Chapter 67
Kiera
The rope around my waist felt too thin and fragile. Aiden expertly knotted it, his fingers brushing over my hips with soft yearning.
“See you on the other side,” I said breathlessly.
He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. His eyes were full of thoughts that I’d seen gathering the last two days, like water in a dam. “I’ll be right behind you.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve got you,” Ruru assured me from where he and Daire stood by the sturdy post that held our ropes.
I nodded shakily. Breathe in. Breathe out. And look to the other side.
Delysia and Everett waved to me from the palace steps.
“Why are you smiling?” Aiden asked close to my ear.
“That’s all I ever needed,” I said. “Someone who loves me waiting for me on the other side of the abyss.”
“And someone who loves you to cross it with you.”
My smile widened, and I gave him a quick peck on his stubbly cheek. Then I dropped to my hands and knees and crawled out over the waterfall, with Aiden close behind.
Bits of cold spray struck my face like the driving snow of Dagriel while Rellmira’s sun warmed my back.
The braided rope ladder swayed under our weight, pitching my stomach with it. But I gritted my teeth and kept crawling.
You’ve watched Daire and the others do this for days. It will hold you.
For once, I appreciated the unceasing roar of the waterfall. It grounded me. I had no desire to soar through the air again.
Hands grasped my arms and hauled me upright before I registered that I’d reached the other side.
Everett crushed me in a hug so unlike him that I squawked in surprise. Delysia laughed and clutched us both, talking so fast I couldn’t hear her over the pounding of my heart.
But I did hear her gasp, “Oh!”
We all turned around to see Aiden step onto solid ground, a grin on his ruggedly handsome face. He untied his rope and looped it around a post.
Delysia tugged on my sleeve. “Introduce us,” she hissed out of the corner of her mouth.
I tried to hide my smile. “Aiden, this is my younger sister, Delysia, and my older brother, Everett.” I squeezed both of them. “Everett and Delysia, this is Aiden Falcryn.”
“I think you mean King Falcryn,” Delysia murmured, dipping into a perfect curtsy.
Aiden bowed, his black hair sweeping over his brow. “I haven’t been crowned yet. But I’m so pleased to meet you both.”
Everett bowed as well. “After everything you’ve done for Kiera, our mother, and our kingdom, the honor is ours.”
“I wouldn’t be here without your sister,” Aiden replied, his gaze flicking to me. “I hope—”
“Oh!” Delysia gasped again, much louder this time.
She broke away from us to throw herself at the third person who’d crossed the bridge. Henry clutched her in his arms, his face buried in her long golden hair. They murmured things to each other we couldn’t hear. Delysia fussed with his torn uniform while Henry smiled down at her.
Something tugged in my chest.
I glanced at Aiden, who was already looking at me.
That dam was close to breaking. I could feel the words pushing and straining against the fears that held them back.
Ducking my head, I busied myself with untying my rope.
Everett cleared his throat. “There’s someone waiting for you inside,” he said to Aiden. “A Teacher named Librius.”
Aiden’s eyebrows drew together, and he nodded. With swift steps, he led us up the stairs. I wondered how he felt entering the palace. Not an assassin in the night, but as a king returning home.
Some of the palace guards were gathered outside, their armor gleaming in the sun.
They bowed as Aiden passed. Had their loyalties changed that quickly, or had they always wanted to serve someone better?
The latter seemed more prevalent in the soldiers and city folk.
But I wondered how much opposition Aiden would face in the coming days, months, years.
You could face it with him.
I shoved the stray thought back behind the dam.
Everett directed us to the throne room. Someone had picked up the crown I’d knocked from Renwell’s head and nestled it in the golden lap of the throne. And a lump of brown fabric lay at the foot of the dais.
No, it was Librius hunched over, his long hood enveloping his head.
At our approach, he unveiled himself. I bit my lip at his gaunt appearance. The hollow eyes and wasted skin reminded me of the prisoners in the mine.
“Librius,” Aiden said, getting on his knees to grasp the man’s shaking hands. “What happened?”
“Forgive me, Aiden,” the Teacher whispered. “I built the bombs that destroyed the bridge.”
“Renwell forced you to,” Aiden said firmly.
Tears filled Librius’s eyes. “He came to the Temple shortly after you left Aquinon. The High Teacher pointed him in my direction as someone who had the knowledge to create the bombs that had destroyed the Den. Renwell took me. Put me in the palace dungeon. Ordered me to create what he wanted. Tortured me when I refused.” Librius wiped his eyes.
“I kept refusing until he brought a young woman before me and . . . and killed her. He said I would force him to kill more unless I obeyed.”
Everett flinched next to me.
My lips twisted with revulsion. Another crime you have finally paid for, Renwell.
Aiden bowed his head. “You saved lives, Librius.”
“But I also ended them. And for that, I beg forgiveness.”
“I must also beg yours,” Aiden said quietly. “It’s my fault they discovered you.”
Librius shook his head vehemently. “I always knew that was a possibility, dear boy. I simply ask that you allow me to return to the Temple, where I may live out my days serving Aquinon to atone for the pain I’ve caused.”
Aiden drew him to his feet. “Of course. Also, I believe the position of High Teacher just became vacant. I’d like you to fill it when you’re ready.”
My heart warmed with happiness, and I beamed at Everett, who was watching the exchange with something akin to awe mixed with deep yearning.
“Oh . . .” Librius blinked rapidly. “That is very generous. May I think about it?”
“Of course,” Aiden said. “For now, please find somewhere to rest.” He glanced over his shoulder at Everett. “Is there enough food and water here, or shall I have some carried over?”
“We’ve enough to feed everyone here for a month, maybe more,” Everett said. “I can show Librius back to his room and get him something to eat.”
And ask how one becomes a Teacher, I surmised, seeing the light in my brother’s eyes.
Aiden nodded, and the two of them left.
Leaving Aiden and me to stare at each other in an empty throne room. Sun burst through the tall windows in warm shafts, setting the golden throne aglow like a fireflower behind Aiden.
But he didn’t look at it. He stood there in his rough black clothes, the rebel I’d met, the assassin I’d betrayed, and the warrior I’d fought beside.
All of whom were the man I’d fallen in love with.
“This is it, then,” I said softly.