Chapter 13 #3
“The queen didn’t try to kill me; those dissenters did. They tried to rape me, brother. And if you’re a part of this crazy rebellion that’s brewing, then those dissenters attacked me knowing I was your kin. It means our family is not safe.”
“They attacked you because you defend the crown.” His words hit me like a slap to the cheek, his disgust toward me making my skin feel as if I was coated in mud.
“I know I can’t tell you what do to; I know I can’t convince you to leave this rebellion behind. But the queen is too powerful. This is not going to be an easy war, and it won’t be one where you come out on top. At the end, the royals possess magic we don’t. Think about our family, brother.”
“My family is the only reason I fight for what’s right. And don’t dismiss the common fae so easily, Sylvi. We’re not as weak as they’ve tried to make everyone believe.”
There was no winning with him, not when he was clearly too deep in his convictions about the crown. Cornering him now would only push him away further. “At least promise me you’ll protect Mother and Lyra while I’m gone.”
“Gone? Where?”
“The queen wants the city to believe I’m still bedbound. So, I will be traveling with a royal envoy under the guise of Jack’s personal attendant. We’re to meet the Unseelie King at Thrymgard and escort him back. We should return in a fortnight.”
His brows dipped. “The Unseelie King is headed to Isenheim?”
Blasted Solstice.
I swallowed hard, realizing I might have revealed too much.
If my brother was, in fact, connected to the rebellion, knowing about the Unseelie Court’s visit might have put our envoy in danger.
What the Hel was wrong with me? “Aldric, don’t do anything stupid.
The queen is sending Jack for a reason. His magic is too powerful. If dissenters try to attack—”
“Wait, why does the queen want everyone thinking you’re still bedbound?” he interrupted, ignoring my warning.
“Because if people see me like this, looking as if I wasn’t mortally wounded, they’ll think Jack acted unjustly, and they will demand retribution for those deaths.”
“Well, they wouldn’t be wrong in demanding answers, Syl. Look at you. How is it, if you were so badly injured, that you are standing before me, looking like nothing happened?”
“Jack offered me his magic last night to help with my fever. Combined with the healing properties of the head healer’s poultice and tonics, it sped up my recovery.”
He crossed his arms and eyed me with suspicion.
“They tried to rape me, Aldric. They were going to murder me… Look, I don’t expect you to understand.
We’re all still trying to make sense of all of this.
But I do need you to tell Mother and Lyra I’m being kept in isolation to protect me from infection.
We can’t have word spreading about my true condition. Please, Aldric. I need your word.”
He exhaled through his nose.
“It’s for their safety. And yours.”
“I don’t need protection. I’d rather sleep in the gutters of Isenheim than become a pawn in the queen’s game.”
I stepped back, throat tight. “This isn’t about her. It’s about keeping you alive.”
He shook his head. “Safety isn’t worth servitude. Gods, Sylvi, if you only knew what I—”
The door burst open. “Time’s up,” Ravin announced, then turned to Aldric. “Let’s go, Blondie.”
Without hesitation, I threw my arms around Ravin’s neck. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For the risks you took. For testifying.”
He raised a brow, as if shocked I knew.
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry. For saying what I said earlier in Jack’s room. For pulling friend-rank. It was stupid and uncalled for.”
A crooked grin broke across his face, and his shoulders raised.
“Look, despite the fact that I live by the creed, blades before braids, let’s be honest, no one was ever going to dethrone you as Jack’s number one.
Which earns you bragging rights. I shouldn’t have been shocked that he told you.
If anyone should apologize, it’s me. I was a jerk. ”
“You’re not a jerk, Ravin. Your loyalty means everything to him.”
“And here I thought he kept me around for my good looks.” He winked, though the amusement barely reached his eyes.
Leaning in closer, he whispered, “The unrest in the outskirts is real, Syl. The rebellion’s rising.
Keep your sword close. Watch Jack’s back.
And don’t trust the Unseelie King and his court… not even for a second.”
Dread unfurled in my belly, but I pushed it down. I was still a soldier, even if stripped of my title. I needed to stay focused.
I turned to Aldric. “Promise me you’ll stay out of trouble.”
“Don’t worry about me. You stay safe out there, sister.”
We embraced once more before he pulled his hood over his head and slipped from the room. Ravin paused at the threshold. “The queen will address the masses soon. Your room overlooks the courtyard…if you want to catch the show.”
“How’s Jack holding up?”
“You know him; he’ll do what’s necessary to protect the kingdom. And you.”