Chapter 28 Ryder
RYDER
“You knew her.” I watched Audryn, who was still staring at the cloth-covered window as we made our way to the castle. She’d been quiet, which wasn’t surprising given the circumstances. But I couldn’t let the matter go.
“Yes.” Her voice was nearly a whisper.
“She’s with the resistance.” I kept my gaze on her unflinching body, daring her to lie. “And so was your brother.”
“Yes.”
Her easy admission caught me by surprise. While not a death sentence, affiliation to the organization—if you even wanted to call it that—would place you on a watch list kept by the Rivale Guard. I’d not even thought to check it.
“Are you part of the resistance?” I asked, unsure what I’d do if she claimed membership.
The guards had recognized the house and provided Kamden’s name, but they hadn’t mentioned Audryn’s affiliation.
Her brother’s offense, and all information pertaining to it, was kept confidential from most, but I’d intended to access it the moment we returned to the castle.
She turned and looked at me, her hazel pools sad and watery. “I’m not. My brother made choices I’ll never agree with. His ties ruined our family.”
My heart sank. I wanted to believe she was telling the truth, but I’d need to see the proof before I let myself open back up to her. Words were not enough for me to blindly believe, especially since she’d already so blatantly fooled me.
“Tell me what you know of my brother?” She looked down and fidgeted with her hands.
I shook my head. “That information isn’t given to the public, it—”
“Am I only a member of the public to you?” Audryn’s words bit into me. “Am I no different to you than a stranger walking down the street?”
My head tilted as I considered. Our connection was there even before I went to Elowen.
Before I’d sunk myself deep inside of her, there’d been moments between us that I hadn’t quite felt with the two other women—or others I’d fucked.
Maybe the land sent her to me, and she was my mated all along.
Perhaps the bond would have clicked into place without interference if its natural form wasn’t ruined; I’d never know.
“With this new information, I—” I drew in a deep breath and stumbled over my words—something that rarely happened.
“You didn’t tell me about your brother, and you should have.
” I attempted to hide the hurt in my voice and regain my proverbial footing.
“I shouldn’t have had to hear it from a guard.
Which makes me wonder what else you’ve been dishonest about. ”
Audryn sniffed as she lifted her chin and faced the blood-spattered flowing cloth blocking her view from the outside world.
She hadn’t denied the association, nor had she denied omitting the truth of who her family was.
She might’ve been a liar, but when caught, she at least owned up to her transgressions.
I pushed open the curtain in time to see the waves of flowers come into view as we ascended the winding path to the castle. “Will you be okay?” I was angry, but still worried about her. “With killing someone you know … do you need anything?”
“No—I’m fine. Jezelle was trying to kill you, and I didn’t even know it was her until—” She blew out a breath. “I can’t explain it. I feel awful for hurting someone, but at the same time, I know it was the right thing to do. I would’ve done whatever was necessary to keep you safe.”
Warmth poured into me with her admission.
It hadn’t been a mistake or a desperate move to save herself—she’d intentionally chosen to save me.
Perhaps I needed to save Audryn too. Her brother might’ve made poor decisions, but if she were speaking the truth, the consequences of Kamden’s choices should’ve died with him instead of following her around.
I needed to meet with Captain Vexley to see what was known about her family.
“Tell me about your family, about your brother.” I’d gather what information she willingly relinquished and cross-reference it with whatever Vexley knew.
“I don’t like to talk about my brother.” Audryn continued, “I love him and miss him terribly. But his decisions don’t represent who I am. Regardless of what happens between you and me, I don’t support his actions or those of the resistance.”
The door on my right popped open, exposing Hunt and Fisher standing nearby.
Fisher looked somber, while Hunt had a stupid grin on his face.
I drew in a breath before exiting and turned to help Audryn from the carriage.
The blood from the floorboard had crept up her mossy dress, the bottom of her skirts appearing heavy and stiff.
“Be sure to send her dress out to be laundered,” I ordered her guard, “and take care of anything else she may need.” I turned to Hunt and demanded, “Get Vexley to the royal common room.”
If I could confirm Audryn wasn’t allied with the resistance, things might be okay. If she was listed only because of her family name, then things could return to what they were. Otherwise, I’d be forced to make a tough decision.
“Get cleaned up,” I suggested. “There’s a formal dinner tomorrow, and you need to recover from today’s ordeal. I’ll have dinner sent to your room.”
My feelings for Audryn wavered between adoration and agitation; it was something I was becoming all too familiar with. The swinging pendulum was constantly moving from one extreme to the next, never stopping in the middle. Audryn’s actions led me to believe she too was suffering the same fate.
The tapestries sailed by as I hurried to my room to change.
I’d need a quick rinse before I met with the captain.
Though it was honorable to wear the blood of an enemy, I hadn’t been the one to kill her.
My heart soared with pride—Audryn had cared enough for me to take the life of another.
Was there a limit to what she might do for me?
Or was it possible she’d do whatever was necessary of her, even despite her own needs?
Fifteen minutes later, I was dressed and accessing my father’s study to find the book I needed. If I were going to consider looking past the shame of her family name, I had to know exactly what I was up against. I wouldn’t blindly court a woman without knowing her or her family’s past.
Pushing the door open, I scanned the room, considering the years I’d sat inside with my father.
Admonishments were doled out for not conducting myself in the correct manner.
Lashings, both physical and mental, were beaten into me repeatedly in that room.
I'd both grown up and been cut down in that room.
The stale air from the books on the shelf reminded me of the cruel memories each time I walked through the door.
It was the reason I avoided the library and always requested tomes be brought to me instead of going to them.
Even walking the corridor leading to the study made my heart race and caused sweat to drip from my brow.
I took a seat at my father’s desk and rummaged through the small stack of books on the right.
My hands worked diligently, looking for the one I needed.
With the increase in executions in the last twenty years, we had filled books at an alarming rate.
Though I’d attended every execution since the age of ten, I could never have kept track of each one.
I pulled open the top drawer and found what I needed: Rivale Records of Execution.
I flipped to the first page to ensure the year was correct and then eyed the last entry.
They’d stopped over eighteen months ago when my father declared a stay.
He hadn’t given a reason to the public, but rumors suggested it was because of his failing health, and they were right.
Seeing my father in such a fragile state was when it truly hit me; he was dying.
The realization forced me to begin a serious search for my mate.
Ironically, she’d likely been close by, watching her brother die in the public square for all to see.
Though my father didn't perform the executions himself, he had ordered her brother's death, which made me wonder if she hated him just as much as I did.
Knuckles rapped on the door, interrupting my thoughts. “Come in,” I called out.
“Your Highness.” A female guard poked her head in and advised, “Captain Vexley has arrived and is waiting.”
Standing, I slid the book under my arm. I would look at it more closely later.
Vexley stood as I walked into the room. “Your Highness.” He dipped his chin, appearing nervous, which was completely out of character for the fear-inspiring male.
“Thank you for coming.” I took my seat and poured wine into the glass in front of me. “I know it was short notice.”
Vexley shifted on his chair.
“I have a matter to discuss with you—”
“The attack today, sir. We didn’t have intel leading us to expect there’d be an ambush,” he continued. “If we had, I would’ve provided the information immediately—given it to you before you went into the center of the capital.”
“I actually want to speak about a different matter. It’s one that needs to remain between the two of us.
” I looked to him for confirmation. And when he dipped his scruffy chin in acknowledgment, I continued.
“Audryn Clair is the woman I intend to marry. However.” I paused and drained the glass before continuing.
“Her brother was executed. He was a member of the resistance.”
Vexley’s brows knitted together as he took in the information. He looked just as bothered by the news as I was.
“I need to know if she’s in the book, whether associated or active.” I filled my glass and drew in a deep breath. “You will never speak of this again, and we must resolve the situation swiftly, whatever the result.”
“I understand.” Vexley opened the book he almost always kept on hand. I sat nervously as he thumbed through it, landing toward the front, where names were listed in alphabetical order.
My heart raced as his finger ran down the page before he turned the sheet.
He repeated the move several times before he landed on a spot straight in the middle of the paper.
His fingers lingered as he read what was laid out in front of him.
Waiting with bated breath, I watched his eyes track across the page several times.
“There are four names listed here.” Vexley looked up at me, then back down at the book. “Kamden Clair, Kenelm Clair, Emalia Clair, and Audryn Clair.”
“Kamden is her brother, Kenelm her father, and Emalia must be her mother—though Audryn hasn’t told me anything about her,” I pondered aloud. Why hadn’t I pushed her for more information about her family? I hadn’t even considered Maris and Allura’s past beyond what they’d shared.
“Kenelm was cleared of suspicion. It’s noted he was injured trying to stop Kamden’s execution, beaten and sustained broken bones in his left leg and hip. Your father ordered him to recover without the use of magic. And we’ve monitored him, but deemed him neutral.”
“Continue.” I dipped my chin and waited.
“Emalia was found dead at her residence six months after her son’s execution. She was never suspected of any connection to the resistance.” Vexley finished.
“What were the circumstances of her death?”
He shook his head, and pursed his lips. “We don’t have that. Only states the family buried the body in an unknown location.”
“I don’t need the information on Kamden, I have access to it.” I patted the book in front of me. “What about Audryn?”
I held my breath as his eyes ran over the paper once more. What he was about to say would tell me which turn my life would take.
“She’s listed as neutral, though it does state …” He chewed on his bottom lip. “She’s been very hostile with the Rivale Guard. We have multiple contentious interactions noted.”
I chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
“What would you like me to do?” Vexley focused his eyes on the book. “Would you like me to—”
“Yes,” I interrupted. “Destroy all evidence of the Clair name. I don’t want even a single record with her family’s name listed.
Not as associates, neutral parties, or executed parties.
Not in strategic plans, missives, or even on the lips of the guards—the Clair name never crossed the desk of the Guard.
I will deal with the records of execution. ”
“Yes, sir. I will see to it personally that all documents are obliterated.” His eyes met mine. “Unless you would like to see them first?”
I shook my head. “I’ve heard all I’ve needed. Burn them. And not a word from you to anyone, not even my father. If you must share any information about the Clairs, it will be only with me and in private.”
“Understood.” Vexley stood. “Anything else?”
“No—not from you. You’re free to go.” I stood. “Vexley?”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Your continued loyalty to my family is appreciated.” I’d need to give him an increase in pay, or maybe send a basket of fruits and chocolates to his wife.
I moved to the corridor and found the female guard stationed outside the door. “Have Fisher retrieve Audryn and bring her to my personal rooms.”