Chapter 9
Dylan
After carrying Ledr Bronwen’s granddaughter, whose name I’d learnt was Non, to bed, Caerwyn and I nursed a large drink each as we sat in silence. We’d commandeered a private study-come-library a few doors from Bronwen’s own study.
We’d sat like this for some time, and I could see the old man didn’t look up to talking. But there was way too much new information we needed to discuss.
I cleared my throat; instantly, Caerwyn shot me a don’t you dare glare.
“Look, I’m not trying to get involved in your family drama.” Caerwyn didn’t reply; he just let out a noise akin to a snarl. “But what we just witnessed in that room changes everything.”
He downed the contents of his glass before standing to pour himself another from the bar cart. “I’m not sure if I’m furious at Bron for keeping her existence a secret all these years or grateful. Who knows what would have happened if Gwaun had found her?”
I shuddered at the thought. Caerwyn didn’t explicitly say it, but we were both thinking the same thing. She would have ended up like the countless others had, a rotting corpse drained of life.
“What she did in there… That power. Do you think—”
Caerwyn began shaking his head frantically; he eyed the door before dropping his voice. “Watch what you say within the walls of this castle, boy. I would like to think my sister-in-law isn’t as despicable as she seems, but let’s not risk it.”
I leaned forward, resting my elbows against my knees as I finished the last of the amber liquid in my glass.
“What Non just did to Seren… It proves our suspicions. He might not hold the power he claims.”
“She needs to be able to do far more than make someone disappear if we are to believe she is the one who holds such power.”
Caerwyn lifted the bottle of liquor from the bar, abandoning his glass to drink straight from the bottle.
“I think I have a theory as to why her power isn’t at its full potential, shall we say.”
Caerwyn took another long pull from the bottle. “You noticed it too, then?”
I nodded, but before I could go on, a soft knock sounded at the door as it opened silently. Zenn stepped in on silent feet, giving the two of us a curt nod.
Plucking another bottle to take with him, Caerwyn stood and made his way to the study door.
“I’ll be back at the encampment if you need me.” The door clicked shut behind him.
Zenn looked at me, clearly perplexed as to why Caerwyn, who was usually the definition of calm, seemed to be so riled.
I relayed the events of the last few hours, and Zenn’s face showed no reaction whatsoever. It wasn’t until I’d finished explaining every detail that he finally spoke.
“You look like you need another drink.”
He filled my extended cup up with a clear liquid; I didn’t even let it touch the sides as I drained the glass.
“There was something so familiar about her Zenn. I have no recollection of having ever met her, even before I was adopted. But we must have crossed paths. I just can’t seem to put my finger on when or how.”
Zenn took a sip from his glass. “I’ll have my spies try to uncover all that we can about her, that might inspire a memory of where you’ve met her before.”
What I really wanted to tell Zenn was that I was convinced I’d heard Non’s voice before, not that we’d met. Something deep inside me seemed to ease when I heard her speak, even if she had been threatening Seren’s life back in the study.
“Doubt they’ll find much. From the little Bron shared with us, it seems she hid her well. Doesn’t look like there’s much to uncover.”
A wave of determination passed over Zenn’s expression. He cherished his spies, had spent years training them. I had no doubt that if there was more information to discover about Non, he would find it.
“What happens now? We devise a plan to hand her over to Gwaun, then you’re a free man?”
Unease seized my chest as Zenn spoke so plainly. I’d wanted nothing more than to be free of the blood bargain for years. The things I had done in hopes it would be the key to freedom were abhorrent—handing over a girl I hardly knew shouldn’t have made me think twice.
As I stewed on the moral predicament in front of me, another thought came to mind. I sat upright in my seat.
“I’ve just had an insane thought.” I moved to pour myself another glass, emptying it immediately. “As your Ail, I’m pulling rank and demanding you hear me out.”
Zenn set his drink down on the oak table between us. He laced his fingers together, waiting to hear what I had to say.
I let out a long, steady breath. “What if the call we felt the other night wasn’t Gwaun? What if someone else had been able to call to our power like that?”
He was quiet for a moment as my words turned over in his head. When Zenn spoke again, his voice was hesitant. “If that were the case, I think we’d need to think long and hard before we handed Non over to her father.”
I rested my head back against the wall. My mind was a conflicted storm, and I had a feeling it wouldn’t be clear anytime soon.
“Zenn?” I croaked; the burn of the alcohol had made my voice hoarse.
“Yeah, buddy?”
“I think I need to speak with my cousin.”