** She''s gone when I wake up. The only evidence of her presence is the neatly folded throw on the chair. I hurriedly make myself presentable before leaving the room. She may not be my favourite person in the world, but I can''t help but worry. Most people don''t understand her unique¡­ needs. The last thing we need is someone setting her off. I make my way to what I''ve started to call the war room only to freeze at the sight before me. Larcen''s there, of course, and so is my husband. That comes as no surprise. No, the surprise is that she is kneeling before the kid and talking in soft gentle tones. The kid looks is so engrossed in whatever she''s saying that he doesn''t even notice my arrival. It rankles. Larcen is listening just as intently. My husband inclines his head in greeting, the only one who even seems to notice my presence. No, not the only one. She stops speaking. Her gaze flickers in my direction before she abruptly stands. The kid looks like he''s about to protest, but that''s when he notices me. His entire face seems to light up and my irritation melts away. Against his sheer joy it stood no chance. "Sonia, Lee was just telling me some really cool stuff about healers. You should hear it. It''s great." I mouth "Lee?" at her, bemused. She shrugs. "She knows an awful lot about healers." The kid''s voice is full of awe. "Yes. One wonders how she came across such knowledge." Larcen''s voice is full of skepticism. "It''s a tactician''s job to the full capabilities of all their units. Research into powers was a natural byproduct of that. Granted, most of the theories and data were the work of Lord Auron, but I''ve been able to add a great deal from my time spent in the mountains surrounded by the gifted." Her words bring back memories of my father pushing soldiers to their limits, testing the boundaries of what was possible. They bring to mind nights that he''d spent in his study going over every bit of data he''d found and writing notes. In a way I''m glad that his work didn''t die with him. "Pity you couldn''t get your mountain friends to help. We could use all the firepower we can get." It''s my husband that speaks this time. He sounds worried. "The mountains are a place of refuge not just for this kingdom, but others too. If they were to act against one King it would cause waves. Other monarchs would become wary. They will fear that they will be struck next and they will retaliate. The sanctuary will become a base of war. As for the war itself, it''ll be of a magnitude you could not imagine." "That''s just speculation. The gifted could wipe out any army." My husband says the words, but she has obviously spooked him. "Perhaps, but perhaps not. Either way, they won''t put their lives and the lives of their loved ones at risk like that. Not all of them can protect themselves. Take Adrian for instance. He has a great deal of power and potential but in a straight up fight it wouldn''t be able to protect him." "He could heal himself." She lets out a laugh that sounds more choked than amused. "Only if he survives and even then healing won''t wipe the pain from his memory and it won''t make the enemy stop attacking. What about telepaths? They''d hear the mental screams of others - hear their comrades'' final thoughts." "Stop." My voice is small as I voice my plea. She either doesn''t hear it or just chooses to ignore it. "And then there''s the empaths. Forced to see and feel the pain and the ugliness. Do you have any idea what it''s like to feel someone die? To feel their fear? Their anguish? Their hate? To be so filled with ugly emotions that you don''t even remember how beautiful the good ones can be? To be so consumed with the feelings of others that you''re not even sure you have any of your own?" She practically sneers at him. "You''d do well to remember that not all gifted are mages." "Are you¡­ Are you an empath?" Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Adrian''s voice is small, barely a thread of a sound but there''s no doubt that she hears it. "Yes and I''m not the only one." She looks at me then. "Don''t." The command in my voice is clear, but I know it''s already too late. Larcen is the first to pick up on the implication. "She''s an empath? But she''s a mage." "Not all gifts are mutually exclusive. Having more than one gift does dilute either one or both to the point of uselessness but it is still possible." "How so?" Larcen''s gaze is sharp and unwavering. She looks around for a bit before drawing a circle on one of the sheets of paper scattered over the room. She then bisects it twice so that there are four equal parts. It''s a shape I''ve seen my father draw before. She then makes little stars on the circumference that fall in the centre of each piece. That''s new. "Each of these represents a different gift. Healing, what''s commonly known as magic, empathy and telepathy. Most people know that gifts can go from low level to high, what they don''t realise is that it can go the opposite way as well." "What? Isn''t that the same thing?" Riel doesn''t waste time voicing his confusion. She makes an impatient sound but continues. The sheer amount of confusion that he''s radiating must be maddening to her. "Not quite. See most people think of each gift as an entirely separate category and that a low level is just a low level. In actual fact each gift is more of a spectrum. High-levels are extremely powerful and have great skill in their particular gift and no aptitude for any other. They are also extremely rare and when they do show up they have a tendency to go insane." She points out the stars. They are obviously meant to show the "peak" levels. "Now, mid-levels have less power but that makes controlling the gift easier. They are confined to just one gift." The kid''s face falls at that. "Then you have low-levels. Sometimes a low-level is just a low-level. Small amounts of power with intermittent usage. However it''s also the point at which two gifts can overlap. Usually one will be dominant and the other will manifest only as an aid to it. At other times the lesser gift won''t manifest at all. Then you get special cases, like our little Lordling''s, where neither is truly dominant." "So she can do magic and feel what others do? This could be useful." I don''t like the look in Larcen''s eye. "Empathy is more of a hindrance than anything else. Especially in battle." Apparently she doesn''t either. "Because you''d feel what the enemy does." It''s the kid who voices the thought. "Empathy is a bit of a tricky beast. At high levels you are always feeling what those around you feel. At mid levels you''re always sensitive to what others feel and have the ability to block out some of it. The strong ones can shove their way into you¡­ Physical contact makes it nigh impossible to block. I''m a mid-level." Larcen nods. "So that''s why you shun physical contact." She shrugs. "A low level like Sonia can be influenced by the feelings of others, but is also more detached from them. Unless those feelings are particularly strong only physical contact can force them into her." I can see the moment Adrian makes the connection. "I''m sorry." He sounds so apologetic that it nearly breaks my heart. "Don''t be. You didn''t know." I didn''t want him to know. It''s then that Riel speaks. "Going your entire life without physical contact seems harsh. I mean there''s so many things that you wouldn''t be able to do." She''s quiet for a long moment before the need to get rid off his pity overcomes her. Not for the first time am I grateful to only be a low level empath. "Not everyone broadcasts their emotions. There''s a set of people, that we''ve taken to calling Voids even though it''s not entirely accurate, that are very soothing to empaths. It''s hard to pick up any real feelings from them and even when in direct physical contact they can choose not to let an empath leech their emotions." There''s a faraway look in her eyes and I know she''s thinking about Kent. "Focusing on a Void can help to block out other emotions. Most empaths are naturally attracted to Voids for that reason. Under normal circumstances there''s no compulsion to seek out the source of an emotion when in contact with them. They don''t cloud your judgement." She lets out a long sigh. "Speaking of clouded judgements, can anyone who doesn''t actually need to be in here leave? It''s really exhausting having to deal with all these feelings." 16 Interlude: Ken Kent stares straight ahead of him determined not to react. He may not like the idea of Lady Auron fraternising with the errant Lord Ausset, but it''s not a servant''s place to chastise their master. Especially not in front of someone of higher standing. So instead he stares straight ahead and tries not to interject as Lord Ausset attempts to charm Lady Auron. He is merely an attentive servant. Nothing more. The young Lord''s voice is grating to him. Much too charming and careless. His words drip with honey but Kent knows how easily it can turn to poison instead. He grits his teeth when Lord Ausset asks Lady Auron to call him Timothy and she accepts. That kind of familiarity will start rumours. Lord Ausset, knows that of course. All Lord Ausset wants is a rich bride. He doesn''t care how or why she agrees to be his bride. Just that she brings with her enough funds for the upkeep of his House. Kent can understand that cold-blooded devotion to his House, but he still doesn''t like or trust Lord Ausset. A trained snake is still a snake. Lady Auron, however, doesn''t seem to share his sentiments. If anything she seems to be enjoying the attention. It''s distressing how much she sucks it up. She''s pretty enough that she has to have been flattered before and yet it''s like each of Lord Ausset''s compliments is a revelation to her. Not for the first time, Kent wonders just how protective Lady Auron''s brother had been. Had he chased away all potential suitors and sheltered her to the point that she was vulnerable to a little flattery? Or... is Lady Auron acting? Kent is unable to tell and that worries him most of all. He won''t be able to assist her if he doesn''t know what her game plan is. At the same time, he''s not sure he wants to assist if it will result in Lord Ausset gaining House Auron. To have House Auron tarnished in such a way and become this man''s vassal... Kent is almost relieved when one of Lord Ausset''s servants bursts into the room and ends that train of thought. Lord Ausset excuses himself to speak to the harried man. Kent considers discussing the situation with Lady Auron and dissuading her from further contact with Lord Ausset. The only thing that stops him is that there could very well be someone listening in. It wouldn''t do to make it seem like Lady Auron was reliant on the opinion of a mere servant. It immediately sets Kent on edge. "Lady Auron, you need to leave." There''s no mistaking the urgency in his voice. Kent''s stomach turns even as Lady Auron inquires as to the reason. "What? Why?" "The King''s men are outside. They say they have cause to arrest you." For a moment Kent is frozen. This is all too similar to what happened to Sonia. "What reason could they possibly-?" Kent doesn''t let her finish. He grabs hold of her arm and starts to usher her towards the back of the house. "We need to get out. Now." He refuses to lose another master, especially when there will be no other after her. "He''s right. Leave through the back. I''ll stall them for as long as I can." Lord Ausset follows them but stops at the door to the room. "Stay safe, Lady Auron." With that he turns and goes to greet the ''guests''. Kent leads Lady Auron out into the back alley, looking around furtively for a possible ambush. He wasn''t able to protect Sonia. She chose to give herself over to them. He will not let another Lady Auron make the same mistake. Seeing nothing he leads her down the backstreets heading away from the estates of House Ausset and House Auron. Both of them are probably crawling with the King''s men. They keep moving, needing to duck out of sight of soldiers multiple times. Wherever they go, there are more and more of them. It''s only when night falls that they stop. It''s then that he realises one terrible truth. 17 Chapter 11 The kid is full of hopeful energy. He believes that we can win our little rebellion. I''m not so sure. All it would take is a single miscalculation and we will all die. Our fates lie in the hands of a tactician who herself admits that her judgement is clouded. And yet, I''m strangely fine with that. I trust her. That realisation comes as a shock even to me. I let out a long breath. There''s no turning back now. It doesn''t take long to realise that both my husband and the kid are being more careful around me. It''s annoying. I understand their intentions, but I''m not made of spun glass. I don''t need them to stay a full foot away from me all the time. Still, I can''t bring myself to be truly angry at them. Not when they are doing it out of misguided attempt to protect me. Even so, I have to admit that I preferred it when they didn''t know. It takes me by surprise when she speeds into the common room. Larcen is hot on her heels complaining about her just leaving mid-sentence but she pays him no heed. Instead she makes a beeline for me. "Am I going crazy or can you feel it too?" I only barely stop myself from answering that she''s crazy. Instead I focus on expanding my field of perception. Yes, there are a lot of feelings oozing from the people around, but nothing that could cause such a reaction. At least that''s what I think until I notice it too. A Void. A fast-moving Void. "You feel it too, don''t you?" I nod. Everyone in the room is looking at us like we''re insane but we don''t care. There aren''t very many Voids in the kingdom. "It''s Kent, isn''t it?" She voices what I''m afraid to. "It might not be." Even as I say it I will it not to be true. "If he''s coming here then..." She cuts herself off as the door slams open. My heart nearly stops as Kent stumbles in assisted by a young man. I barely notice as Arabella walks in, sees Riel and practically runs into his arms. No. All my focus is on Kent who looks like he''ll keel over at any moment. He notices me then. "Sonia?" He looks so painfully confused. The kid races to his side to try and heal him, but Kent waves him off, never taking his eyes off me. He lets out a long breath and his face is once again the all too familiar expressionless mask. "I''ll be fine. I just overexerted myself." He takes another breath before giving me a small smile. "I''m glad you''re alright, Lady Auron." I throw my arms around him holding him close and revelling in the familiar presence that is Kent. It''s something I''ve missed dearly. I''m whispering nonsense words, trying to convey my joy and relief, not even caring who''s watching. Even though I can feel him I can barely believe that he''s here. Intellectually I know the circumstances aren''t good and that if he''s here then something bad must have happened but¡­ But I don''t care. Kent''s here. We''re all together again. It feels like there''s no way we could lose. I pull back to drink in the sight of him. He looks more exhausted than I''ve ever seen him, but I can''t help but think he''s never looked better to me. It takes a while for it to register past my relief that his gaze is fixed on a point behind me. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. 18 Chapter 12 It doesn''t take long for us to get Kent settled into a bed. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. His body shuts down once his head hits the pillow and I know he won''t wake until morning at the earliest. Any answers about what happened won''t be coming from him. It''s a good thing there''s someone else I can ask. I take one last look at his sleeping face before leaving the room to search for Arabella. When I find her she isn''t alone. As expected, my husband is still with her making sure that she''s okay. The kid''s hovering at the ready to use his talents if necessary. And then there''s Larcen. He''s leaning against the wall, obviously impatient. He probably wants to know what happened as much as I do. I don''t bother asking where Helena went to. I have a fairly good idea of that. Instead I get straight to the point. "Why did you and Kent come here?" I can practically see Riel''s protective big brother instincts rise at that. "They''ve obviously been through a trying experience. Let them get some rest first." "No. It''s fine." Arabella''s voice is surprisingly strong. Perhaps this short period as Lady Auron toughened her. Or perhaps she''s always had mettle but no reason to use it. She takes a deep breath before starting. "I was meeting with Lord Ausset when the King''s men showed up to arrest me. I don''t know why. Kent and I escaped through the back. We kept running but eventually they found us. Kent..." She hesitates then, obviously fighting with herself over whether to tell the whole truth. "He managed to get us away from them, but he could barely keep going. That guy -" "Roderick. He''s one of my men. I had him follow you in case something happened." She takes Riel''s admission with surprisingly aplomb. "Roderick seemed to come out of nowhere and told us that he could get us somewhere safe. We followed him here. That''s it." She glares at Riel then. "What the hell is wrong with you anyway? Faking your death? Going against the king? Not telling me any of this?" I have to bite the inside of my cheek not to laugh at Riel''s flabbergasted expression. "I was trying to protect you." "What you did didn''t protect me. It put me in danger and you intentionally caused me a great deal of pain. I thought you died, Riel. I mourned you. And the same goes for you, Sonia." "I..." Riel is at a loss for words. To be honest so am I. This is the same sweet meek Arabella? It''s Larcen who breaks the silence. "If I knew your sister had this much passion I might have recruited her instead of you, Riel." At that Arabella rounded on him. "So you''re the guy who convinced my brother to do all this foolishness?" "Your brother knew what he was getting into when he joined." They glared at each other for a while before Arabella looked away in a huff. "Uh, Miss Ara, please don''t be mad at daddy and Riel and Sonia." Arabella blinked before looking at Adrian in confusion. "Why shouldn''t I?" "Because they''re only trying to help those like me." At Adrian''s soft sad voice, Arabella seemed to melt. She bent to look at him at eye level. "Look, kid¡­ This is a family matter." I internally winced at her choice of words. Adrian however squared his shoulders. "Sonia and Riel are your family. I get that. What you don''t get is that they and everyone here? That''s my family. We may not all be related by blood and we may not look the same, but¡­ we''re one big messed up family. It hurts when you get angry at my family for helping me." Arabella looks conflicted. So am I, if I''m honest. I care about both of them. "Adrian, why don''t you show Arabella around? Introduce her to some people." It''s Larcen who makes the suggestion. The kid practically lights up at the thought. He grabs hold of her hand before dropping it as though burned. "You''re not an empath, are you?" I feel a pang at the question but push it down. Adrian takes her hand again when she shakes her head and happily leads her out of the room. Riel watches the door long after she leaves. "If anyone can turn her around it''s Adrian." 19 Interlude: Ken It''s twilight when Kent wakes. The quietness of the house makes him think that it''s dawn, as opposed to dusk, but he has no way of knowing for sure. Either way he chastises himself over sleeping so much. He gets out of bed and makes sure he''s presentable before leaving the room. He needs to find her. He needs to know why she''s here. When he finally finds her in a room with maps spread out, he''s not in the least bit surprised by the trickle of anger the sight brings. She must have felt him enter because she speaks without so much as looking up. "You should still be in bed. I haven''t seen you in that bad a shape since¡­ well ever. Not even when Lord Auron was testing your limits." He ignores the comment. He didn''t come here to discuss his health. "Why are you here?" She shrugs, but doesn''t look up from the map she''s studying intently. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Too intently. "I thought you gave up being a tactician." He still remembers her vehement claims that she will never be responsible for more senseless killing. He still remembers her breaking down over her first brush with battle. "What can I say? I always had a weak spot for the Aurons." He grits his teeth at that. "You''re doing this for Sonia?" The thought is unpalatable. Sonia of all people should understand why Helena would never want to go back. The very idea that Sonia could ask something that cold-blooded has bile rising in his throat. "Sonia is the one who approached me. She had some compelling arguments. In a sense I''m actually doing it for you." He''s not sure if that''s worse. "What does that mean?" He''s not sure he wants to know the answer. "Why don''t you ask your precious Sonia?" Her bitter tone only stokes the flames of his ire. She knows the truth and the fact that she continues to throw that in his face at every turn rankles. He knows he''s hurt her and that she''s lashing out. But that doesn''t make it easier to take. "I''m asking you." His voice is full of menace but both of them know he won''t hurt her. Not physically. He tries not to think of the implications of that. "And if it fails?" "If it fails we''ll probably all be executed as traitors to the crown, but if that doesn''t happen then you remain as you are and I will never have any claim to you." Her voice is far too casual when she says it. It annoys him that she can talk of his fate as nonchalantly as one discusses the weather. "So that''s it then? I either die or become yours? I have no choice?" He doesn''t bother to hide the bitterness in his tone. Once again he is powerless about the direction his life will take. She frowns at that but remains silent. "I''d like to add my own term to the agreement." "Oh?" "Yes. I will only become yours if both Lady Aurons survive." He sees her stiffen. "I see. You''re always going to protect House Auron, aren''t you?" It''s not really a question, but he still answers. "It''s my duty." She''s silent for a moment and he begins to think she will turn him down. She has no reason to honour his request - not when she''s already made this deal with Sonia. "Very well. If either Lady Auron dies before the king is toppled I will forfeit my claim." He sketches a quick bow and leaves the room. At the door he pauses for a mere second. A muttered thank you and he''s gone. He doesn''t know if she heard him. 20 Chapter 13 When I go to check on Kent the next morning he isn''t there. I''m not surprised. He never did know when to take it easy. I let out an exasperated sigh before going in search of him. It doesn''t take me long to find him. He''s in the common room helping to serve breakfast. I take a seat, acutely aware that this is the first time I''ve ever actually eaten in the common room. He nods at me in acknowledgement before continuing to hand out plates of food. I glance around to see Arabella and Adrian absorbed in conversation with my husband watching over them fondly. Larcen is at one end distractedly picking at his food. Helena is once again nowhere to be seen. Knowing her, she''s probably still at the war room. She may not have been his daughter but she sure picked up a lot of my father''s bad habits. I can still recall how we had to practically force him to eat and sleep when he was obsessing over creating a perfect strategy. I grab hold of Kent''s wrist when he makes to hand me a plate . He tenses, but does not struggle, knowing that doing so would risk dropping the food. "Sit with me?" It''s a question not a command. I''m not Lady Auron right now and even if I was¡­ After what I put him through he has every right to be as angry as Arabella was. More even. He hesitates for a moment before giving a terse nod. He waits until I take the plate from him before settling down stiffly beside me. "You''re not going to eat?" I try to keep the question light. "It''s not my place to eat in the presence of my master." The words are soft and rehearsed. He''s not pleased with me and using his position as a wall between us. It''s certainly not the first time, but it still hurts. "You and I both know that''s a crappy excuse. If you''re angry with me just say it so we can get past this. Yes, I didn''t tell you I was alive, but I didn''t have much contact with anyone after I was rescued." I keep my voice low to avoid attracting attention. This is hardly the place to cause a scene. "You''re right. I''m furious with you, but not for the reasons you seem to think." Not for the reasons I¡­? Oh. He knows. "She told you." Another terse nod. The tension between us feels so thick that I''m surprised people aren''t choking on it. "You''re using me as a pawn to force her to do what you want." His voice is low and controlled. Too controlled. "It doesn''t matter who suggested it. The point is that we''re now all in an untenable position. Whether the king falls or not things will never go back to how they were." The finality in his words chills me. "Things aren''t that bad." The words sound hollow even to my ears. "Aren''t they? Our chances of surviving this are slim, but even if we do - what then? Who will lead the people? What will make things better? Chaos will erupt in the streets. It will be anarchy. Exactly what will keep people in check?" I have no response to that. To be honest I hadn''t thought about it much. I''ve been trying to think in the present. "I''m sure Larcen has a plan..." I''m not. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Not really. But I feel the need to defend my actions. "You better hope that he does or the future you''re striving so hard for may just be worse than the present." 21 Chapter 14 I am back in my room when I get an unexpected visit from Helena. "Is there anything I can help you with?" I still can''t feel anything from her. In a way it''s a good thing but it''s also incredibly frustrating. Unlike the soothing presence of a Void it''s an uncomfortable absence. Every second that she doesn''t respond makes me want to tear that necklace off her just for some sort of reaction. "... I''m going on a trip. I''ll be leaving tonight. With any luck I''ll be back in a day or so." I''m sure my shock is plain. "Larcen agreed to let you leave?" She shrugs. "He didn''t have much of a choice. We can''t win with what we have." I narrow my eyes at her. "So your trip will help us win?" "Perhaps. It might not, but if I don''t go we''ll never know." That seems believable enough but¡­ "Why are you telling me this? You could have just left." "Kent." Kent? "What about Kent?" "If he finds where I''m going he will do everything in his power to stop me. Especially after the circumstances surrounding their mad dash here. His shining knight complex is too strong." Somewhere Kent won''t approve of? Oh. "You''re going to see Lord Ausset. Is that wise?" "Exactly what part of any of this so far has been ''wise''?" She has a point there. Still¡­ "Is it necessary then? Are you sure he won''t turn you over?" She snorts. "I know what I''m doing. Now will you help or not?" "What exactly do you want my help with? Keeping it from Kent? I''m not comfortable with that." "No, not keeping it from him. He''ll probably figure it out anyway even if he doesn''t hear it from someone else. I want you to order him not to intervene." I worry my lip as I think about it. The last thing either of us wants is Kent deciding to play hero and getting himself caught by the guards or worse. Still with the way things are now an order like this might just antagonise him further. He may not even listen to it. After all even Kent has his limits and this could be the straw that breaks the camel''s back. She makes an impatient noise. "Look are you going to help me or not?" "I don''t know..." Giving him an order like that when I''m not even sure he will intervene may just damage our relationship for no reason. "I thought we both agreed that keeping Kent safe was a top priority, but if you''re willing to let him follow me and get caught then I was obviously mistaken." I can''t help but get angry at that. "Of course I want to keep him safe! I just don''t want him to hate me." The last part was barely a whisper but she heard it. I don''t know what to say to that. "Well?" She''s right. His safety is more important than my feelings. We can always patch things up later as long as he survives. Besides his death would hurt me far worse than his coldness. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "... I''ll do it." 22 Interlude: Helena Helena watches from her hiding spot as Lord Ausset makes his way into his study. He looks eaten up with worry and the image only worsens when he buries his head in his hands after taking a seat. "Timothy." His head shoots up at the sound of her voice. "You shouldn''t be here. If the king catches word -" She cuts him off with an impatient flick of her hand. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Trust me, it''s not my face people were looking at when I made my way here." That was half the point of the outfit she chose for these outings after all. Half the people ogled her assets and the other half were too prudish to look. He gives an amused snort before levelling a serious look at her. "I''m assuming you''re here because of what happened to Kent and Lady Arabella. Do you know if they made it out okay?" "They''re fine." His relief is palpable. No, despite what Kent probably thinks, Timothy did not set them up. He would never do that to her. "Good. When I heard about the fire I was worried." A fire? So that''s how Kent them out. It certainly explains the state he was in upon arrival. "This isn''t just a social call. I need something from you." He nods. "Of course. Anything." "Do you still have the documents I left here?" She doesn''t clarify when. She''s only been here once before - when she was asked to leave House Auron. She''d sought shelter from Timothy, half expecting him to deny any relation to her and throw her onto the street as the previous Lord Ausset had. Their shared history hadn''t given her much to put her faith in where he was concerned but she was desperate then. Instead he''d surprised her by welcoming her in and offering her protection. As tempting as it was, she''d known she couldn''t stay here forever. All she''d do is put him in danger. Still it was he who arranged for her to travel to the mountains and for that she is indebted to him. "Yes, of course. I''ve been keeping them safe for you." He unlocks one of his drawers and pulls out the documents. She gives them a cursory look before thanking him. She should leave now but she can''t help her curiosity. "A bunch of outrageous things. There''s no way any of it is true and they know it. It''s almost enough to make me think it was an attempt to lure you out of the mountains but why now?" No, not Helena. Sonia¡­? Or the other key players in the rebellion? Still she couldn''t very well tell Timothy that. She may trust Timothy but the others do not. "Who knows what the king is planning." She tries to deflect his suspicions. "Hey, Hel?" She gives a noncommittal grunt. "Whatever it is that you''re planning¡­ Be careful, alright?" She gives him a stiff nod. 23 Chapter 15 It is painfully obvious that Kent is going out of his way to avoid me. I let it go because as long as he''s avoiding me he''s avoiding the people who know where Helena is. It''s only noon the next day that he actually swallows his anger and seeks me out. Even then there''s an edge of annoyance when he does. "What''s going on?" "I have no idea what you''re talking about." It''s not entirely a lie. After all it is possible he hasn''t noticed that she''s gone. Just as possible as Larcen wearing a bright pink ball gown. "People are on edge... and Helena is nowhere to be seen." I let out a sigh. "Kent¡­ You''re not going to like what I have to say." He stiffens. I know he''s waiting for me to say it but¡­ I can''t seem to form the words. I''m afraid. If she''s right and he rushes after her, what then? I want to believe that she''s wrong. I want - "Just say it and let me be the judge of that." Right. This isn''t the time to waffle. If I''m going to do as she asked then now is the time. Still there''s a traitorous part of me that wishes he''d get fed up and leave without finding out. "What''s going on, Sonia?" His voice is low and controlled when he asks it but I can see his patience is running out. "Will you promise me that no matter what I say you''ll remain here?" "Sonia." His tone was warning. "Just promise." "I refuse to do that without hearing why. I let you go off to your death once; I''m not about to promise that I''ll do it again." I''m almost startled by the feeling in his voice. There''s nothing for it then. "Then I order it of you." I try to keep my voice steady and commanding. Kent stiffens even further. Any more and he''ll have to bend over backwards. "Helena has gone to get something." "Something? What something?" I shrug. "She didn''t say." "If it''s not the what that made you order me to stay it''s the where. Where did she go, Sonia?" Damn his perceptiveness. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Then again with a lead up like that even the most oblivious person would know something is up. There was a time when hearing me say that would cease his enquiries. "If you don''t tell me someone else will." That time has come to an end. "Look she went to see Lord Ausset." Kent curses. It''s almost funny seeing the ever proper Kent curse. If he didn''t look so worried I might have laughed. "Why did you let her go?" This time it''s me who stiffens. "I didn''t ''let'' her do anything. She''s a grown woman and she made her own decision." "But Ausset? The King''s men are probably watching the place and if not, he''ll rat her out!" Not for the first time I wonder at Kent''s hostility towards Lord Ausset. His hostility for the old Lord Ausset made some sense, but for Timothy? If this was a new development after what happened when they were at Lord Ausset''s estate I might have understood, but Kent has always taken a dislike to him. "He wouldn''t do that to her." Unlike the old Lord Ausset, Timothy was kind. Sure there was usually a layer of fake charm and politeness on top, but beneath it his intentions have always seemed good. And beyond that - he cares for Helena. There''s no doubt in my mind about that. He practically broadcasts it whenever she''s brought up. "You don''t know that for sure." "I do." I put all my conviction into those two short words. They don''t remove his doubts. "And if you''re wrong? Our best chance of making it out of this alive will be gone. Helena will be dead." A chill runs down my spine. "Well there''s nothing we can do about it now, is there? If he intends to hand her over then she''s probably already in the King''s custody." He doesn''t respond. 24 Chapter 16 Kent''s gone back to avoiding me. Whenever I do manage to catch glimpses of him he looks restless. I pray that Helena will come back soon. Not because I''m worried about her. No, she has proven time and again that she can take care of herself. Not even because we need her to stand a chance of overthrowing the king. No, my reasons are much more selfish. I want her here so I can patch things up with Kent. Does that make me a bad person? I''m still pondering this when Riel hands me something to drink. I bring it to my mouth, but pause at the scent. "Alcohol?" "You looked like you could use some." I snort before taking a sip. It''s definitely not the light wines I''m used to. "Was I wrong?" "No." He just stands there awkwardly for a moment before asking the question I don''t want to hear. "What''s the deal with you and Kent? I used to think he''d do anything for you and now he''s all hostile." "He''s not happy with some of the things I''ve done." It''s a vague answer but accurate. "And here I thought he was one of those duty before reason types. You know, the kind that''ll always blindly follow their master down the slippery slope. Guess the guy does have some character." He has a point. Before Kent would have done anything I asked and buried his own feelings on the matter. Is it the fact that I''m not truly Lady Auron here that''s making him act freer? Or is it just the stress? "Adrian and Ara seem to have hit it off." My silence must have prompted him to change the subject. I have to admit I''m glad. I need a distraction. "Oh?" "Yeah. I think Adrian might have a crush on her." I can''t help but frown. "Isn''t he too young for that?" I''m not sure which of them I''m feeling more protective of. "He is definitely too young for her but you can''t blame the guy for crushing. My sister is quite the catch." I snort. "You are so biased." He gave me a mock affronted look. "Are you trying to say that my sister isn''t a catch?" "Of course she''s a catch. She''s an Auron now. That doesn''t make you any less biased." He looks contemplative for a moment before flashing a grin at me. "So do I count as a catch then? I am after all Lord Auron." I freeze at that. Riel is Lord Auron. No, that doesn''t seem right at all. His personality is all wrong for it. He isn''t a workaholic tactician. He probably won''t be a distant father. If anything, judging by the way he acts around Arabella, he''ll be very hands on and protective. He won''t - "I''m sorry. I-" "You didn''t marry me for my personality or my looks or my non-existent money. I get it." He holds his hands up in front of him in surrender. "That''s not what I was going to say." Not that it''s not accurate. None of those things even factored into the decision. He could have been a perverted old man and I¡­ No, that''s pushing it. I wouldn''t have married a perverted old man. "Then what is?" "I was lost in thought about how different you are from the old Lord Auron." "Your father." "Yes. He¡­ He was a great tactician." He frowns, obviously picking up on the fact that there is much I''m not saying. "What about as a father?" "He... had his faults. He was a man used to soldiers and subordinates, not children. He didn''t always know how to deal with us." "Ah." "Ah? What do you mean ''ah''?" "So that''s why you''re -" He makes a gesture with his hand. "-you." "I''m not sure how to take that." He looks sheepish. "I didn''t mean anything bad by it just that you have a tendency to seem cold, closed off, unemotional. Ironic considering that you probably feel more than most people." "Empaths need to have greater control over their emotions and those they leach from others. An empath who is also a mage even more so." When your emotions can level a house - that''s an issue. "It was Ara''s grief, wasn''t it?" "Excuse me?" "Your ''outburst'' of magic. The one that got you caught. It was caused Arabella''s grief over my death." I didn''t expect him to connect the dots. Not because I don''t think he''s smart, mind you. But because I expected him to have forgotten all about it. With everything that''s happened my ''death'' seems like a very long time ago. "She hugged me searching for comfort. I wasn''t expecting it." There was a great deal of anguish and fear but also¡­ anger. Of all emotions, anger is the one most likely to cause an outburst of magic. It''s what makes us so dangerous. "Well, for what it''s worth, I''m sorry." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. His words catch me off guard just as much as his soft tone does. "What are you sorry for? You didn''t do anything." "Didn''t I? I practically took advantage of you and on top of that it''s my fault you were hanged and caught up in all of this." "I''m not gonna deny that last part, but what do you mean about taking advantage of me?" Is there something else I don''t know? "I was so desperate to secure Ara''s future and disappear before I got caught. That and your empathy must have-" "Okay, let me stop you right there. Yes, you were practically reeking of desperation but that did not affect my decision in any way." He shot me a dubious look. "You know how you said I seem cold? When it comes to important decisions I am. My father taught me that I should never consider my emotions when making a decision because not only do your cloud your judgement, but as an empath they could be used to manipulate me." "So you weighed the pros and cons and decided I was a good catch?" I couldn''t help but smile at his cheeky grin. "I thought you were... adequate." I do enjoy teasing him. Before he can respond the door swings open. A cloaked figure sweeps past us and out of the room with a pile of documents under one arm. I let out a sigh of relief. 25 Interlude: Ken When Kent hears of her return his relief is overshadowed by his anger. She potentially put them all in danger just so she could see that nitwit Lord. If she thinks she''s gonna get off scot-free by ignoring him, she''s dead wrong. He intends to give her a piece of his mind. It doesn''t take him long to find her. There really is only one place she''d go - the war room. He opens his mouth to tell her what he thinks but his words catch in his throat at the sight of the documents spread out before her. "Those are Lord Auron''s." He''d recognise that precise flowing script anywhere. She doesn''t respond. "You had no right to take it." His voice is accusing. She stiffens and he knows he''s struck a nerve. He did after all just accuse her of stealing. "I suppose I should have just let Lady Auron burn these like the rest. We''d be up the creek without a paddle now, but it would have been the right thing to do, right, Kent?" Her voice is cold. He knows she still blames him for not stopping Sonia from disposing of all of Lord Auron''s work after his death. But Sonia had needed the catharsis that came from destroying the things she believed kept her father from her. Still he understands Helena''s ire. She''d put a lot of effort into it as well. But what he cannot forgive is¡­ "Perhaps not, but you didn''t have to give them to Ausset." He says the name like a curse. She fixes him with a hard stare at this. "I needed to keep them with someone I trusted - someone whose loyalty to me wasn''t in question." He draws in a quick breath. "What did he ever do to earn your trust?" What did Ausset do that made her choose him over Kent? "He was there when I needed him." The "when you weren''t" is unspoken but Kent still hears it. "After everything that family did to you, you still went back to them at the first sign of kindness. He could have planned to turn you over to the King." His voice is disbelieving and with good reason - the Ausset''s had brought her nothing but pain. "Timothy wouldn''t do that." He narrows his eyes at the conviction in her voice. This will only set her up for pain when he betrays her. "And why not? Because he''s your blood? Need I remind you what your father did?" He and his wife ruined her mother for the claim. Her mother had been forced to do unsavoury things just so they could survive. If Lord Auron hadn''t found out she was an empath and taken her in so he''d have a better idea of how to take care of his own child, who knows what would have happened to Helena. "Timothy is no more his father than I am." "He was raised by him. You may have forgotten the way he used to treat you, but I haven''t." On the rare occasions Lord Auron and Lord Ausset had business Ausset would always bring Timothy out of spite and the boy would never fail to taunt her. "He was a child trying to please his father. You of all people should understand that." It annoys him to hear defend him. It annoys him ever more that she is using his own history against him. "And what about what happened to Arabella and I? He sets up a meeting and suddenly the King''s men show up to arrest her?" "Coincidence. Nothing more." He lets out a disbelieving snort. "You really expect me to believe that?" "Yes. If it was anything else I would have felt it." "If you were looking, you mean." "Excuse me?" "You have a blind spot where he''s concerned. Just admit it." "Not as big as yours apparently. Do you know what I felt when I brought up what happened? Worry and helplessness. Not even a hint of anything to suggest he had a hand in it." He stiffens. Could he really be that mistaken? "He was afraid you''d perished in the fire you used to get away. No wonder you still haven''t recovered fully. Fire really isn''t your element." He stiffens further. "It was the least suspicious way to disappear." He doesn''t quite know why he feels the need to defend his actions. They got them out, didn''t they? "I agree. It was a good idea. People are uncertain as to whether you perished in the blaze. Lord Auron would be proud." Taken at face value the words would be flattery and yet¡­ It doesn''t feel like it. There is silence between them for a long moment. He watches her work. It''s so reminiscent of the past that he can almost make himself believe things are fine. Life was so much simpler then. The worst he had to worry about was pleasing Lord Auron. Not an easy task, to be sure, but it pales in comparison to this constant fear that he''s about to lose everything he cares for and can do nothing about it. She startles him back to the present with a sigh. "You still haven''t made up with Sonia yet, have you?" "Excuse me?" "That''s why you''re still here instead of with her." He wants to deny it, but they both know it''s true. 26 Chapter 17 To say I''m surprised when Kent seeks me out would be a lie. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. What does surprise me though is that he doesn''t seem angry anymore. "Please forgive my inappropriate behaviour." "There''s nothing to forgive." There really isn''t. His anger was not without reason. "I forgot my place. If this is truly what you wish then I will support you as best I can." He bows deeply, truly sincere. "Kent..." It hurts. Seeing him like this hurts deep inside. "You''re far more than just a servant, Kent. You know this." He takes a deep breath but does not straighten out of his bow. "Whatever else I am means nothing. I should not have let my emotions cloud my judgement. It won''t happen again." It breaks my heart to hear him say these things with such conviction. "There''s nothing wrong with feeling." He does not meet my eyes as he straightens. "A shield does not need to feel." I nearly flinch at those words. My father''s words. I want to deny it, but I can''t seem to form the words. Taking my silence as acceptance, he bows and makes to leave the room. I want to stop him. I don''t. No, what stops him is Adrian rushing into the room and straight into him. Kent steadies him with sure hands. "Lee''s doing something big!" I blink. It takes a moment for my brain to remember the connection between ''Helena'' and ''Lee''. "What exactly is Helena doing?" Kent stiffens at her name. Apparently he hadn''t made the connection. "I don''t know but dad said to call you. She''s been gathering everyone in the common room." ¡­ She was gathering a large amount of people in one place? That many people in close proximity would be overwhelming even for me. A quick curse and Kent was practically sprinting from the room. I follow at a slower pace so Adrian can keep up. I have to stop and focus on Kent''s comforting presence when I enter the common room. The sheer amount of emotions clamouring for attention was staggering. Larcen looks the same as ever, if a little concerned, as he leans against the wall. Helena, however, looks like she''s extremely keyed up. She seems unable to stay still and her hands are trembling. She''s probably having trouble processing the barrage of feelings. Even Kent''s presence wouldn''t be able to cancel all of this out to a mid-level. As I think that, Kent pushes his way through the crowd and to her side. He lays a hand on her cloaked shoulder almost hesitantly. It''s almost comedic how quickly she stills. And then she rolls her shoulder back into the touch. Whereas a Void''s presence needs to be focused on to block the feelings of others, their touch¡­ Their touch is like a drug that provides you with clarity. If an empath is compelled to seek out and experience the strong feelings of others then that which a Void provides is the strongest. It chases away the external stimuli and provides a sense of security and comfort that''s unparalleled. It''s able to eclipse all but the most intense or intently focused on feelings. At the same time, though it creates an urge to burrow deeper and draw out the source of said comfort. To be honest I''m almost surprised that she doesn''t fling herself into his arms just to feel more of it after being denied it for so long. Instead she doesn''t even acknowledge Kent''s presence. She just glances at Larcen who gives her a nod. "Alright. You''re probably wondering why I asked all of you to gather here. Well, I have some questions and this seemed like the quickest way to get answers." People start to whisper amongst themselves. I even hear a few asking who she thinks she is forcing them to assemble just for her sake. I feel a prickle of annoyance. "Silence!" Larcen''s voice rings out clear and they fall silent. "Helena is our best chance of actually succeeding so it would be best to cooperate." His voice is low, but full of command. "You said that about the mage girl too and she''s done bugger all." The voice comes from a man at the back. Either he doesn''t know I''m in the room or he doesn''t care. I''m not sure which is preferable. Out of the corner of my eye I see Riel holding Arabella back from going over to give the man a piece of her man. She''s turned into a real spitfire, that one. Kent''s hold on Helena''s shoulder tightens ever so slightly. Whether it''s out of anger or to reassure her is anyone''s guess. Larcen glares in the direction of the voice and opens his mouth to reply. Before he can, though, Helena cuts in. "Actually it was ''the mage girl'' who convinced me to help. I wouldn''t exactly call that bugger all, but to each their own." It''s strange hearing Helena defend me. "We don''t need you. What can you do that Larcen can''t?" A different voice this time. Closer to the front. Helena places her hand over Kent''s and gives it a quick squeeze it. Then she slowly removes it from her shoulder and lets it drop. He doesn''t show it, but I know Kent is as taken aback as I am. Why would anyone choose to feel the animosity aimed at them? "It''s not about what I can do. It''s about what we all can do." She keeps her voice gentle with a hint of steel. There are a few more whispers but no one directs them at her. They''re all warily awaiting what she has to say. "To overthrow the King everyone here will need to play a part and each part is crucial. If we win it will not be because of the actions of just one person, no matter how skilled or powerful." She lets out a bitter laugh. "When it comes to skill, power and sheer numbers we are outclassed." Larcen''s frown grows deeper as the crowd gets more unsettled. "So now I ask you this: what is our aim?" I frown. "To overthrow the king!" The response is immediate. She waves a hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, but when you say king, do you mean the current king or do you mean the current system? Do we seek to put another on the throne or destroy it altogether? Do we want simply to return things to how they were before his tyranny or do we want to build a new system and way of life from the ashes of the old?" She sounds almost bored as she asks the questions. There''s much discussion but after a long while someone steps forward. "We just want to be able to return to a normal life. We don''t care how it happens." Helena nods. "Alright. On to the next order of business. I''m going to need to know what each of you can do. By show of hands how many of you are trained warriors?" A number of hands shoot up including Riel''s. Larcen''s hand does not. Helena let''s out a sigh. "And of you, how many have actually been in battle?" More than half the hands go down - including Riel''s. Another sigh. "And of the remaining, were those battles against skilled fighters?" Only a handful of hands remain up. 27 Chapter 18 It is hours later when Helena finally finishes with her ridiculously long meeting. I understand the reason for it, of course, but that doesn''t make me any happier about standing in a crowded room for so long. I watch as people go off to start training, some in fighting, others in stealth, a bunch in first aid and some other things I stopped paying attention to. I am about to head to my own room when Helena calls my name. "Larcen and I need to speak to you. You as well, Riel." She looks from Adrian to Arabella and finally to Kent before sighing. "You guys can come as well, I guess." She doesn''t wait for a response. Instead she heads for the war room expecting us to follow. When we arrive, my eyes alight on all too familiar documents. Before I can say anything, however, she starts speaking. "The King knows." Riel''s confused expression is a mirror of my own. Why does she feel the need to speak in cryptic phrases? "Knows what?" "That is the question, isn''t it? By attempting to arrest Arabella and by virtue of that Kent, he was trying to flush someone out. Ausset assumed it was me, but the timing of it doesn''t make sense. The next obvious choice would be either you or Sonia." "But that doesn''t make sense either. Everyone thinks they''re dead." It''s Arabella who voices this. "Not everyone. There are plenty of people here who know they''re alive." It''s Larcen who makes the statement. "No way, Dad! No one here would betray us like that!" "They wouldn''t have to." The moment the words leave Helena''s mouth I know she''s right. "Eri." All it would have taken is a burst of strong emotion and one stray thought from anyone and she''d know. Even I had relaxed my guard, allowing myself to think of things that I shouldn''t. "Yes, Eri - the telepath. We don''t know how much she was able to pick up but at the very least they don''t seem to know about this place or they would have destroyed it already." "It''s only a matter of time before it happens." Kent sounds worried. "Exactly. Time isn''t on our side." "So what are we going to do?" Adrian bites his lip as he asks. "We''re going to attack before they can." I can''t help but feel that Larcen responds more to put Adrian at ease than anything else. "When?" Kent''s tone is all business. "A week from now." "A week?! Do we even have a plan?" I''m not sure if the shock I''m feeling is secondhand or my own. "We have the beginnings of one. For safety, people will only be told the parts of the plan that pertain to them." I couldn''t fault that reasoning. Larcen looks at me as he voices this. He''s obviously remembering my earlier vehemence about not fighting. "I''ve already died for this cause. I''m going to see it through." Riel sounds so sombre as he says it. Larcen nods approvingly. "If you intend to fight then you should join the others for training." "Count me in too." Arabella''s words catch Riel off guard. "I guess you could help with first aid?" She glares at Riel''s offer. "Like hell. I''m going to fight." Even Helena looks troubled at this. "Do you know how?" Kent looks at Helena sharply at that question. "I may not have been formally trained but I know enough to protect myself." "Very well then. You''ll join the others for training." "You can''t be serious!" Both Helena and Arabella glare at Riel. "The King tried to have me arrested on trumped up charges. He tried to have Sonia killed. All of these people are suffering because of him. I''m not going to just take that lying down. I am going to fight." "Ara¡­ It''s too dangerous." "Oh? It''s too dangerous for me but it''s fine for you? Please, tell me how that works." Her words leave Riel with no rebuttal. Instead he rounds on Helena. "If anything happens to her..." His voice is low and menacing. I have to admit he can be very intimidating in protective brother mode. Not that Helena seems fazed by it in the slightest. "Yes, yes I''ve heard it all before." Riel opens his mouth to say something but Larcen cuts him off. "Now that that''s settled, what about you, Sonia? Will you lend your aid?" "It''s in my best interest to do so. My abilities are yours to command." I direct the last part to Helena who let''s out a slow breath. I still can''t feel anything from her, but¡­ I can''t shake the feeling that she''s disappointed. "Kent." There''s an edge of something in her voice. "If my liege pledges her aid to this cause then so do I. This pawn is yours to move, Helena." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Those words should be reassuring to her and yet... If anything she looks even more troubled. She chews on her lower lip for a moment, looking impossibly young. It''s then that Adrian speaks. "I may not be able to fight, but I''ll do my best to keep everyone healed." Larcen''s face contorts in something like pain at those words. He walks over to his son and kneels before him. "Adrian¡­ Your gift is powerful and I know you want to help but you''re still just a child - my child. This battle is no place for you." His words are halting and stiff, but the emotion in them nearly chokes me. "But, Dad, this battle is my battle too. You can''t ask me to just sit it out and let people die when I could help them." It''s strange to see Adrian stand up to his father. "As a healer you''ll be a prime target. I may be a shitty father but I''m still your father. You will listen to me." His voice is sharp and commanding but Adrian stands his ground. "You''re not a shitty father. Everything you''ve done has been to protect me and I''m grateful for it, but¡­ everyone I care about is fighting this battle to make the kingdom a better place for people like me." "I promised your mother that I would keep you safe." Larcen''s voice cracks a little towards the end. "I want to help to make sure what happened to mum never happens to anyone ever again. I know that our chances of winning are small, but without a healer they''re even smaller and I don''t want to live the rest of my life afraid of people finding out what I am. I don''t want to survive knowing that everyone I care about gave their lives while I sat back and did nothing when I could have helped." Adrian has a point. I, like Larcen, want to keep him safe but if we lose then he won''t be safe. He''ll have to spend the rest of his life hiding from the King who wants nothing more than to use him as an instrument of war. 28 Interlude: Helena Helena almost sighs in relief when Kent shifts beside her. It''s a shift so minuscule that if not for barely there contact it creates she never would have noticed it. It chases away the clawing need to protect and coddle Adrian that pervades the room. It numbs the mix of determination, outrage and fear that crept into her very pores. And yet¡­ She can still feel the dark swirl of emotions Larcen wears like a second skin. Emotions strong enough to war with a Void. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. She doesn''t even want to think of what that means. Emotions that could push themselves into you and invade every fiber of your being until there''s nothing of your own left. She knows the answer of course. There is only one explanation. She doubts Sonia suspects. Why would she? A widower who''s in charge of leading a lost cause rebellion and taking care of his very young healer son having such a strong mix of negative emotions probably seems normal. Heck if Lord Auron wasn''t¡­ Lord Auron, he''d probably have had a similar mix. She can feel the familiar tug towards Larcen. The empath in her wants to draw out his emotions, to find their source and soothe them until all that''s left is¡­ No. She can''t afford that. She needs him to remain as he is. If he were to lose the emotions that are his driving force behind the rebellion it would crumble. She almost lets out a triumphant noise when his emotions spike further. Adrian has talked his way into being an active member in the actual fight. She squashes down the part of her that worries for the innocent little boy she''s putting in danger. This is necessary. She has run through it millions of times in her head. If they are to have any hope of winning¡­ Kent shifts again. She only barely stops herself from vocalising the loss she feels as he breaks contact. A quick glance shows that the others are leaving. Even Larcen leaves. He wants to be alone, no doubt. Kent doesn''t leave. He does, however, put some distance between them. If she didn''t know better she''d think he was as affected by the contact as she was. She wants to pull him close and chase away whatever doubts and concerns could cause him to look that way. But it''s not her place. She can''t even quell her own concerns so what business does she have trying to reassure someone else? So instead she waits. "I meant what I said." She waits for him to clarify. He knows that she wouldn''t doubt his word so there must be something else. "I''m yours to do with as you wish." It''s almost cruel. Here he is offering her a parody of what she''s always wanted. "Don''t make me laugh, Kent. You''re not mine. You''ve never been mine and probability says you''ll never be mine because we''ll all be dead." A tightening of his jaw is his only response. She lets out a low chuckle that sounds almost deranged. "It''s funny. The closest you ever came to being mine was ..." She doesn''t have to finish the sentence. They both know what she''s referring to. "... If he hadn''t died, would you have gone through with it?" Would she have married Lord Auron? "Yes. For the same reasons he suggested marrying me. I couldn''t go back to the life that killed my mother." Lord Auron couldn''t justify keeping her, a young unmarried woman of no relation, in his House after she gave up being his apprentice. So he''d offered to marry her instead. He said nothing would change, but¡­ That wasn''t true. As Lady Auron the servants of House Auron would belong to her as much as they did to Lord Auron. Not only that, but she would have become Sonia''s stepmother as well. Sonia would never have taken kindly to that. Even now she''s glad Sonia never found out. Still she was willing to alienate them just to save herself. And then Lord Auron died and she lost them anyway. She''s not vain enough to think that his death was her punishment. No, it was so much more than that. Still, she can''t help but feel she deserves this. "Helena..." She doesn''t know why he''s still here. She''s not sure she cares. 29 Chapter 19 I don''t know what to do. Riel and Arabella went to train with the fighters. I tried to join them but after a while the many emotions from those training had become too much. It seems that I''ll have to make do with the skills taught to me by Lord Auron. I think about going to find Adrian, but he left to join those learning to administer first aid. No doubt it would end the same way as fighting training had - with me retreating to my room to escape from the oppressive emotions of others. As for Larcen, if the way he stormed out is any indication, he wants to be alone. Not that I make a habit of seeking Larcen out. More than his impressive stature, his imposing aura is what makes him such a fearsome leader. It''s like he''s constantly surrounded by swirling black clouds of negative emotion. I don''t want to imagine what that would feel like up close. And Kent¡­ Kent is still with Helena. She needs him more than I do, right now. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. With everything riding on her shoulders she needs a clear head. I understand that, but¡­ I can''t help but feel useless and alone. What am I supposed to do? What is my role in all of this? Will I do what my father did? I suppress a shudder at the thought of drawing the telepaths attention to me alone. Having that kind of target painted on my back and still having to fight my way through so I can kill her in a single attack is not something I can do. It was barely something my father could and he was a mid-level mage with one of the greatest tactical minds I''ve ever known. Even if you removed his magical abilities, it still left his many years of battle experience. I could never hope to match up to his abilities. And even if I could¡­ The empath in me rebels at the very thought of feeling someone die by my hand. To feel their life fade away and be replaced by a clawing emptiness... Still, that''s exactly what I''m asking Helena to do. How can I expect her to do something that I''m not willing to do? But then she''s always seemed so much stronger than me. She, Kent, my father¡­ No. I shake my head to dispel those thoughts. Perhaps not in the same ways, but I can do this. There''s too much at stake for me not to. For everyone I want to protect. For everyone who is fighting this battle. 30 Chapter 20 The days pass far too quickly. Before I know it we''re assembled in the war room waiting for Helena to tell us what''s expected of us. She told everyone else in private, but she seems to have made an exception for us. Arabella, Riel, Adrian, Kent, Larcen and I are all gathered. It''s Adrian who breaks the uncomfortable silence. "I''ll be with those providing first aid, right?" Helena hesitates for a moment. "... No. I have a special task for all of you here." And by special she means dangerous, doesn''t she? "While the main force of our army leads the assault on the guards in front of the castle, I need the rest of you to sneak in with our stealth group." That is to be expected. Those engaging the guards and attempting to force their way in stand very little chance at actually succeeding. Not when they''ll have to deal with being attacked with magic as well. "Once inside I''m going to need you, Larcen, to split off from the group and make your way towards the throne room from the South." She pointed out his course on one of the maps she had spread out. A map that used to belong to my father. "Sonia, you will make your way towards the throne room from the East. The path will be filled with guards and mages but you''ll have Adrian with you to heal you and Arabella, Riel and Kent will watch your back. You''ll be the main distraction so Larcen can get the job done." Larcen purses his lips, obviously not happy with the situation. Not that I can blame him. He has just been informed that the son he tried to talk out of joining the battle has one of the most dangerous positions in it. Kent doesn''t look happy either but for entirely different reasons I''d wager. "And what are you going to be doing while the rest of us risk our lives?" Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Helena''s glare at Larcen looks fit to kill but he doesn''t back down. "You don''t need to know that. You just need to do what you''re told." "So you expect the rest of us are going to put our lives in extreme danger without even knowing if you''re going to do the same." Larcen is practically radiating fury. It''s not for the position he''s in, though. Helena shifts her weight away from him in a move that would be disregarded by anyone else. "Yes." Her voice is defiant but her stance is wary. "Now that that''s settled, I have things to do." She makes to leave but Larcen isn''t done yet. He reaches out and even though I know what''s coming I''m frozen to the spot. I don''t warn her. I barely even breathe. 31 Interlude: Helena The sudden influx of emotions brings her up short. Shudders wrack her body as she curls inwards, trying to get away from the clawing emotions robbing her of the strength to pull away. And beneath it all is that seductive thread that urges her forward. It begs her to immerse herself in his emotions. To give up everything that she is and just feel. To take away some of the guilt, the anger, the fear¡­ the self-loathing. It''s only when the first sob leaves her that Kent is galvanised into action. He covers the distance between them with long strides and practically rips her from Larcen''s grasp before pulling her into an embrace. She clings to him like a lifeline as he whispers words of comfort, but it''s plain to everyone that it''s his touch that soothes her the most. That familiar comforting touch. So different from his father''s and yet the same. Her hands are still trembling when she uses them to pull his face down and lean his forehead against hers. Her unfocused eyes make it clear that despite looking directly at him she doesn''t actually see him. No, she sees Lord Auron in every part of him. In the way he carries himself. In his strong features. In those beautiful eyes of his. It always amazes her that people don''t realise the relation. Or maybe they do. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Maybe they ignore it the way they ignored her resemblance to Lord Ausset. After all, to them an illegitimate child is no child at all. "Auron¡­" The word escapes her lips involuntarily. She feels Kent stiffen but he doesn''t pull away. Still, it''s enough. It reminds her of where they are. She pulls herself out of his arms. The feeling of loss is staggering but she can''t afford another moment of weakness. 32 Chapter 21 The moment Helena leaves the room Kent rounds on Larcen. "What the hell were you thinking?! You don''t just initiate contact with an empath!" I don''t think I''ve ever seen Kent so angry. He''s always been so careful to keep him emotions in check. It feels like the temperature has dropped severely. I see Adrian move to protect his father and I pull him back sharply. The spike of emotions that runs through me is nothing compared to what I''d feel if he got hurt in the middle of this crossfire. "I forgot." Larcen sounds so lost when he says it. My heart clenches at the agonised way he looks at his hand almost as though it had betrayed him. "You don''t have the luxury of forgetting. Do you know why there are so few empaths?" Kent''s voice is low and cold, but I can see him trying to rein in his temper. Larcen shakes his head no. "It''s because every time we come into contact with someone we risk an overload of emotions. Many choose death over that constant risk." My voice seems to startle Kent. No doubt he was so caught up in being Helena''s white knight that he forgot the rest of us were even in the room. He backs down and begins to leave but not before tossing a few parting words at Larcen. "If you ever touch Sonia or Helena without their permission again I will rip your arms off and feed them to you." His words remain even after he is gone. It''s clear that no one remaining in the room has any idea how to deal with a still shell-shocked Larcen. It''s Adrian who eventually takes the plunge. He tugs on Larcen''s sleeve but gets no response. "Dad?" Adrian''s voice is a bare thread of a sound but it seems to shake Larcen out of it. He stares at his son for a long moment. Then he pulls him into a strong embrace. He''s whispering words that I can''t hear. Words that I wouldn''t want to hear. It''s not my place. I exchange glances with Arabella and Riel. This is a private moment. We shouldn''t be here. 33 Interlude: Ken He finds Helena in her room staring at the ceiling. Her cloak lays discarded in a heap on the ground. Her necklace as well. Something in her expression gives him the impression that she''s in the middle of a mental argument. She has her determined war face on. He doesn''t know if he should disturb her. He doesn''t know if he should even be here. A part of him screams that he should just leave. He doesn''t want to be involved in a war. He doesn''t want to lose anyone or anything else. He just wants to go home. But where is home now? House Auron with it''s ghosts of the past? House Auron which no longer even has Lady Auron? No, that isn''t home. It hasn''t been for a long time. Her eyes slide shut. "Either come in or leave. Don''t just stand in the doorway." He hesitates. Then he steps forward. She frowns and he can''t help but worry that he''s made the wrong choice. "I see." She looks at him then. He''d give anything to know what she''s thinking when she stares at him so intently. It feels like an eternity before she speaks again. "Ask your questions. I know you have them." He has questions. So many questions that it feels like he''ll never get all the answers. "Are you okay?" She makes a noncommittal sound. He reaches out to touch her. All he wants is to offer some comfort. She pulls away before he can make contact. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Don''t. If you do, I-" She swallows hard. "Just ask your questions." He clenches his fist and allows it to fall to his side. "You put me with Arabella and Sonia. Why?" Her eyes fall shut again. "It''s the only way I can honour my deal with you." He frowns. "Lord Auron''s plan of attack against a telepath was for him to use his considerable control and magic to brute force his way to said telepath." "Your point?" Her voice has a distinctly dreamlike quality now. "Why aren''t you doing the same?" "I don''t have magic." "Not with you. With me." Her lips quirk into what could be called a smile. He swallows. "And the others?" "I''ve done all I can to protect them." He gives a derisive laugh. "By putting them with me? I''ll draw her gaze." "Let me worry about that." Her words begin to slur and he knows he''s running out of time. Still he can''t quite push down the panic that sentence brings him. "What do you intend to do?" "What needs to be done." There''s a finality in her words that chills him. 34 Chapter 22 The next time I see Kent, he looks troubled. "What''s wrong?" I feel foolish just asking the question. We''re getting ready to go to our deaths. Larcen has gone from the strong dependable leader to barely keeping it together. He doesn''t even let Adrian out of his sight. Adrian is beside himself worrying about his father. Helena is practically comatose while she sleeps off the bone deep exhaustion of an empath that''s absorbed too much. I''m expected to keep the attention of the telepath and the mages while Larcen hopefully keeps it together long enough to do what must be done. What isn''t wrong? Still Kent doesn''t scoff at the question. He gives it the seriousness he used to give all my questions before things went to hell. "I think we''re going to win." My eyebrows practically disappear into my bangs. "That''s a good thing, isn''t it?" "I fear the price of victory may be too high." "We''re fighting so people like us will no longer have to fear the king and live in hiding. What could be too much to give up for that?" It feels strange to be the one trying to reassure him. "That''s just it. I''d live every moment of my life in fear and secrecy if it meant keeping those I love safe. To achieve this victory and lose everything in the process¡­ I couldn''t bear it." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "You''re not going to lose anything." I put as much conviction as I can into the statement. No matter what I won''t let anything happen to him. My entire life he''s protected and cared for me. He didn''t have to. It would have been perfectly understandable if he''d resented me. After all I was the heir and he the servant to our father. If not for me, Lord Auron could have instated him as heir. If not for me, he- "Promise me you''ll be careful." His words cut my contemplation short. "Kent...?" He stares determinedly at the ground. "This feels a lot like when Lord Auron went off to fight..." Oh. I guess it would feel that way to him. I''m willingly going into danger and expecting him to be fine with it. "Well the difference is you''ll be right there beside me." 35 Interlude: Helena She''s consumed by panic the moment she wakes. It has her scrambling out of bed and practically crawling to the spot where her necklace lay discarded. She snatches it up with something akin to reverence. Still she doesn''t fasten it around her neck. No, she just strokes it lovingly, drawing comfort from the familiar feeling. Lord Auron definitely wouldn''t approve of how dependant on it she''s become. But then it''s just another thing in the long list of things she''s done since his death that he wouldn''t approve of. Her strategy for the rebellion is another item in that list. That''s fine though. She may not be able to make him proud with a masterful strategy but she can protect his children. She can continue what he started when he chose to take on that telepath himself. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. They still don''t know the true story behind the ever-cautious Lord Auron throwing aside all pretense and his life. Everyone assumes he was just that determined to protect the kingdom. The truth is Lord Auron would have had no issues watching the kingdom razed to the ground. He had no love for it or the King. No his only concern was protecting those he loved even if he hid that love even from them. If the telepath had never uncovered that, they could both still be alive. His love for his children put them directly in the crosshairs. The telepath knew just where to push to get Lord Auron to back down. But then he overplayed his hand. Lord Auron refused to live with the constant threat to his children if he so much as stepped out of line. He knew going into the battle that he wouldn''t make it out. He took risks he never would have. For them. She clenches the necklace tight enough that it bites into her skin. She can''t afford to have Kent do the same. Things need to go according to plan. She forces herself to unclench her hand. It wouldn''t do to break the pendant. 36 Chapter 23 I sigh as I shut the door behind me. All I want to do is crawl into bed. Going to check on Larcen hadn''t eased my worries. In a way I''m relieved that we go to battle tomorrow. I don''t think any of us can handle more waiting. "Sonia." I only barely stop myself from jumping at that voice. "Helena, I thought you were sleeping." I didn''t expect her to wake up so soon. "I woke up." Obviously. A glint of light draws my attention to the necklace dangling from her hand. She follows my gaze and smiles bitterly. Then she lifts it towards me in offering. "What¡­?" "Take it." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Her eyes are still fixed on the pendant swinging in a lazy arc between us. I push down the urge to snatch it. "Why? It''s yours..." Father gave her that necklace when she first came to stay with us. I tried to steal it once in a fit of jealousy. I can still remember his disappointed look when he realised what I did. He made me give it back and apologise, of course. Still, she''s guarded it fiercely since then. "I won''t need it anymore." There''s something almost wistful in her voice as she says it. It''s unsettling. "Helena?" "Please." She looks so young. I''m still not sure if I''m doing the right thing as I lift my hand to take the necklace from her. She allows it to pool in my hand but doesn''t let go. She smiles serenely. "Thank you." Then she looks at me with a hard expression. "If you see the King don''t show him mercy. He won''t offer it to you." With that she lets go. Any response I would have given was drowned out by the sudden tidal wave of emotion that threatened to drag me under. 37 Interlude: Ken He feels drained both physically and emotionally. All he wants is to go to sleep and shut out the world and his thoughts for a few hours. All he wants is a few hours of beautiful oblivion before he''s expected to risk everything. But his mind refuses to shut off. He wrenches himself from bed with an angry breath. He''s been allowing himself to feel things much more freely since all this began. It''s a dangerous game, he knows, but he can''t bring himself to care. All the control in the world didn''t save Lord Auron. It didn''t keep Sonia from the gallows. It didn''t stop the King from going after Arabella. He shakes his head to dispel how utterly useless he feels at those thoughts. He won''t be so ineffectual tomorrow. He dresses with the efficiency of a lifetime of always being on call. When he leaves his room he has no clear destination in mind. Still his feet lead him to the door of the war room. The light peeking out from behind it gives him pause. He pushes the door open, expecting to see Larcen. Anticipating it even. A confrontation will give the impotent fury within him some means of escape. It''s not Larcen. He''s greeted by the sight of Helena''s back as she pores over the maps and notes scattered in front of her. "You should be sleeping." He knows the words are inane, but he''s still trying to process what he''s seeing. "So should you." She''s not wearing the cape or the remarkably inappropriate attire that serves as both a homage to her mother and a distraction. It''s not the oh so proper attire that Lord Auron had insisted a respectable young woman should wear. In fact her clothes would not be anything of note if not for the fact that the last time he saw her dressed this way she accompanied Lord Auron into battle. It''s only when the silence drags on long enough to be uncomfortable that she turns to face him. "I''ll sleep when this is over. There''s far too much to go over and confirm to waste time sleeping." Her too fast words barely register over the realisation that she''s no longer wearing the necklace. This is all adding up to an equation he wants nothing more than to disprove. "Hel, you need to sleep." He doesn''t have time to dwell on how much he sounds like a disapproving grandfather. "Me? No. You. You need to sleep. I need to - I just - I need¡­ I need to know that I''m not sending people to their deaths for a lost cause. I need to know that we''re going to win." She has that haunted, terrified look on her face again. This time, though, Lord Auron isn''t around to comfort her. He crosses the distance between them and gently takes her chin in his hand to tilt her face so she has no choice but to meet his eyes. "You''re not. I know you''ve gone over this a thousand times from a thousand different angles. Everyone here is going into this with the knowledge that the odds are more than against us. Death is a part of war." "People are prepared to die for this cause and you''ve given us a chance to succeed. I have no doubt that we will." The words are spoken with the conviction of someone who has absolute faith in her abilities. Absolute faith in her. He can see the moment his words get through to her. It''s in the straightening of her shoulders and the purpose that seems to fill her. "You''re right. We''re going to win." He knows he should step back. He should put distance between them. But he can''t bring himself to do it. She''s the one who steps back. "It''s actually good that you''re here. I won''t be seeing you guys off tomorrow and I wanted to talk to you before¡­ well before." He doesn''t say anything. He doesn''t know if he wants to hear what she has to say. Not now. She takes a deep breath like what she''s about to ask requires a great deal of courage. "If I''ve miscalculated and things go bad -" "That''s not going to happen." He can''t even allow himself to think it. "If it does, I want you to take Sonia and flee. Head for the mountains. The wards won''t affect you. I was allowed to add a select few to the list of those the magic won''t affect. I''d always hoped - well, it doesn''t really matter, does it?" "Hel, what-?" "Promise me, you''ll do it." "I-" "Promise me, Kent." "I can''t just-" Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "I need to know that the two of you are going to be okay." It''s the desperation in her voice that elicits the promise from him. 38 Chapter 24 When we all gather in the meeting hall it''s with a great deal of uncertainty. In a few minutes we''re supposed to go into battle but we haven''t so much as seen our leader. As for our strategist - she''s gone. Her note left no illusion that she was coming back. A simple "I have no reason to stay. I''m no longer needed." in her quick untidy scrawl. I can understand her wanting to leave but right before a big battle seems is a bit ridiculous. Still after our last encounter I have to admit I''m a bit relieved. I don''t think I''d be able to handle another unshielded taste of her emotions. My hand subconsciously goes to where the pendant now lays hidden beneath my clothing. She had father''s gift enchanted to hide her emotions from others. It''s only fitting. He was always inscrutable. Muffled whispers bring my attention back to the hall. Riel has stepped forward to talk to the gathered masses but they don''t afford him the attention he seeks. He tries to speak but his words are drowned out by shuffling of the crowd. I glance at Kent but he doesn''t seem to be paying attention to the going ons. When I turn my attention back to the makeshift stage Arabella is up there trying to help her brother get the would-be warriors to listen. She''s visibly frustrated by the way they all seem to be ignoring her. I''m about to lend my aid when a commanding voice cuts through the noise. "Silence!" It''s the unexpectedness as much as the tone of the voice that causes everyone to comply. When Larcen steps onto the stage there''s no trace of the broken man from the past few days. He''s every bit the strong confident leader that I first met. His eyes sweep over everyone gathered. "Today we take back our lives." Adrian makes his way to my side looking every bit as determined as his father. Larcen goes on with his speech but I''m too busy trying to figure out what caused this change to pay much attention. It''s only once he gives the order to move out that I''m brought back to myself. Riel and Arabella had made their way over to us at some point during the speech - I''m not sure when exactly. For a moment none of us are sure what to do. Then Kent lays a hand on the hilt of his sword and begins to walk. We follow, not wanting to get separated. I''m not sure how long the journey to the castle takes us but all too soon we''re sneaking into the castle while a large amount of our ''soldiers'' are serving as a distraction. A crackling in the air is all the warning I have before a bolt of lightning arcs through it, landing in the spot I was in seconds before. I''m about to retaliate with magic of my own but Kent beats me to it. He dispatches the mage with such deadly efficiency that the mage doesn''t even feel it. For a moment I''m too stunned to move. I know that father trained Kent but I''d never seen him fight before. "Let''s go." His voice reminds me of the urgency of our situation and we continue through the corridors. There are more mages but this time I''m not caught off guard. I use my own magic to fend off their attacks and keep the others safe while they attacked. Riel and Arabella move together like a well oiled fighting machine. I can practically see the fury radiating off of them, fuelling their motions. It''s so different from the way Kent moves. He moves like a tightly leashed beast. Every motion is controlled but brings with it the threat of a deep rage bubbling under the surface as he moves from one target to another without pause. Adrian stays close to me and I can feel the tendrils of fear that he''s trying to clamp down on. A part of me wants to comfort him but this isn''t the time. I need to focus on keeping my magic flowing. Some people think that every mage has a private store of magic that can be accessed at any time. That''s not true. It''s more that there''s an ever present energy that exists in the very air around us. We can channel and convert it into ''magic'' for our own purposes. It''s an instinctual knowledge that each mage possesses. Just like how Empaths know how to draw out emotions. As a low level the amount I can convert at a time is less than most of these mages but that just means I have to use it more creatively. I collapse the ground beneath some of the mages before spinning around to redirect an attack aimed at Adrian. I wince at the pain that reaches out to me before tamping it down to block another attack. I''m not sure how long I can keep this up. 39 Interlude: Helena Helena stays pressed against the wall until she''s sure the fighting has moved past her. Then she peels herself off and resumes her walk. She can''t afford to be seen yet. If Kent were to see her¡­ She''d lose her nerve and she can''t afford that. She locates the flight of stairs exactly where she knew it''d be. She casts another glance around before beginning her ascent. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. There''s a part of her, however small, that would welcome a sword to the back right now. The rest of her keeps her moving. She has to see this done. She hesitates at the top of the staircase. Is she sure she wants to do this? Kent would never forgive her. She shakes her head. She has no choice now. She pushes open the innocuous looking door and walks into the luxurious bedroom. Even though she knows what she''ll find, the strategist in her can''t help but catalogue the occupants of the room. Two mages stand guard, waiting for any cue to attack her and on the bed¡­ There sits Eri, the telepath. Her eyes are closed, no doubt, in deep concentration. Still, Eri has to know Helena is there. She has to hear her. Eri''s eyes slowly open and focus on Helena. "So the silent one must be Sonia. Did you really think such a simple deception would change anything?" Helena shakes her head ''no''. Giving Sonia the necklace had been a desperate move but not one that could affect the outcome of this particular battle. It was merely a distraction. In fact everything in place now can be seen as a distraction. The battle - the real battle - is supposed to be the one here. Eri''s mouth twitches in a mockery of a smile. "You really think you can sway me?" Helena''s eyes flicker to the mages standing guard and she shakes her head ''no'' once again. She merely wanted to be certain. The way the Telepath curls an arm around her abdomen protectively tells Helena that she caught that stray thought. "I suppose congratulations are in order." The words hit a nerve as she knew they would. "Now you understand why I cannot betray my king - not when his child grows within me." No doubt Helena is giving off a similar mix of emotions. She had hoped¡­ "Did you really think the only thing driving me was revenge against House Auron?" After all, the telepath had been taken as one of the spoils of war once Lord Auron killed her far more skilled father. If she still resented the events it would have been old hat to redirect her hatred towards the king who commanded Lord Auron. Helena even considered doing the unthinkable - the one thing she swore she would never do again - by cutting the threads that allow Eri to feel. But here and now faced with the truth, her conscience won''t allow her to do that to an innocent child. And Eri... She has something to protect. Helena cannot hope to win against that. 40 Chapter 25 I only barely manage to bring up enough magic to deflect the next attack. With this many mages trying to draw from the same well of energy it''s hard to gather enough to do anything. Even with my anger and fear at the forefront strengthening my ability to draw it in it just isn''t adequate. It doesn''t help that the mid-levels I''m going up against have a stronger connection than I do. If this keeps up there won''t be any magic for me to access. No matter how many mages we take out more just seem to take their place. At this rate we''re going to be overrun. Eri''s throwing every mage that can be spared at us. I glance at Kent but he''s too absorbed in his deadly dance to notice. He doesn''t even seem to feel the nasty cut across his abdomen or the burn on his left shoulder. He''s too far away for Adrian to heal and there''s no way I''m letting the kid get any closer to the enemy mages than necessary. Still, I can''t help but worry. If Kent falls in battle¡­ I''m not sure I''ll be enough to draw Eri''s gaze. A Void is just as attention-claiming to a telepath as they are to empaths. The only difference is that while they can hide their emotions from an empath they have no such shield against a telepath. Kent''s carefully controlled thoughts keep most of his secrets safe but it also makes him an irresistible challenge to telepaths. Just like father was. That''s why Helena chose him for team distraction, no doubt. As far as I can tell she gave me the necklace so Eri wouldn''t realise there was a mage in said team. Still, time''s running out. We can''t keep this up forever. Larcen¡­ I extend my awareness to try and locate him via his emotions. I''m almost brought to my knees by the emotions flooding into me. Too much¡­ I use them to strengthen my magic but I know I won''t be able to stand it for much longer so I focus on sifting through them for something specific. As far as I can remember he''s always had very distinct and strong feelings so it doesn''t take long to lock onto him. Once I do I collapse my field of awareness back to it''s normal radius. He isn''t even halfway to the throne room yet. He''s being cautious and that''s good but¡­ 41 Interlude: Ken Kent let''s his body go from one motion to another without conscious thought. He doesn''t allow himself to think about his next move before he does it. He can''t afford to. Just like he can''t afford to feel. The very air around him feels wrong. Empty. And yet¡­ Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. It''s filled with power that calls to him. An ever present itch under his skin. It reminds him of days sparring with Lord Auron. He has plenty of experience ignoring the itch. He can push past it just like he can push past his physical aches. He can''t afford to fall here. Helena trusted him with this duty and he - "Poor little pawn, don''t you realise it yet?" He ignores the taunting voice in his head and flings himself at another opponent. "You''ve already lost. Accept it." Loss or not, it''s his place to accept it. It''s not his place to question orders - merely follow them. "That''s just it. The one who gave those orders? She''s already accepted defeat." He can''t stop his body from locking up at that. It''s only sheer reflex that has him dodging a nearly fatal blow before dealing a definitely fatal one to the attacker. He tries to ignore those words. Sonia would not be so quick to accept defeat. A quick glance at her, however, shows that she''s struggling to maintain even a simple flow of magic. He looks at the assortment of mages with new eyes. They''re limiting her. It''s with a new viciousness that he tears through the nearest one. "No, not her. Don''t you see?" He doesn''t even allow himself to think about the implications of those words. It''s not possible. Helena wouldn''t have come here. She wouldn''t be so foolish as to enter this battle with nothing but her empathy to protect her. All that would be doing is courting death and Helena has never been suicidal. "You presume that you know what she''d do? How many times has she done things you swore she never would?" He tries to shove aside the truth of those words but their effect is clear in the fury present in every one of his swings. "Accepting Lord Auron''s proposal." "Forgiving Lord Ausset." He kicks a severed head into a mage with enough force to bring her to her knees. "Assisting in this hopeless rebellion." He''s breathing hard now. He can feel the emotions he''s trying so hard to control clawing at him. Begging for release. It''d be so easy to just - "I have her right here with me, you know." He shakes his head with a growl as he launches himself at another unfortunate mage. 42 Chapter 26 Kent''s sudden viciousness scares me. I''ve never seen him like this. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. He tears through the enemy mages like they are all personally responsible for every single injustice in life. What scares me more though is that this is him still in control. He''s still giving off the comforting nothing of a Void despite the bone deep fury his actions suggest. Still, his control is threadbare and fraying. I can feel it in the chill in the air. Then I can feel it radiating off of him. His comforting emptiness is interspersed with such intense wrath that the word doesn''t even seem sufficient. I can only watch in horror as the wrath slowly but surely overpowers the emptiness. I try to redirect it into my own magic but it''s almost mind-numbingly strong. I''ve only ever felt emotions this intense from one other person¡­ If this is a mere imitation of what he''s feeling then I can only be glad that I''m not the cause. The thought of experiencing the full force of his emotions terrifies me. Especially now that - He stops moving. He just stands there in the middle of mages with every intention of killing him. I try to draw upon magic of my own to help him but that''s when I feel it. My supply of magic is dried up. I can''t so much as generate a spark. I am so certain it''s over that it takes me a moment to realise none of the mages are attacking. "What''s going on? The mages aren''t using magic anymore." I faintly hear Riel''s words but I can''t quite bring myself to voice my thoughts. "Does it matter? Just take them down before they start again!" Even Arabella''s somewhat bloodthirsty rejoinder doesn''t manage to force the words out of me. The air around Kent is practically crackling with power. One of the mages is foolish enough to try and tackle him. Kent doesn''t so much as flinch as the mage is encased in ice and shatters mere inches from him. Before they can do anything to protect themselves the same happens to the other mages. I hear the shocked and somewhat horrified gasps of my companions but my gaze remains fixed on Kent. His gaze flickers to me before dismissing me - whether it''s because he still has the presence of mind to recognise me or he just doesn''t see my low level as a threat, I''m not sure. His entire body goes rigid with attention and the next thing I know he''s taking off down the corridor leaving nothing behind him but ice. "He''s going the wrong way. Should we go after him?" Adrian''s voice gives me pause. The throne room is in the opposite direction of where Kent is headed. If we keep going without him we won''t have the advantage of magic but neither will the enemy. I want to go after him and make sure he''s okay. At the same Helena''s orders were clear. To deviate from the plan now would be to leave Larcen and the others fighting unguarded. "No. We keep going." 43 Interlude: Helena Helena gives another half-hearted tug at the chains binding her but she knows they won''t relent. No, if she wanted to be free she should have avoided them in the first place. It comes as no surprise that the mages would seek to restrain her even after her surrender. Still when she allowed herself to be chained she didn''t expect to feel what she''s feeling now. The moment she felt Kent''s control snap she knew she''d made the wrong decision. Her only comfort is that Eri knows it too. "He''s a mage?" The shock in Eri''s voice is satisfying. It''s so rare to catch her off guard. Helena frowns as the chains holding her go slack. "A high-level mage that you pissed off." She frowns when the mages try to conjure up some magic only to fail. "Deeply, by the looks of things. What were you trying to do?" Eri doesn''t answer. It''s not like any response she could give would make a difference. A very enraged high-level mage was making his way towards them with probably every intention to kill, after all. Helena watches as it slowly dawns on the mages that they are completely cut off from the source of their magic. It looks like Lord Auron''s hypothesis is correct. A sufficiently high-level mage with a strong enough emotion could effectively render lower level mages useless by pulling in all available magic. Helena wonders if he''d be proud that it''s Kent proving him right. Then she decides it doesn''t matter as Kent shatters the door to the room with a barrage of ice. One look at him surrounded by ice and practically humming with magic and she knows. He''s no longer the subservient Kent she''s used to. No, standing before her is a determined high-level mage in his element. 44 Chapter 27 Without my magic to protect me, I switched to a sword. I may not be the best with one, but Lord Auron saw to it that I knew how to protect myself and he never did anything by halves. Even without Kent and my magic, it is easier to make our way towards the throne room now that the mages can''t access any magic. Most of them don''t even bother to put up a fight - they just run. Those fighting outside are probably having a better time of it too. Maybe, just maybe, there won''t be as high a sacrifice as we thought. I stop when I''m suddenly swamped with strong emotions. Larcen¡­? He''s not far now. In fact¡­ he''s just ahead of us. In the throne room. I glance at Adrian, but he just gives me a weak smile. Witnessing all this fighting and death must be hard on him. It''s hard on me too, but I can block it out as long as I remain untouched. But for a mid-level healer¡­ Someone whose everything instinct tells them to soothe and heal wounds¡­ This must be maddening. It''s then that I make a decision. I won''t let him see anymore. "Riel, Arabella, take Adrian and get to safety. His part in this battle is done." Adrian looks like he''s about to protest but Riel quiets him with a shake of his head. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. It''s Arabella who speaks. "What about you?" "I''ll be along shortly. I just need to finish something." They don''t seem happy with that answer but they don''t argue. "Come back alive, okay?" Adrian''s teary smile chokes me up to the point that all I can do is nod. Riel seems about to add something to that but I fix him with a look. "Get them out of here." He nods and I wait until they are gone. 45 Interlude: Larcen There''s a feeling of anticlimax as Larcen enters the throne room. This is what he''s worked towards for years and it''s finally at hand, but¡­ Instead of the monster he''s envisaged there''s just a middle-aged man sitting on the throne without a care in the world. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Sure, intellectually, he knows the King is human but after everything the man put him through it doesn''t seem at all appropriate. With his sword drawn, Larcen tentatively walks forward. It can''t be this easy, can it? The King makes no effort to protect himself. He just smirks at Larcen. It''s ¡­ unsettling. "So, you''re the champion of justice come to slay the big bad oppressor?" Larcen almost starts at the King''s words. Instead he grits his teeth. A champion of justice? No. More like vengeance. If it had not affected his family personally, Larcen wouldn''t have cared - he hadn''t cared. He''s man enough to admit that. The smirk only grew wider. "Such anger¡­ Do your followers know that they''re dying just to fuel your quest for revenge?" "They know what I''ve lost. They know I''d do anything to make you suffer for it." The words are practically growled out. "And what did you lose, hmm? Didn''t you gain far more? You have a loyal army at your bidding. You rose from your mediocre life to be a leader." Larcen''s grip on his sword tightens. "I never wanted to be a leader or a father or any of this. I just wanted to be with her." The words are thick. The King scoffs. "Really, all this over a woman? You could have a hundred women. They could ease that ache within you. I could make you forget all about her." The King''s words are seductive. To no longer carry the pain or guilt¡­ No! "You don''t even know her name, do you?" The words are hollow with realisation. "Why should I remember the name of a nobody who tried to stand in my way?" It is thanks to the King that he lost everything that mattered. It is thanks to the King that he can''t even look at his own son without feeling like a failure. Everything he''s feeling is the fault of the King¡­ An event that wasn''t even important enough for the King to remember. "She was everything and you took her from me! You destroyed my life!" The King stands and draws his sword. "No, not yet. But I will." Larcen stands his ground as their swords meet even as the vibrations seem to intensify his aches. He isn''t a fighter - his wounds are proof of that. He''s a farmer, born and bred. Even so - he won''t die here. He refuses to come this far just to falter at the finish line. 46 Chapter 28 I try to stay hidden as I watch Larcen and the King fight it out. The last thing Larcen needs is to be distracted at a critical moment. Even without a distraction he''s having a hard time holding his own against the King. Larcen may be younger and bigger but the King has the advantage of being formally trained for battle. He sees through each of Larcen''s attacks easily. In fact, it looks more like Larcen is a mouse being played with by a particularly sadistic cat. My hands twitch with the urge to just shoot magic at the King, but I still don''t have access. Kent¡­ What are you doing? Out of all of us, you are the most skilled swordsman and mage. Father had trained you personally to be House Auron''s sword and shield. If anyone could take down the King, it would be you. So why... why aren''t you here? I am about to expand my field of perception to locate Kent when I notice something¡­ odd. The emotions I am feeling from the King are interspersed with a faint mirror of Larcen''s. ¡­ The King is an empath? It makes sense that he wouldn''t want that to be public knowledge. It''s as much a weakness as it is a strength when it comes to political intrigue. It also explains why his royal clothing keeps him so covered up that the only bare skin was on his face. I bring my hand up to the necklace. Is this why she gave it to me? So I can sneak up on the King? 47 Interlude: Helena Eri is scared. Helena can feel it. She''s surprised she can feel anything over the suffocating waves off rage Kent is emitting but there it is. Eri backs away but Kent pays her no mind. It seems to Helena that he is barely even aware of anything happening at the moment. He seems preoccupied. "Call your guard dog off!" Helena almost doesn''t hear the thoughts broadcasted into her mind. She can barely hear her own thoughts. "Call him off!" The notion that she can force Kent to do anything is laughable. Hasn''t she been trying for years? No, only the scions of House Auron have the privilege of his undying loyalty and right now she doesn''t think even they can get through to him. He''s fighting a battle against his own emotions and instincts¡­ And he''s losing. That much is clear in violent current of freezing air swirling around him. What''s more worrying is the ice radiating along the ground where he stands. It''s a mere trickle of magic that''s escaping his control. Eventually he''s going to need to disperse all the magic he''s drawn in. That much power unleashed... There''s a very good chance that he''ll destroy the castle, if not the entire kingdom, then. Helena has the urge to bang her head against a wall as she feels Eri''s horror multiply. She forgot the telepath was listening. Still, it doesn''t change the urgency of the situation. All who can should evacuate while Kent can still hold it in. Helena catches Eri''s nod and knows she''ll take care of it. Eri and her impotent mage guards make for the door while Kent is still distracted. That catches his attention. Helena sees the torrent of icicles forming and reacts without thinking. "Kent!" At the sound of his name the icicles fall to the floor where they skitter and shatter harmlessly. He turns toward her slowly, almost drunkenly. For a moment she thinks they''ll manage to get passed him and out the door. They don''t, of course. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. A wall of ice springs up to halt their progress. His physical responses may be sluggish but his magic certainly isn''t. It hurts to be on the other end of that gaze, but she pushes it down. She has enough emotions to deal with without adding her own to the mix. "Stop it, Kent." She tries to keep her voice composed and commanding as though she isn''t completely at his mercy and chained to a wall. His only response is a growl as the anger radiating off him spikes. It reminds her of a predator who''s had their prey taken away. There''s confusion under it and that''s what she chooses to address. "You would never forgive yourself if you hurt an innocent." His jaw is working long before he makes a verbal response and when he does every word seems like a chore. "... None¡­ born¡­ are... innocent..." It strikes her as hilarious how different this is from his usual easy eloquence. Still, she chooses to focus on the fact that he still has enough presence of mind to answer. "What about those not yet born?" There''s a tense silence as she sees those words sink in. He grits his teeth and slowly the wall of ice retracts. Helena lets out a breath in relief. Sure there''s no guarantee they''ll make it out safely, but now they have a chance. As for herself¡­ 48 Chapter 29 Larcen sees me as I try to sneak up on the King. "Stay out of this!" I freeze a few meters away. His shout ruined any chance of a surprise attack. Was this really the time for him to be honourable and want a one on one fight?! What happened to doing anything to topple the King? Then I feel the waves of emotion rolling off Larcen and I understand. It''s not that he wants to be honourable - it''s that he wants to be the one to destroy the King. The King''s attention doesn''t waver from Larcen''s attacks, but he maneuvers them so he can get a look at me as well. "Well, if it isn''t the late Lady Auron. You father would be so disappointed." My hackles rise at those words but I say nothing. He''s trying to manipulate me through my emotions. He parries another of Larcen''s attacks easily. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Larcen is already breathing heavily and covered in sweat but the King looks unruffled. He even speaks conversationally like this is nothing out of the ordinary. "You always were the disappointment though, weren''t you? Helena was the one with a head for tactics - the one he could share his passions with." His words are targeted at my own insecurities with deadly accuracy but I try as hard as I can to ignore them. I refuse to play into his hands. "And now, here you are - taking orders from this commoner. You''ve obviously learnt nothing from your father. He would have slit my neck himself, still I suppose there is a tactical advantage to sending a Void - if only he was more skilled. Alas, you lost control of the other one, didn''t you?" He prattles on like he has no care in the world and it makes me want to punch his smug face. It takes a while for the true meaning of his words to sink in through the haze of annoyance. A Void¡­? But he mentioned ''the other one'' which was clearly Kent so¡­ Larcen?! But I can feel Larcen! I''ve always been able to feel Larcen strongly! ¡­ Just like I could feel Kent once he lost control. A Void whose dark emotions are stronger than their comforting nothing. What did father call it? A tainted Void? If Larcen''s a tainted Void then¡­ 49 Interlude: Larcen The absurdity of Sonia''s shout almost causes Larcen to drop his guard. Touch the King? He is trying to kill the King not seduce him. She clarifies as though she can sense his confusion - she probably can, come to think of it. "He''s an empath! Mid-level at least!" Those words bring to mind the one time he''d unthinkingly touched Helena and her subsequent freakout. He remembers the feeling of all his deepest emotions being wrenched to the surface for her to peruse. Can he truly go through that again? To open himself like that intentionally¡­ To share the burden he''s been carrying... It goes against everything within him. And yet - what would be more fitting? The King should have a taste of the devastation he wrought. The King should feel what it''s like to have everything taken from him. The smile that spreads across Larcen''s face is not a pleasant thing. So yes, he''ll touch him. 50 Chapter 30 The King isn''t offering advice anymore. No doubt he realised it''s a stupid thing to do after I told larcen to touch him. Now he''s focused entirely on blocking Larcen''s attempts to get near. This is no good. The King is more skilled and can probably keep this up for longer than Larcen''s energy will hold out. Eventually Larcen''s going to make a mistake. There has to be something I can do. My magic still isn''t working, so a well-timed blast of fire is out of the equation. I''m probably more skilled at swordplay than Larcen but neither of us are at the level where fighting the same foe would put us at an advantage. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. No, we''re more likely to end up injuring each other instead. All I really have left is my empathy - a skill I''ve never really had to use for combat. What would Helena do in my place? ¡­ No, that''s not right. It''s not what she''d do - it''s what she''d be weak to. Memories flick through my mind and I know the answer. All those emotions that I''ve been bottling up and pushing down - my fear, my rage, my helplessness - I pull them to the surface and let them out. The suddenness of it has the King momentarily dazed. It''s not a lot, but it''s enough. Larcen manages to knock the sword out of the King''s grasp. He drops his own sword and grabs the King by the collar to keep him in place. Even now the King looks smug. "You think you''ve won? You may have defeated me but I''m not the only one who''s going to die today. The out of control mage is going to destroy everything. Even your son." Larcen pays the words no mind and just lifts one bare hand to the King''s cheek. It''s a soft barely there touch until the King jerks away. Then it becomes a strong grip. The King''s face contorts into a myriad of expressions even as Larcen''s remains pinched in concentration. It feels like both an eternity and a mere moment have passed when Larcen pulls back, panting. The King is rocking back and forth on the ground, practically catatonic. "Do we leave him like this or¡­?" Helena''s words to show him no mercy come back to me, but isn''t it more merciless to let him live with those feelings? "What was he talking about? What out of control mage? I cringe slightly at that wording. "Kent." "He''s a mage? Why wasn''t I told? Nevermind. Is he really going to destroy everything?" It would have brought up too many questions was my reason, but if Helena knew Larcen was a Void then she probably didn''t tell him because Voids are a magnet for telepathic searches. It''s probably better for his sanity if I don''t tell him that though. As for the second question¡­ "With the amount of magic he''s been pulling in it''s possible, but¡­ Kent wouldn''t." "You''d be surprised what people will do given the right motivation. Anger is a wonderful motivator." Any response I am about to give dies as I notice the ice creeping along the walls. "Ice?" Larcen sounds only mildly interested. "It''s Kent''s element - the default form his magic takes." "Ah. Still think he wouldn''t destroy everything?" "Kent will regain control and everything will be alright. You''ll see." Even as I say it my voice trembles. If Larcen notices he doesn''t say anything. "Be that as it may, if this ice continues spreading - at the very least, the castle is going to collapse. We need to get out of here." I give a hasty nod and we take off running for the nearest exit. "Assuming the worst, how far is Kent''s range?" Larcen doesn''t slow down to ask the question. "The edges of the kingdom? Possibly further? He''s more powerful than any mage here." 51 Interlude: Helena Helena can''t stop her teeth from chattering. The entire room looks like something out of a winter wonderland now - well with the possible exception of the chains binding her. Still, of all the ways to go at least Kent is here with her - even if he''s not really mentally here. He''s losing the fight to keep his magic in check. Sudden bursts of ice are coming closer together now. A part of her wonders why he came here after losing it. The hopeful part of her wants to believe it''s because he sought her out for comfort. The realist in her thinks he came after Eri for revenge on whatever mindgames caused him to lose control. Either way, she''s glad he''s there. "Helena!" Helena makes an impatient noise at the telepath''s voice in her head. Can''t they just let her die in peace? "He''s frozen the entire castle and the ice is starting to spread to the city! We''re trying to evacuate but the ice is moving fast! Do something about your guard dog!" Easy for her to say. She''s not the one chained to a wall. Still there are too many innocents in the city. Lord Ausset is in the city. Steeling herself, Helena calls out. "Kent, listen to me. You need to rein it in." She tries to keep her voice commanding and steady despite her chattering teeth. If anything the magic around him seems to get more violent in response to her voice. "Dammit, Kent! You''re going to kill us all!" He can control it. She knows he can. But he''s too absorbed in his own emotions to let the rational part of him take over. She tugs hard at the chains holding her in position but they don''t give. She needs to get to him. If she can just get to him¡­ She looks hard at the chains binding her and comes to a decision. "Auron!" He growls in response, low and primal and so very angry. He emits a sudden burst of ice that frosts the chains. She tugs hard on them but it''s not enough. "Dammit, Kent, get your ass over here!" She means it as a command but it comes out more as a plea. Another growl. She grits her teeth and growls right back. "Enough! The King has fallen and both Lady Aurons are alive. I, Helena Siyarne de Ausset, claim you as mine. You will listen to me!" He pauses for a moment as though weighing her words. Then she''s being thrown against the wall by a mass of ice. It''s a while before she can breathe properly again. When she can, she takes stock of her position. She''s probably going to have some lasting damage from the impact but¡­ The chains snapped. She doesn''t waste another moment. She forces her aching, stiff body to cross the distance between them and practically throws herself at Kent. He doesn''t catch her, but he doesn''t push her away. She''s not sure she would have been able to make it over a second time. She places her bare palms on either side of his face and pulls it down to lean against her own. From the first moment of skin on skin she can feel his rage pushing itself into her but she ignores it. She ignores the mounting anger in her own body just as she ignores it''s aches, the biting wind and the frost forming over her. This is more important than her. This is Kent. This time instead of resisting she lets her magic flow into him, searching for the source of his emotions. She can practically see the tangled mass of rage within him. It tries to snare her but she pushes past that as well. The anger isn''t the cause - just a symptom. It''s a defense mechanism against pain. Just when she thinks she''ll succumb to unconsciousness before ever seeing the source - there it is. A bright incandescent ball of anguish. She sets to work removing the threads of anger. She tries to ignore the memories that are revealed as she dives deeper and deeper into his pain. One by one she unhooks the threads. It would be quicker to cut them - to remove the very emotions causing this from his reach - but she can''t bear to harm him in that way. It''s his right to feel the way he does. She tries to focus on her task and not the things this invasion of privacy is revealing. She''s so determinedly trying to ignore it that it takes her by surprise when the last of the anger slips free and he pulls slightly away. She blinks dazedly as she brings herself back to her body. The room is still freezing but the wind has died and she''s willing to bet the ice has stopped spreading. "Hel?" He sounds as out of it as she feels. She opens her mouth to respond but has no clear idea of what to say. A loud cracking noise stops her from having to. Kent realises what''s happening before she does and pulls her close protectively. It''s only as they''re falling and it all gets dark that she realises what''s happening. 52 Epilogue When Helena wakes the first thing she notices is that she''s in a fancy not-destroyed bedroom. The second thing she notices is that Kent isn''t with her. She puts a hand to her dazed head as she gets off the bed, marvelling at the lack of pain. Either she''s on some very good drugs or she''s been treated by a healer - probably Adrian. She''d have assumed one of her friends from the mountains if not for the unfamiliar bedroom. She cautiously makes her way out of the room in search of someone. After everything that''s happened recently she''d rather not open herself to more strain by using her empathy to do it. When she does finally find the occupants of the house, it''s Larcen and Adrian. When she speaks her voice comes out raspy from disuse. "Nice digs." It''s lame, she knows, but she doesn''t quite know what else to say. "Lee! You''re awake! I was beginning to think you were gonna sleep forever!" She frowns at this and the sudden hunger making itself known to her. Her bodily systems are finally coming back online after being shut down for the restorative sleep of an overexerted gifted. "How long was I out for?" "A week." Larcen''s calm response only draws attention to the fact that he''s no longer emitting anything but the comforting nothing of a Void. Good. His pain is finally healing. Her body tries to force her into fulfilling it''s needs but she ignores them for now. It''s waited a week, a few more minutes won''t matter. "And um¡­ what happened to Kent?" She''s not sure she wants to know the answer. "He woke up a couple days ago and went back to the¡­ well the new Auron Household. The old one collapsed when the castle did. Thankfully no one was in it. Sonia and Riel are trying to make a go of it apparently." Helena nods at this news. Of course he''d go back to them. Still, it''s a lot better than her fears that he managed to get himself killed in the collapse. "Lord Ausset?" "He''s been very involved in restorative work. So has Arabella. There might actually be something there." "No there isn''t!" Helena can''t help but smile at Adrian''s immediate denial. If there is something there she''d be good for him. If not, well, he''ll find someone eventually. He has to carry on the family line after all. Speaking of family lines¡­ "So what''s the deal with the monarchy, now? Who''s the current King?" Larcen shifted uncomfortably at this. "The previous King was crushed when the castle collapsed. A replacement hasn''t been decided yet. We''re thinking of holding an election." "Will you be running?" "Fair enough. What if the next King is as bad as the previous?" "We''ll deal with it." They shared a small conspiratorial smile. *** A couple of days later, Helena slings her small bag of belongings over her shoulder and says goodbye to Larcen and Adrian. She waved off their offers of her staying as long as she wanted. As interesting as staying with them had been, it just wasn''t home. Not to mention she''d gotten too many visits from members of the rebellion wanting to see how she was doing once word got out that she was awake. Needless to say it got old fast. She did enjoy the visit from the feisty Arabella who got shy any time the subject of Lord Ausset was broached. The visit from Lord Ausset who did the same whenever Arabella was brought up was doubly amusing considering his previous reputation as something of a charmer. Riel and Sonia''s visit had been awkward but she wasn''t really expecting anything different. It got a bit better once she told Sonia she wouldn''t be enforcing their deal regarding Kent but not by much. As for Kent himself¡­ He never visited. Not that she can blame him after the last time they''d been in the same room together. She tenses when someone falls into step beside her. A quick glance has her speeding up, but he keeps pace with her. "Go home, Kent." "That''s what I''m doing." "House Auron is in the other direction." "I''m no longer a vassal of House Auron as per the agreement made." "Didn''t Son-sorry, Lady Auron tell you? I''m not enforcing it." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "You already did." She winces as he references her bold declaration in the castle. A part of her had hoped he''d forget it. "Yeah well, I''m releasing you from it. You''re a free man now. Do what you will." "Then I''m coming with you." "Don''t. Don''t force yourself to do this out of some misguided sense of honour or whatever." He stops at those words, but she keeps going. Just when she thinks he''s given up she hears him rushing to catch up. "What do you mean by that?" "I meant what I said. I don''t want you to do this unless it''s what you want." "You''ve never doubted it before." "Well that was before¡­ what happened in the castle, okay?" "You mean when I threw you into the wall? I''m sorry and if I could take it back I would. I wasn''t exactly in my right mind at the time and you''d just claimed me as a servant. I would never have hurt-" She stopped walking and he did as well. "When I calmed your rage I saw it''s cause, okay?! I tried not to but I couldn''t block out all of it!" He frowns in confusion and she can''t help but think he looks his cutest when he''s confused. "I know you did. Why would that be an issue? If you think I''d hold the invasion of privacy against you when it''s really the only reason the Kingdom still exists¡­ you have a very strange idea of my priorities." She just stares at him for a moment before making an impatient noise. "Kent, when I looked into your pain, I saw that I was the cause for most of it. How could you want to be with someone who''s the source of your pain?" He looks at her for a while trying to determine whether she is serious and when he does he starts to laugh, a hearty amused laugh. Helena thinks of leaving him there but now she is too curious and a little bit hopeful too. Better to kill the hope now than to wonder. "What''s so funny?" "You. You fixated so much one this one little detail that you failed to see the big picture." He sobers quickly and fixes her with his gaze. "Hel, the reason why you''re the source of most of my pain is because I love you. There''ve been so many roadblocks in our path that when you left for the mountains I resigned myself to never being able to be with you but I never stopped loving you." She barely hears the words after ''I love you''. She''s been waiting to hear those words for so long that nothing else seems to matter. "I-I love you too." The smile that breaks out on his face is practically beaming and she can''t help but feel shy under his gaze. "So, where are we headed? The mountains?" As much as she loves the idea of starting a life with him somewhere far from here the practical side of herself rears its head. "You can''t just up and leave to the mountains! Your life is here." "My life is with you. Besides, I''ve been spending the time since I woke up sorting things out so I''d have nothing forcing me to stay." As sweet as that is she can''t help but feel a little skeptical. "And Sonia?" "I''ll admit, I would like to visit but well she doesn''t quite need me anymore. She has family around her and someone very wise once said that I can''t spend my entire life taking care of her - I need to live my life too." He gently reaches out to cup her cheek and she can''t resist the urge to nuzzle into his palm - she doesn''t want to resist it. "So, I''ll ask you again, where are we going?"