Chapter 21 #2
Fane scrubbed his hand down his face, looking haggard and much older than his years.
He stared at the table long enough for the silence to become uncomfortable.
Sonah flicked a glance at the other soldiers, noting their eyes were pointedly on their tankards.
Only Melanos stared back at Fane, his features cold.
“We knew he’d gone to the prince’s rooms, but we didn’t know why.
Only what he’d said, something about a debt.
” Fane shrugged and sighed. “Commander Antonius handpicked all of us for that mission. Before we even left Sparta he swore us to secrecy. After we learned of the prince’s death, the commander told us no one outside our group was ever to know anything we’d done.
I assumed it was a confirmation of his crime. ”
“Where did you go after you got the firstborns out?” Melanos asked in his gruff voice. Sonah was grateful for his interjection because she was feeling so ill. Fane’s revelations matched so much of what Lerek had shared. But she still felt guilt over her part in it.
The part that had blown up in her face.
“Aurora,” Fane answered. “The commander had an understanding with Duke Aurora, who took responsibility for the firstborns. When we arrived, the commander lost his shit on the duke. We didn’t hear much, but what we did led us to believe the commander blamed Duke Aurora for the mess.
I’d never seen a royal so terrified before.
Michael thought the commander might actually kill the duke but, despite his fury, Commander Antonius didn’t so much as touch the man.
“We were supposed to stay the night, but the commander wanted to leave right after he had it out with the duke. We delivered the firstborns and left. One of them rode back with us to Sparta.”
Sonah snorted. “Aye. Prince Lerek.”
Fane shook his head and grunted. “I did not know it was him, Sonah. Commander Antonius kept him away from the rest of us and brought him his meals personally. We were fine with that because he cried most of the trip. It was unsettling. Now I understand why.
“And I apologize for saying anything about the commander and the prince that night with you nearby. I am more sorry than you know. Believe me, I wish I’d kept my damned mouth shut.”
Sonah followed Melanos to the horses. She had slept most of the day after they’d eaten and only rose when Fane came to her door to ask if she wanted to join them for dinner. They’d agreed to head north to Ovenno and Sonah had barely slept after that, nervous energy making for a fitful night.
“Did you ever find Bethana?” Sonah asked.
When she’d last seen Melanos, he’d told them he’d be heading back toward the caves where Daris and Terena had found the nymph in her serpent form.
Poseidon had cursed them both more than a thousand years ago, and while Melanos was freed from his curse, Sonah had often wondered if he’d been able to break his beloved’s curse.
Melanos gave her a sad smile. “I did not. I searched every cave near the falls, even taking the path through the falls as your sister did. To no avail.”
Sonah paused, and Melanos turned to look at her with a frown.
“We’re nearby,” she said softly, gazing at him. “And it’s on the way.”
Fane walked up at that moment. “What’s this?”
Sonah motioned to Melanos. “He never found his love, Bethana. I was about to suggest we find her. Together.”
Fane began shaking his head and Sonah grabbed hold of his arm. “It’s on the way. And we don’t really know where Ren is right now. But we do know where Bethana is, roughly. We should do this. For Melanos.”
The look on Melanos’s face when Sonah turned to him almost broke her heart. He looked so hopeful but tried to hide it with a nonchalant shrug. “If the others don’t mind.”
“Melanos!” Sonah cried out in exasperation. “You’re a god! I’m a god! By my math, we outnumber these… three.”
The edge of Fane’s mouth quirked up. “Aye. That’s impressive math. Look,” he stood with arms akimbo, smiling at Melanos. “I’m fine either way. I just wanted to ensure she was all right. Now that she is, I’m good to go wherever.”
“Fane, what of our—” One of Fane’s friends started to speak.
Fane cut him off. “At the end of this, it is my hope you’ll journey with us to Commander Antonius.
” He looked between Melanos and Sonah. “When Sonah was captured, I sent word to Sparta. I’ve yet to hear back, but our soldiers here shared news of Terena’s whereabouts and rumors of a vast army coming from the north.
I don’t know if your sister journeys with the northern king, but at least we know she’s close. ”
Sonah glanced over at the three warriors behind Fane. King Altos was more than likely looking for her, and Fane had just sent him a boon. Nothing to do for it now but find her sister and then Daris.
But first…
“Then it’s settled,” she said in a firm voice. “We go in search of Bethana.” With a quick nod of her head, she walked purposefully toward the horse Melanos had procured for her and whispered to the mare, “Please be my friend?”