18. Diar
Diar
Heavy snow fell over the city of Tsuyan, covering the white city in a fresh layer of frost.
Intense winds whipped from the heavens, pelting my face with sleet.
Snowstorms had brewed over my home countless times before, but this one seemed different. More severe. The howling winds sounded like a yearning cry.
Golden threads bound my wrists, connecting me to my Solheart captor. His black cloak billowed around him as we entered the gates and stepped into the chaos.
Quinn stopped as a unit of soldiers marched by. Shatterblades walked in perfect formation, not one man out of step. Their dark blue robes—the same I wore—were tucked beneath black leather armor bound together with silver twine.
I watched them pass with an aching heart. My brother would have marched with them, in another life. I yearned to follow, to aid in the defense of our home.
Once Quinn returned me to my father, I would never again be allowed to leave the manor. Useless, unable to do anything but watch the city burn.
As I had five years ago.
Life held little point, locked in a room with nothing and no one to live for.
"Solathair's ass," Quinn cursed. "And I thought Solais' storm was bad."
Solais—did he speak of Cleiv Solais, the golden rapier wielded by Paragon Tiernan?
If our Paragon, Ishii, was dead . . . if Siotha had been returned to its ancestral home . . .
This snowstorm was a mirror of the thunderstorm I'd seen rage above Kentoro when Cierthine had called for its new wielder—and chosen.
"You were there?" I called over the wind. "When Cleiv Solais chose Paragon Tiernan?"
"I sure was." Quinn grinned at me. "Have you ever seen a firestorm rage in the middle of Forlaith's most crowded square?" He laughed. "They all shit themselves."
I tried to imagine it. Forlaith, home of the Solhearts. But imagination had never been my strong suit.
The last line of Shatterblades passed. Quinn tugged the radiant cord, dragging me north. I yanked my bound wrists back, pulling him off balance.
He shot me an amused grin.
Heavy mounds of snow covered the roofs and piled up on the road. I could barely see the stone streets beneath the layers of ice.
"You met Paragon Tiernan?" I asked. "Does he know?"
"Know what?" He glanced back.
"That you helped murder the Emperor."
"Still on about that?" He stopped, leaning closer. "Nobody but you seems to think Solhearts were even there—save for the Brightspears that died at the Emperor's side."
I glowered at him. Perhaps I could escape if we found ourselves alone on a quiet street.
Turning on his heel, the Solheart marched away, dragging me along with him. I held my breath, listening to the bells tolling above the blustering wind.
Father had mobilized every man in the city to defend the southern forts.
Would they reach them in time?
Luck arrived; Quinn turned down a thin, dark alley between towering stone buildings. He moved to speak, but I didn't let him.
Even bound, I could still use magic.
I locked eyes with my sword, sheathed at the Solheart's belt. Frozen wind whirled around me. Twisting my wrist against the bonds, I grabbed a dagger of ice from the snowstorm and tackled Quinn.
His back struck stone, and a blade of jagged ice slammed against his neck. His yellow, cat-like eyes widened in alarm, before that irritating, amused smile appeared on his lips again.
"Tell me the damned truth," I hissed.
"I have," he said. "I didn't kill your Emperor. But you're right—Solhearts did."
"And they tried to murder Aenir's king, too. Why?" I paused, studying Quinn's fine black coat and doublet. Was he a noble?
Father would never believe me. I'd hardly get the chance to speak before he tossed me in my room and threw away the key.
But he would heed a Solheart whose name meant something.
"What are you here for?" I dug the knife deeper. A faint line of red appeared on his bronze neck. "Besides returning me?"
"A Paragon is dead," Quinn said. "I'm here to oversee Siotha's transition."
"Then you're important?"
His mouth twitched. "That's not what I expected you to ask."
"Answer the question."
"Yes, I'm important. Are you trying to stroke my ego?"
I leaned closer. "Tell my father the truth of what happened that day. Tell him Solhearts murdered the Emperor."
"Oh," Quinn breathed. "You don't care if vengeance comes by your own hand, do you? You just want someone to kill your assassin." He leaned away from my knife. "Of course I'll tell the general. The assassins have struck again, haven't they?"
"Good." I lessened my press of the knife, "Though I'm still tempted to kill you."
"And here I thought we were just starting to get along."
Something sharp brushed my side. A dagger. Quinn held it loosely at his side, a lazy smile stretched across his lips.
"Aren't we quite the pair?" He said. "Why don't you step back first?"
Scowling, I retreated, leaving my knife at his throat as long as possible. He didn't strike, though. Once my blade was gone, he lowered his, too.
"Now that we have an accord . . . " He grabbed the cord binding my wrists and raked his knife through it. The rope dissipated into tiny motes of light. "Here's some dignity back."
Exhaling, I rubbed my wrists.
If I were a smart woman, I'd turn and run.
But I followed straight lines when one presented itself, and Quinn had given me a route to my goal.
"Shall we?" Quinn offered me his arm, and I pointedly ignored it. Shrugging, he kept walking.
I jogged to keep up with his long stride. "Who will Siotha pick?"
"Who knows?" Quinn shrugged. "Probably a Shatterblade. Most men in the history books served a few years in Tsuyan."
We left the alley behind and stopped in a broad street. He gazed up into the swirling snow.
"Solathair willing," Quinn breathed. "It'll hold its judgment for a little bit longer."
"Why?" I asked. "Do you not like Shatterblades?"
Quinn kept walking, refusing to answer.
Taking a deep breath, I repressed the urge to throttle him. Soon enough, he'd be out of my hair.
Our house guard stood at attention when a Solheart approached with the lord's daughter. Planting their spears into the ground, they knelt, inviting Quinn to enter.
The world seemed to freeze when I took my first step through the gates, onto the stone path leading to the white manor.
I should turn and run.
This would be my last chance to escape. To be free.
I didn't. For the first time in five years, my father might actually listen to me.
A butler rushed to the door and pulled it open for Quinn. The Solheart paused on the threshold, beckoning me to go first.
Blinking, I rubbed the snow and ice from my eyes. Two stairwells swept up and around the foyer, meeting at a central balcony overlooking the room.
Father stood up there, dressed in his Shatterblade armor, dark hair tied away from his face. His hands tightened around the railing when he saw us.
"My apologies, General Yuudai." Quinn dipped his head. "For the sudden intrusion."
Father's back straightened, and he hurried down the stairs to stand before us. He hardly glanced at me before falling to his knees before the Solheart.
"No need for apologies, lord . . .?"
"Seradh. Glenn Seradh," Quinn said.
I looked up sharply at him. He ignored my gaze.
Who the hell was Glenn?
My teeth ground. I knew this damn rogue was one of them: the assassins who'd killed the Emperor.
Quinn, or 'Glenn,' beckoned for Father to rise. "Siotha has come home. You must have heard the news about Paragon Ishii."
"Yes." Father stood. "We've begun arrangements to pass the bow on."
"Already?" Quinn furrowed his brow. "Does not tradition state the old Paragon must be properly buried before a new wielder may be chosen?'
"Unfortunately, we don't have the time for traditions."
"Nonsense. In times like these, tradition matters most of all. Let it slip away now, and it will be gone forever." Quinn lowered his voice. "A funeral is but a day. A day that will not save the forest if the trees are meant to fall."
Tradition was Father's favorite thing, just behind telling me I was a disappointment.
Quinn was playing him. Father folded like a piece of parchment.
"You're right, Lord Seradh." Father nodded. "I will send word to postpone the inheritance." His gaze finally turned to me.
His deep blue eyes scrutinized me. Lines on his face, formed from years of scowling, creased deeper.
"Ah." Quinn smiled at me. "I ran into your daughter—" He paused. "Runaway daughter, I presume—during my journey. I figured I ought to bring her home."
"Yes." Father's voice had a harsh edge. "You have my thanks."
He was going to destroy me later.
"I will see to her from here. She isn't worth your time." Father gestured to the butler who'd been hiding in the shadow of the door.
I glared at Quinn, waiting for him to bring up the Solheart assassins. The butler grabbed my arm, leading me toward the stairs.
The Solheart rogue offered me a faint smile and remained silent.
"Father," I called. "Solheart assassins tried to kill the Aenir king a few days back. The same ones who killed the Emperor—and Akemi."
Father glowered at me.
"Ask him—he was there." I nodded at Quinn.
He turned back to my father. "She has an active imagination. Assassins did strike at Aenir's king, but we didn't get a good look at them."
Of course, Quinn's promise had been a lie. Why had I trusted him to tell the truth?
I yanked my arm from the butler's hold. "You snake."
"Diar!" Father snapped, mortified that I would dare insult a Solheart. "Take her to her room."
"Oh, no need," Quinn interjected. "I quite enjoyed her company. If she needs watching, I'd be more than happy to guard her. After all, I have nothing to do until it's time to choose Siotha's new master."
I'd been planning to throw myself at the Solheart and strangle him, but I paused.
Why did he want to remain with me? What in the endless sea was this man planning?
"I—" Father hesitated, stupefied by Quinn's claim. "Of course, my lord. If that is your wish."
"It is." Quinn flicked his hand, ordering the butler away. He stood before me, gazing down with a curious light in his eye.
I'd never been able to read people. I had no idea what he was thinking.
But this man was no lord. He lied with every second breath.
And I suspected he had no intention of passing Siotha on peacefully.
Biting my tongue, I ground my jaw, forcing myself to keep silent.
"Well then," Quinn said with a smile. "Where shall be your new prison?"