Chapter Four
“Weeks?” Saoirse exclaimed as they sat across from one another in the study, their usual chessboard between them.
Rion waved a hand. “Could be months, but—”
“What do you mean months ?” She could hardly keep the growl from her voice.
“Don’t make it a big deal, you go out on long missions all the time.”
“With warriors I trust ,” she emphasized. “With comrades I’ve trained beside for years . You don’t just go on a mission like this with a group of strangers. You haven’t even sparred with them. You don’t know their formations or how they function within the unit.”
“I sparred one.” Saoirse made a face. She hadn’t approved of that, either. His sister was certain Selina had been baiting him, holding herself back to make him perceive her as less of a threat. But he’d already figured that much out on his own.
“It’ll be fine.”
“Withdraw.”
“No.”
“Rion, you can’t seriously be considering this. It’s unethical and unheard of. I don’t know what’s going through Alec’s head, but—”
“The citizens are rallying against him because of me.”
“That's no—”
“It is,” he leveled her with a stare. “And threatening him is the same as threatening you.” Which he most certainly wouldn’t tolerate. “They plan to use this mission not only to eliminate the rising faction but to prove my loyalty to the High Lord.”
“You don’t need to prove anything.”
“Don’t I? The world perceives me as a monster. Perhaps painting a different picture will change a few things.”
She went silent and placed a finger on her bishop, rocking the piece back and forth before saying, “I never should have let you take the blame.” He didn’t respond. They’d had this conversation a million times. He never budged on the matter.
“I’ve been thinking—”
“No.”
“You didn’t even let me finish. It’s not right for everyone to keep blaming you for something you didn’t do.”
“It wouldn’t change anything and you know it.”
“It might.”
“Saoirse,” he sighed. “Their opinions of me won’t change no matter what you say. There’s no point in dragging your name down, too. They’ll probably just think you’re trying to protect me anyway.”
“Alec would know the truth. The council would know the truth. Then maybe you could join in on the meetings and—”
She stopped talking when he shook his head. “The only thing the truth will accomplish is tainting your reputation. You might even lose your position at Alec’s side. If you lose their trust, then any move you make in the future will be met with doubt. Alec might even be forced to imprison you and have you tried.”
She shrugged. “He wouldn’t let it escalate that far. Besides, I’ve sat in a cell before. It’s not that bad.”
His voice turned icy. “I’d tear the whole damn palace apart before you spent ten minutes in a cell.”
“It’s not—”
“I couldn’t handle it,” Rion finished. “Besides, you still have to find our mother.”
Saoirse looked away at that and finally sighed. “Fine, after Mom, then. When I bring her home, will you finally let me tell Alec the truth?”
Rion stared at his sister and the silver lining her eyes. His mouth had gone dry all over again. “Do you think she’ll—”
“She won’t think anything of it. You’re her son.” A smile spread across Saoirse’s face. “And arguably her favorite.”
Rion smirked at that. “I was just a kid.”
“A very cute kid that she hid away from all the cruel things in life.”
“It always irked Father.” His smile faded. “Do you think she knew?”
Saoirse finally moved a piece on the board. “It’s hard to say.”
Silence again.
“I miss her,” Rion admitted.
“Me, too.”
Rion moved his piece and the siblings played in silence for a time. Saoirse had entered the room dressed for a mission. He didn’t know how long they had.
“I could request to go with you,” she said.
“Ever the overprotective sister.”
“That’s a little hypocritical coming from you.”
Rion moved his rook, capturing her bishop. “I wouldn’t dream of pulling you away from your friends. I’ve heard how excited you are.”
A guilty smile. “Have I been too loud?”
“Only on the nights you stumble back drunk.”
“I don’t get that drunk,” she challenged.
Rion looked up from the board. “I literally heard you tell your closest friend that if he wasn’t a male—”
She threw up her hands. “All right, all right, I was drunk.” She grimaced. “And I did not intend for you to hear that.”
“The entire palace heard it.”
Color tinted her cheeks. “Well, at least I keep things interesting around here. If it were up to Alec, the entire place would be a cheery as a graveyard.”
Rion chuckled. “He should get out more.” And he meant it.
Saoirse’s smile faltered. “I can’t even remember the last time I heard him laugh.” She claimed his rook.
“The lake house,” Rion said. “With Mother. He was swimming and we were jumping from the rope swing.”
“You almost didn’t let go.”
“Mother was furious the two of you talked me into it.”
A smile graced her features. “I remember.” She moved another piece, forcing Rion’s king into submission. He made a face. He hated losing. “When I come back, I’m forcing him to take a holiday. He’s never going to meet a female locked in that throne room all day.”
“Gods help the female that has to deal with him.”
Saoirse kicked Rion under the table. “Gods help the female that has to deal with you .” He playfully kicked her back before resetting the board.
“You can still decline, you know. There’s no rule that—”
“I’m going,” he interrupted. “If there’s someone hell-bent against Alec, then you’re on their list, too.”
“You don’t have to protect me. I am the older sibling.”
Rion shrugged. “You’ve always done it for me.”
Her voice lowered. “It was a promise to our mother.”
Rion lips parted. “You’ve never told me that.”
“It never came up. I would have protected you anyway, you’re my little brother. You and Alec mean more to me than anyone else in this world.”
“Now you’re getting sentimental.”
She puffed out a breath and glanced at the clock. “I’m allowed to get sentimental when I won’t see my little brother for a few months.”
“Afraid you won’t be able to find a good enough chess partner?”
“That’s bold coming from someone who just lost.”
“Only to you.” Her smile faded, so Rion added, “I can handle myself. It’ll be fine.”
She stood, still staring at the game board longingly. Too much time had passed and he hadn’t even asked her about her upcoming mission.
“Just watch your back. And her,” Saoirse warned.
“I’ve traveled with groups before. I know how to be cautious.”
“Good. See you soon.”
With a final embrace, Rion watched Saoirse walk out the door, then sat back down to stare at the game set.
He wouldn’t fall prey to Selina. He’d beat her at her own game just like he’d beat Saoirse the next time they saw one another.