52. Bria
Bria
T he air outside the castle is warm and wet.
The salt from the sea fills my lungs as I suck in a deep breath.
The Feral Sea lies beyond Castle Eccleston, and I’m eager to see the water.
We grew up only a short walk from Saturnine Bay and the smell of the ocean brings back so many pleasant memories.
I’ve heard of the tumultuous seas beyond the castle.
No ships have dared to brave the treacherous waters in hundreds of years, making it the perfect spot for an impenetrable fortress.
We leave through a side entrance, and I notice now that he’s leading me toward the King’s Garden. It’s probably a lovely location for a stroll in the morning air, but I want to be by the sea.
“Commander Keating,” I begin, glancing at him to gauge his reaction to my request. “I can smell the ocean, and it reminds me of home. Would it be alright if we walked by the water?”
He’s taken aback by the honesty in my words.
He doesn’t trust me, that’s clear in the wary way he watches me.
But I need him to at least not view me as a threat.
Otherwise, he will only get in my way. And as much as I would love to toss him into the Feral Sea, I understand that would attract some unwanted attention.
He sucks his teeth, the curve of his mouth hinting at a smile. “Of course, my lady,” he purrs.
Luthais switches directions, following the paved path that curls around the back side of the castle. I keep my arm locked in his, though the closeness makes me antsy.
We walk in silence for a few moments, passing by other nobles out for a stroll.
No one here knows who I am. For all they know, I’m a visiting lady from some wealthy town they’ve never heard of and don’t care about.
After some time, I break the silence, completely convinced that this man could stay quiet for a millennium if not provoked.
“You spoke of my sister, said you accompanied her here.” I keep my eyes straight ahead as we pass row after row of windows along the castle walls. Decorative shrubs with thin, spiked leaves line the stone path and vibrant clusters of hyacinths sprout up throughout the manicured lawns.
Luthais clears his throat. “I did, my lady. It seems as if the two of you have come to similar conclusions about your future.” His voice is even, cool, and collected. This man is a skilled liar.
“We had word from the southern camp that your sister wanted to commit her life to Vaohr. Knowing of your gifts, she assumed she would also have them. And she wished to give them back, to pay back the god whom they were ripped from.”
Anger is welling up inside me, flames licking at my core with every lie he spews. Keep it in , Ev’s words echo in my mind.
“Nimai has always been one to do what’s expected of her. Even as a child, she never strayed from the right path,” I say, letting the truth of my words shine.
“But you strayed, did you not?” Luthais is questioning my time with the rebels, shifting the focus from my sister back to me. I may not have expected to be alone with him, but I was prepared for some line of questioning surrounding this topic.
“I did indeed,” I agree as we round the back of the castle.
The vast sea surfaces, stretching as far as the horizon.
It’s an exceptional view. The path opens before me and leads to a giant ledge overlooking the jagged cliffs.
I can see the white caps of the rolling waves in the distance.
I choose to continue talking, hoping that I can make myself more of a person to him and less a symbol of all he hates.
“But I didn’t think of it as straying. Not at the time at least,” I explain.
We near the edge, and I observe the beautifully crafted railing that keeps people from the raging sea below.
It’s made of delicate knots of iron, rolling like the waves.
Not much of a barrier, but enough to keep a drunken nobleman from accidentally falling to his death, I suppose.
And the sea below has a fervor to it. The water crashes fiercely against the edges of the cliffs, frothing and swirling as though it were a trapped animal trying to escape.
“Is that so?” he asks softly, and I feel again as if someone is pouring honey over my skin. It makes the hair on my neck stand up, goosebumps pebbling my arms. “Were you not brought up in the house of an earl? Did you not know the word of the Lord?”
Unwinding my arm from his, I reach out to touch the iron railing, biting back a scowl.
I can’t possibly throw him over. He has to be the same size as Quinn and solid muscle.
Plus, there are other people milling about who might notice the captain of the guard’s second in command going over the cliffs.
I purse my lips. I’m stuck with him for now.
Looking out over the sharp and uneven edges of the cliffs to the roiling water below, I see now why ships stopped trying to come in and out through the Feral Sea. It’s impassible here.
“To an extent,” I reply, running my hand along the smooth edge of the metal, cool beneath my heated fingers. His line of questioning is beginning to get to me, stoking the flames within. The chill of the iron on my hands helps to quell the energy, if just for a moment.
“My family was not very religious. We did not openly worship any gods,” I offer, turning to place my back against the cool iron. Keeping my words closer to the truth is easier for me, decreasing the chance I can be caught lying. It has never quite been my strong suit.
Luthais comes up next to me, propping his hip along the railing and crossing his arms to look at me.
“Well, I would think not.” His gray eyes are fixed on me. “An earl openly worshipping the old gods like the Keeper and his bastard daughters would not be a good look.”
His words are biting but he winks at me, a gesture so at odds with the man before me. He is a devout follower, and I am everything he hates. Luthais is testing my reactions because he doesn’t trust me. And the fact of the matter is, his instincts are spot on.
Keeping my expression neutral, I agree. “No, it would not. But as I said, I did not perceive my actions as straying from the righteous god.” I gaze up at the castle in front of me. It towers high, giant gray and sand-colored stones clustered together to create a magnificent palace.
“Being born with a gift, knowing there is something different about you…” I pause before letting more truth flow from my lips.
“It can be a bit terrifying at times. Especially in a world where those around you wish to cause you harm.” My voice is softer now and I hope he’s listening to me, that he will take the truth I’m using to manipulate him and let it ease his fears and distrust.
“I assure you, Lady Bria, I do not intend you any harm.” His stare sears through me, making the skin on my neck prickle.
I turn my head back to him, the wind off the sea whipping my long hair around my face.
“I understand that now, but can you blame me for following the rebels when I was younger? They promised a world of peace, where I could be myself and not be hunted for a gift I did not ask to receive.” I lower my lashes but keep my eyes on Luthais.
“But Evander showed me the truth of it. They only protected me so they could use me against Vaohr. They had no intentions of letting me live the life I wanted.”
His features ease. Those deep gray eyes become a bit lighter, and I realize now how strikingly handsome he is. Some sort of otherworldly beauty lies beneath the cold exterior that I cannot quite put my finger on.
“So, you left the rebels to pledge yourself to Vaohr because you would be serving a purpose?” he asks, his voice a bit softer now as well, the biting harshness of his tone disappearing.
“In a sense, I suppose I did.” I am a bit surprised at how easily those lies spill out of my mouth. And how this monster of a man seems to lap them up, like a dog from a bowl.
“Why would I choose to serve those who would use me for bloodshed when I could turn over my gifts to their rightful owner? When I could be blessed by Vaohr for admitting my mistakes?”
He quirks a brow at me. “You believe yourself unworthy of the gifts you’ve received even after years of honing them and making use of them in the rebel camp?”
Interesting. He knows I’ve been training.
Though perhaps he’s making assumptions considering I arrived in armor, or Evander may have relayed that information to them last night.
Either way, he’s pushing me, making sure my story has no holes.
Meaning I have to tread carefully around the lies, sprinkling in truth and weaving a web that will end in their destruction and not ours.
“Yes,” I reply, drumming my fingers along the iron railing. “I learned to use my gifts before I understood the consequences of using magic when it was not mine to use. When it was stolen.”
He swallows and I brace myself, waiting for whatever question he plans to ask next.
“And what of your connection to this...prophecy? That tells how all of Azudora will fall at your feet and those of your sister? That she is to rule the new world?”
I cast my eyes down toward my hands and spin the ring on my finger, watching as the light bounces off the black crystals and sends sparkles raining down upon the stone walkway.
“I’m sure you are aware, Commander Keating, that the prophecy you speak of also tells of my death.” I gaze up at him again through lowered lashes.
“I do not wish to die, selfish as that may seem. And if I’m in the hands of Vaohr, no one will hurt me. No one will kill me if I’m turned over to help the righteous god. Will they?” I ask, letting a note of pleading seep into my voice.
Luthais reaches his hand out to me, pushing a strand of hair out of my face. He grasps my chin between his thumb and pointer finger, tipping my face up to look at him fully.