Chapter 28
The cliff surrounding Silas’s house is silent, with the exception of the crashing waves below.
We land, hand in hand, facing the flickering lanterns on the shadowy porch.
Silas takes a moment to catch his breath and admire his house before us.
I’ll never get over the quaint, deceptive facade of this house, and I make a mental note to burn this image in my mind.
I’ll never tire of its small beauty. The front door opens, and Warrick steps out of the shadows.
Even in the darkness of night, his light hair shines, and an unmistakable Lumor aura floats around him.
His tall figure looms larger as he approaches, and his footsteps are almost silent in the late-night air. His expression is typically stern, but it softens when he sees Silas, because he knows. He knows that he now looks upon someone different. His friend, his commander, his new king.
“Larkin told us what happened.” Warrick’s voice remains steady and calm. “I’m really sorry, Briar.”
“Thank you,” I say, as I force a smile.
“Let me know what I can do to help,” he smiles. “I’m here for you.”
Warrick’s eyes shift to Silas.
“And for you.”
Silas stands tall, our hands still intertwined, waiting for the words to leave Warrick’s lips regarding the new status of the kingdom. Warrick starts to bow, and Silas extends his hand, his palm pushing against his leaning shoulder, halting him.
“Please,” Silas says. “Don’t.”
Warrick stands upright from the push. “All right. No bowing, then. But my Gods, I never thought I’d live to see the day. Silas Nastronde, King of Andorwood.”
“Things are going to change.” Silas slaps Warrick’s shoulder with a smile. “But, we have much to do before that happens.”
Warrick’s smile fades, and he glances over his shoulder toward the house in the distance. I look around him, half expecting someone to be standing there, but only darkness greets my stare.
Warrick moves away from the contact and says, “You need to know something, Silas.”
“Can it please wait?” Silas asks, defeated.
Warrick shakes his head and glances toward me. I make a pained face, and nod for him to keep going.
“Hux is gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?” Silas questions.
“No one can find him.” Warrick lowers his head. “We think he left.”
My stomach drops.
“With Malachi.”
Silas runs his hands through his hair and pauses to massage his temples. “Find out. Immediately.” He shoots a look in my direction, and I immediately look at the ground.
“I told you,” I say, privately.
“Absolutely the wrong time for gloating,” he snaps.
“Where is Fen?” Silas demands, speaking to Warrick.
Warrick almost recoils and tosses a look over his shoulder toward the house. “In there, waiting on you.”
Silas nods.
“She’s pretty shaken up.” Warrick fidgets.
I hadn’t even considered Fen and her reaction to everything.
Not only has Silas’s world just changed, but so has Fen’s.
Silas had months to come to terms with everything outside of his father’s truth, while she had been thrown into turmoil in a matter of minutes.
I can’t imagine how she’s feeling. She needs her brother right now.
“Are you alright?” Silas asks Warrick.
He sighs, and his lips form a thin line. “She’s a tether? Like you?”
Silas responds, “Yes.”
“She’s linked to someone else, whether she accepts it or not, for the rest of her life?” Warrick glances back at the house, as if he can see her.
“She is,” I answer, giving Silas a break.
“What if she doesn’t want this? What if I don’t want this?” he asks, and I can’t help but notice the pain in his voice.
I shake my head. “I’m not sure, Warrick, but it doesn’t always mean what you think. Fen can be a tether without having any romantic feelings. It doesn’t have to be like ours.”
Warrick stares at me. “And you know this for a fact?”
I don’t respond.
He shifts his gaze back to Silas. “Could you do what you do for Briar and not feel anything more?”
Silas winces. "No…" He pauses before adding, “I don’t think so.”
His hand tightens around mine.
“That’s what I thought.” Warrick shakes his head. “I’m going to do what you’ve asked of me, Silas. I’ll return by mid-morning.”
“Warrick.” Silas tries to stop him. “We can figure out another plan if you need a moment.”
“You are my king now. I will obey your orders, Your Majesty. It’s my job.”
“This isn’t about work right now, Warrick,” Silas says.
Warrick shrugs.
“Come on,” I say, also attempting to stop him. “Just take some time, please.”
His gaze finds mine, and such sadness sits behind his dark eyes—as if the devastation is trying to break free.
“Just take a second,” I repeat.
“I will,” Warrick says. “Alone.”
Warrick shifts, a trail of light following him as he heads toward the castle to attend to Yara.
The thought of her pains me, and I fear I’ll never get over the events that transpired tonight.
The image of her slitting her own throat plays over and over in my mind, and I wish I could erase it from my memories.
I feel broken and defeated, but I know the others need me right now.
I can’t crumble just yet, even though I feel seconds from bubbling over.
Her family will know of her bravery, and they will make sure she is laid to rest. It’s only fair they get to say their goodbyes. My stomach drops, thinking of Warrick having to tell them. A mother getting a house call like that makes me want to spill my guts on the ground.
Silas squeezes my hand, realizing I’m lost in the shadows of my mind, and plants a kiss on the top of my head.
“She won’t be forgotten,” Silas whispers. “And he will be okay. Warrick’s the strongest man I’ve ever met.”
I nod. “I know.”
He gazes toward the house, and I know the shadows of his own mind start to haunt him.
“Will you speak to Fen with me?” Silas asks.
I glance up at him. “Don’t you think it would be better to talk to her privately? I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“I want you there. She respects you. Also, she will have questions, and you can help me answer them. I want her to have as much information as she can handle."
“Then, let’s go.”
Silas smiles softly, and we walk toward the house.
When we enter the small upstairs area, the house is silent. I can only imagine what time the others went to sleep, and I’m grateful they are getting rest. Exhaustion hangs over my body, and I, too, am desperate for sleep. We all need it right now, but that can wait—it always does.
The stairs creak under our weight as we descend into the darkness below, into the heart of the house.
The sound of crackling fire hits my ears, followed by its warmth, and I almost groan from the safety this house always seems to offer.
The living area opens up, and I scan the room looking for signs of Fenmore.
A muffled cry sounds from the sitting area, and I look up at Silas, who spots her first.
Fen sits in the large antique chair, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs—as if she’s trying to cave in on herself.
Her face is buried in her knees, and I can hear faint sniffles coming from her.
I glance to the left, where Larkin is sleeping in a chair near the hallway.
His broad chest rises and falls peacefully, but his positioning looks miserable.
His large body barely fits in the chair, but I can’t help but feel thankful he stayed by her side.
As our presence makes itself known, she slowly lifts her head in our direction.
She stands from the chair and runs toward us. Tears stream down her cheeks like fresh rain, and her eyes are swollen. She wraps her arms around both of us and squeezes tightly. Silas returns the embrace, encircling us, and I feel a sense of relief wash over us all.
Silas pulls away from the embrace and ushers Fen back to her chair to take a seat. I move toward Larkin and gently pat his shoulder. The touch startles him, and he jolts awake.
“Shit,” Larkin yelps.
“Go to bed,” I whisper. “We’re going to talk to Fen.”
Larkin looks around the room, spotting Silas, and gives me a sleepy nod. His gaze settles on Fen. He stays fixated on her, as if he can’t trust that she’s okay.
“Did Warrick already leave?” Larkin whispers.
“Yes.” I lean closer, not wanting to draw attention to us. “He’s going to…” I pause.
“You don’t have to say it, I know where he went.”
He looks back at Fenmore. “I didn’t know what to say to help.”
“Sometimes you can’t help.”
He nods.
“She’s going to be alright." I pat his shoulder and smile. “Now, go.”
His expression softens as he rubs his eyes. “Wake me if you need me. I’ll be down the hall.”
Larkin rises with a groan, his healing wound still tender, and shuffles down the long hallway, vanishing into the darkness.
I join Silas and Fen, sitting cross-legged on the floor around the warm fire, and pull a blanket around me.
The chill from the night seems to have settled in my bones.
Fen merely stares, her eyes darting between us, and as always, she clutches her necklace, using her finger to trace the smooth parts of the beautiful stone.
Silas starts, “First, what do you know?”
Fen slowly meets his stare. “I think everything?”
I stay quiet, giving them time to speak and work things out as siblings.
My chest aches thinking about Barlowe and how I wish we had more time to discuss things.
We were too stubborn and impatient. There are many things I regret about our relationship.
I think of Maines’s offer of a ritual for closure, but I quickly shake the temptation from my mind.
“Alright, I’ll go ahead and start,” Silas responds into the silence. “Everything went terribly wrong tonight, Fen. Malachi killed Yara.”
She nods, and tears well up in her eyes again. A pang of pain strikes my chest at the sound of her name.
“Warrick is at the castle now, cleaning everything up. We are going to make sure she is laid to rest by her family.”
Fen responds, “I know that much. Warrick talked to me about that.”