Resistance

  “Yes, you will,” the wealthy man said with his lip curled like a snarling dog. “My lord, I request that they be thrown into the workhouses until the debt is paid. I’ve given them enough time.”

  “You can’t do this,” the young man jumped in again. “You’ve barely given us a chance.”

  The wealthy man spun to face him. They exchanged heated words, and their voices rose until Daican raised his hand. Silence fell.

  The emperor had leaned forward enough for Kyrin to see the side of his face now. She watched his shrewd expression and silently pleaded with him. Surely, he could grant them just a little more time. They couldn’t help their circumstances. A silent need beat inside her for him to prove himself merciful.

  “Debts must be paid,” Daican spoke at last, his voice contemplative at first, then hardening to a decided tone when his eyes settled on the wealthy man. “They will work off the debt.”

  Kyrin’s elevated heartbeat slowed and sank down toward her feet.

  The wealthy man gave a triumphant grin, but the older one pushed forward. A guard struck him when he came too close to the dais, and he fell to his knees. Kyrin gasped and covered her mouth with the hope that no one noticed. The younger man rushed to his side, but the old man looked up at Daican with outstretched arms.

  “Please, my lord, allow the boy to go free. I will work off the debt.”

  “Father, no!” The young man shook his head. “You’ll die in the workhouses.”

  But the man’s eyes remained on the emperor, who considered the request for a moment.

  “Very well.” Daican motioned to his guards. “Have this man transported to the workhouses and escort the others out.”

  The guards seized them, and the son tried to resist, but they dragged him away from his father and toward the entrance.

  “No! You can’t do this!” He fought with all his might to break free, his eyes huge. They locked with Kyrin’s.

  Pain throbbed in her chest at witnessing the fullness of his desperation. Would she not feel the same watching her father hauled off to certain death? Her lungs constricted, and she clenched her fists, longing to help him, but the need to appear loyal to the emperor trapped her. Her eyes stung, and her vision watered against her attempts to blink it away. This surely wouldn’t be the last time she would witness such a thing and be powerless to offer aid or comfort. The last pained look between father and son would stay in the forefront of her mind for a long time.

  Struggling to breathe normally, she glanced around for a distraction. Her gaze met solidly with Davira’s, and her breath fell short, frozen by the princess’s cold, piercing eyes.

  Kaden never realized just how much he relied on Kyrin until she was gone. He had spent his whole life to this point protecting his sister, taking for granted how she had encouraged him, supported him, and defended him just as much.

  His ribs and shoulder smarted with deep bruises from sparring as he trudged toward the Hall. Training had been a disaster. He’d had enough of Tarvin Hall’s activities and courses and the constant threat of disciplinary actions if he didn’t take them seriously. He’d quit right here and now if only he could just walk out. But he was trapped—if not by Tarvin Hall itself, by Kyrin’s position at the palace. He couldn’t just abandon her there.

  A mournful little sob, followed by the unmistakable snickers of taunting, halted Kaden. He marched around the corner. Little Meredith stood backed up against the building with tears trickling down her cheeks. A group of six other children surrounded her, laughing and jeering. “Crybaby.”

  Kaden’s mind flashed back to all the times Kyrin had been in the same position. His fingers curled into fists. “What’s going on?”

  The children gasped and spun around, their eyes wide. When they realized he was not one of the instructors, the fear melted away. Defiance lit in the eyes of the ringleader.

  The boy crossed his arms. “It’s none of your business.”

  Kaden snorted. Someone needed to be taught a good lesson. Without any concern for chastisement or consequences, he reached down and took hold of the boy’s jerkin at the nape of the neck, lifting him up off his feet so they were looking eye to eye. The boy wriggled and complained, but when his eyes met Kaden’s, he stilled.

  “You won’t ever bully Meredith or anyone here again, do you understand?” Kaden caught the stubbornness creeping into the boy’s expression and gave him a shake. “Do you understand?”

  Breathing heavily, the boy swallowed and nodded. Kaden narrowed his eyes and glared at him a moment longer. Finally, he set him back on his feet, none too gently, and resisted the urge to cuff him upside the head for good measure. Try it again, and the boy wouldn’t be so lucky.

  The children made a hasty retreat. Once at a safe distance, however, the boy turned back, tugging his jerkin into place and puffing out angry breaths.

  “I’m telling Master Zocar, and then you’ll be in trouble.”

  “Go ahead, snitch on me,” Kaden shot back.

  The boy’s expression changed. He glanced warily at his friends. No one wanted to be branded the new snitch.

  They moved on, and Kaden turned back to Meredith. The little girl’s wide eyes still overflowed with tears, and her lip trembled.

  “It’s okay,” he told her. “They won’t bother you now.”

  He reached for her hand and led her over to a bench, where he sat down beside her. She tried valiantly to wipe the tears from her cheeks, but more spilled over. A little girl shouldn’t have to fight to be so brave.

  “It’s okay to cry,” Kaden said as he put his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t listen to them.”

  Meredith looked up into his face, hiccupping. “Have you ever cried?”

  “Sure I have.”

  “Did you cry when Kyrin left?”

  “No, but I felt like it.”

  Meredith sniffed, and her voice wavered. “I miss her.”

  “So do I.” Kaden released a long sigh.

  “Kyrin was the nicest girl at Tarvin Hall.” She clasped her hands tightly in her lap and bowed her head. “I don’t have any friends here. Only you.”

  Kaden smiled a little and held her close, finding his own comfort in the familiar role of protector. Still, Meredith needed more than just him to make it through Tarvin Hall. His pulse quickened. This could be the worst mistake he ever made, but something compelled him to go on.

  “You know, Meredith, there’s a special friend who will never, ever leave you.”

  She looked up in question. “Who?”

  Kaden glanced over his shoulder and looked around the yard, but no one lingered nearby. “Have you ever heard of King Elôm?”

  Meredith’s mood changed in an instant, and her body went rigid. Her eyes darted here and there before she whispered, “Mommy and Daddy used to tell me about Him.”

  This was not the answer Kaden expected. Outside of Kyrin, Sam, and his father, faith in Elôm seemed almost non-existent. “Did they?”

  Meredith nodded and looked up at him again with eyes full of yearning. “Do you think He’s real?”

  “I know He is, and I believe in Him.”

  “You don’t believe in Aertus and Vilai?”

  The little girl’s expression was painfully innocent. He could never suspect her of giving him away, but what if it happened by accident? He shook off the thought. It shouldn’t matter—not if it might help Meredith believe.

  With a silent prayer, he said, “No, I don’t.”

  The little girl looked at him thoughtfully. “I don’t think I do either.” Her expression grew more serious. “But the emperor wants us to, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes.”

  “So we can’t let him know?”

  “No, we can’t.”

  Meredith sighed and nestled against him as she wrapped her arms around herself. For a long moment, only silence drew out between them until Meredith murmured, “I miss my mommy and daddy.”

  Kaden squeezed her arm in full understanding. “I?
??m sure you’ll get to see them again sometime.”

  She had to have some hope. It might be all that got her through some days.

  But Meredith shook her head against him. “No,” she breathed out in a sad acceptance, “they’re dead.”

  Cold spread through Kaden, and he winced. “What happened?”

  Her body tensed again, and her gaze darted around the yard before she raised her pale face to him. In a whisper Kaden could barely hear, she said, “Emperor’s men.”

  And she would say no more.

  Jace jolted awake with a gasp, his limbs heavy and coursing with heat. Dim images of darkness and violence fogged his mind, but then Tyra’s face appeared above him. She let out a low whine and the images faded. He sunk his fingers into the soft fur around her neck and breathed out a sigh.

  “I’m fine,” he murmured.

  He peered around the tent. The other three bedrolls lay empty, and bright patches of early morning sunlight danced on the canvas above him. Outside, birds sang merrily, but Jace found no joy in it. Did he even possess such an emotion anymore? The very last of it seemed to have died upon their arrival in camp.

  With another sigh, he pushed himself up and pulled on his clothes. He brushed past the tent flap and took in the sight of camp. Most of the men gathered by the fire, where a large pot steamed. They talked and some laughed, but all grew quiet as Jace drew near. A few watched him, though most focused on their breakfast bowls. He scanned the faces. Rayad wasn’t among them, and after another look around, Jace spotted him near one of the tents with Warin and Trask.

  The unnatural silence surrounding the men lengthened. Jace crunched his teeth together. What a fool thing to have joined them during breakfast after yesterday’s reception. He turned away, but Mick’s voice halted his retreat.

  “Help yourself to breakfast. There’s plenty.”

  Jace glanced from him to the extra bowls gathered on a table near the fire. Instinct drove him to forget breakfast and walk away, but that would be giving in to intimidation. Hardening his resolve, he walked to the fire, took a bowl, and served himself from the porridge in the pot. When he turned, he once again faced the silent group of men. This time he met Holden’s eyes and the clear message behind their cold glint. No one wanted him around. Fine. He didn’t want anything to do with them either.

  He set off away from the fire with Tyra at his heels. Behind him, conversation resumed as he found a seat on a log at the edge of camp. He stared down at the bowl of pale porridge and didn’t move. For the three years he had known Rayad, the man never ate without first offering thanks to Elôm. Jace had adopted this practice in the last year, but sitting here alone, no words of thanks would come.

  He grimaced and shut his eyes at the questions that came instead. Where was Elôm in this? If He loved him as much as Rayad said He did, why did He leave him to face such pain and hostility? The only possible answer cut his heart like knife blades. Elôm didn’t know him. He was soulless, little more than an animal, destined to struggle through life without a true purpose or an ultimate destination. Just like everyone said.

  At last, it arrived—Kyrin’s first day off. Her body tingled with an anticipation that added swiftness to her steps as she crossed the palace to find Trev. As grand and spacious as Auréa was, she could hardly wait to be free of its confines—away from the pressures and scrutiny of her position.

  Nearing the security quarters, a female giggle caught her attention. She came through the hall doorway to find Collin standing near a pillar with one of the maids. The girl giggled again as he toyed with her hair. Kyrin rolled her eyes. He probably had a whole slew of new female admirers, and now Tarvin Hall’s rules against fraternizing didn’t apply.

  The maid spotted her and released a light gasp. She dipped into a curtsy, cast one last shy smile at Collin, and hurried on her way. Once her footsteps faded, Kyrin looked at Collin, expression flat. He, however, wore his most charming grin.

  “I hear it’s your day off. Want to go for a walk?”

  “And what about her?” She gestured to the doorway through which the maid had disappeared.

  “Ah, that’s nothing.”

  Kyrin lifted her brows. “Does she know that?”

  A brief frown marred Collin’s smile, but it regained its brightness in a moment. “It’s just a little fun.”

  “You and I have very different ideas of fun.” Kyrin shook her head and walked past him. She had better things to do today than put up with his advances. “I thought you were a gentleman.”

  “Hold on a minute.” His footsteps echoed in the hall, and he cut around in front of her, halting her progress. “Nothing happened. Lighten up.”

  Kyrin drew her shoulders back and crossed her arms. If Kaden had any idea about this, he would throw a fit. She could see it now—him storming the palace to knock Collin down a peg, or twenty.

  “Come on,” he coaxed. “I just thought it would be nice to spend some time together now that we don’t have to abide by so many rules.”

  Her and how many other girls? She shook her head again and tried to move on, but he backpedaled to stay in front of her.

  “Why not?”

  Kyrin narrowed her eyes at his persistence and worked on an answer that would make Kaden proud. Before she could use it, a third set of footsteps interrupted. She glanced around Collin to see Trev. He eyed the two of them keenly, and his gaze rested on Kyrin.

  “You were looking for me, my lady?”

  “Yes, I want to go out and see my brother.” She glanced pointedly at Collin as she mentioned Kaden.

  As Trev closed the distance between them, Kyrin faced Collin once more and lowered her voice, but didn’t bother to smooth the edge. “I’m not your entertainment.”

  “I never said you were,” he shot back, matching her tone.

  The smile had faded to reveal something more in his eyes—genuine interest and disappointment, if she read it right. A faint sting of guilt passed through her. Perhaps she hadn’t needed to be so harsh, but if she didn’t stop him now, he’d continue to pursue her, and she had no interest in him.

  She joined Trev, who gave Collin a rather dour look as he passed. They walked in silence, and all thoughts of Collin fell away the moment Kyrin exited the courtyard gates. Her pace quickened again as she took to the streets that sloped away from the palace. They bypassed Tarvin Hall on a more direct route to the central square.

  When they arrived, Kyrin scanned the crowd. Busy, as usual, but not nearly so much as it was on an execution day. She moved along the perimeter toward one particular merchant’s stall. A grin leapt to her face. Kaden stood near the stall, waiting just as planned. Sharing big smiles, they hugged tightly.

  “It is so good to see you!” Kyrin exclaimed.

  “You too,” Kaden replied.

  He glanced at her clothes and was certainly more pleased with her appearance this time. She’d refused to let Holly apply more than the lightest layer of cosmetics, and she’d simply braided her hair. In a serviceable dress with slits up the sides and matching black leggings, she felt much more like her normal self.

  Kaden and Trev acknowledged each other with a look, Kaden sizing up the man assigned to protect his sister. More or less satisfied, his attention returned to Kyrin.

  “You hungry?”

  “For pies, always.”

  They turned to the merchant’s stall that overflowed with an array of pastries and tortes, and each selected the flaky, fruit-stuffed hand pies they enjoyed so much. It had been a special treat since they’d grown old enough to wander the city without supervision.

  When it came time to pay, Kaden reached into his pocket, but Kyrin stopped him.

  “This time it’s my treat.” She smiled at the merchant and handed him the coins. When they left the stall, she said, “Honestly, I don’t know what I’ll ever do with all my pay.”

  “I’m sure you’ll think of something. You could buy a dog, or a horse…or a dragon.”

  Kyrin chuckled.
“A dragon? What would I do with a dragon?”

  “Fly,” Kaden said in a wistful tone.

  “I doubt anyone would be willing to sell their dragon these days, and I’d have to be royalty to afford that.”

  Kaden shrugged, but Kyrin knew him too well. The notion would never completely leave his head. He’d always dreamed about flying, though where he’d ever picked up such an idea was a mystery.

  Letting him dream, Kyrin turned to Trev and offered him an extra pie she’d purchased.

  “That isn’t necessary, my lady,” he politely declined.

  “But I insist. It’s the least I can do for dragging you all over the city.”

  “That’s my job, but thank you.” He smiled and accepted the pie.

  Kyrin faced Kaden again, who appeared to have returned to reality. “Want to go to the shore?”

  He nodded, and they headed off toward the western edge of the city. Along the way, they talked of different things, unimportant things, but none of what they really had on their minds. That would have to wait until they could talk privately.

  After several blocks and an uphill climb, they came to the cliffs overlooking the spectacular Ardaluin Bay. Off to their left and below them lay the harbor filled with hundreds of magnificent tall ships, their creamy sails furled and waiting for the next voyage. Kyrin had never been on one, but it would be fascinating to see the places they traveled to. Between Valcré and her small hometown of Mernin, she hadn’t seen much of Ilyon at all.

  The cliffs dropped away dizzyingly and sent a thrill through Kyrin’s chest. But straight out, as far as they could see, lay the brilliant Sidian Ocean. With a cloudless sky, the clear waters were a dazzling aqua and shimmered like satin in the sun. She took a deep breath of the cool, salty breeze. This was one of her favorite places in Valcré.

  Before they moved on, Trev said, “I’ll keep watch here.”