Kyrin took in a deep breath to both restrain her need to defend Jace and to gather her sympathy for Holden’s past. She would probably be afraid of Jace too if ryriks had killed her parents. Didn’t she fear the emperor and his men the same way?
“I understand why you’re telling me this, and I’m not naïve. I’ve seen ryriks before. I know what they do. I’ve seen the burning hatred and rage in their eyes, the desire to kill, but I haven’t seen any of that in Jace. All I see is deep pain and loneliness.” She sighed, picturing the image of his sunken face in her mind. “Who knows? Maybe in the end you’ll be right, but I can’t ignore the desire to help him. If Elôm can use me to do that then I’m willing, regardless of the risk.”
Holden rubbed his hand across the back of his neck in agitation. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” But he must have understood that she would not change her mind. “Just be careful,” he muttered and walked off toward a tent.
Kyrin watched him over her shoulder for a moment before going her own way. She would not be deterred. A short distance beyond the edge of camp, she came to a nice quiet spot and glanced back to make sure no one had followed her. Satisfied that she was alone, she looked down at her feet and took a couple of steps the way Jace had taught her. If she practiced enough and wasn’t such a liability, maybe he would be more willing to take her hunting.
For the next couple of hours, she moved around the perimeter of camp as stealthily as she could. At one point, she pulled off her boots and went barefoot to get used to the feel of the terrain. If her classmates back at Tarvin Hall could see her now, they’d think she had lost her mind. How little they really knew of the world outside their bubble of unquestioning loyalty to the emperor.
When sunset approached, Kyrin leaned against a stump to pull her boots on and hurried back to camp to help Lenae with supper. Partridge was on the menu, but tonight, Mick joined in to show them how he’d learned to prepare it with wild onion. It gave Kyrin a chance to get to know him better. She never would have guessed that he came from a wealthy mining family. As much as she could tell he loved and missed them, they had turned him in for his faith in Elôm. After escaping the authorities, he’d wandered along, begging and struggling for food until he came to Landale and met Trask.
Despite the hardship he had endured, his story and perseverance inspired Kyrin. She took a seat beside him after they served supper and was so interested in what he had to say that she nearly missed Jace’s arrival. She caught his eye as he dished his supper and smiled at him, but he didn’t hold her gaze before ducking away into the darkness, as if propelled by guilt.
Kyrin blinked the sleepiness out of her eyes. Darkness cloaked the cabin, but it must be close to dawn. A rhythmic pattering pelted the roof. Even so, she pushed aside her covers and got out of bed. Rain or shine, if Jace came by today, she wasn’t going to miss him. Maybe the wet ground would make her quieter. She pulled on her clothes and climbed down from the loft, tiptoeing to the cupboard where she buttered a roll for breakfast and packed her lunch. At the door, she slipped on her boots, cloak, and quiver. With a glance at Lenae who slept in the corner, she eased the door open and stepped outside.
A steady rain made its way through the forest canopy. She pulled the cloak close and stood against the door, where she had a little shelter. And she waited. The light of dawn came slowly because of the clouded sky. It took longer than usual before she could make out the distinct shape of tents in the murky gloom. By this time, her clothing clung damply to her skin, but she still waited another twenty minutes with eyes always on the forest. Same as yesterday, nothing moved in the trees. Not even the birds entertained her with their usual chorus this morning.
After over an hour, she gave up the wait and went inside, relishing the warmth of the fire Lenae had already been up to stoke.
“Nothing today?”
“No.” Though she wasn’t especially disappointed. It would have been a wet and miserable day to hunt. She slipped off her cloak and hung it and her quiver on a peg beside the door. “I hope it’s because of the rain and he sought shelter in one of the tents at least. It’s really coming down out there.”
“If you see Rayad, maybe you can ask him,” Lenae suggested. “And if you happen to see any of the other men close by, I want to let them know I’ll serve breakfast for them in here. We can’t have them all at once, but they can take turns. Then they can warm up and dry off while they eat.”
Kyrin helped Lenae cook up a mound of eggs and bacon and gallons of coffee. Offering to get the extra supplies from the supply shack, she ran out into the rain and let Warin know of the meal arrangement so he could inform the others. A short time later, the first group of men showed up at the door.
Kyrin dished out food and filled coffee cups while Lenae continued cooking. Every time someone walked in, she looked up with hopeful expectation, but it was never Jace. However, when Rayad walked in, she met him at the door.
“Have you seen Jace?”
“He’s in the tent. He came in just after the rain started.”
“Good,” she said, truly relieved. She’d hated the thought of him out alone without shelter in this nasty weather. “Is he coming in for breakfast?”
Rayad looked at her regretfully. “I don’t think so. He’s got food out there.”
Simply happy he wasn’t in the rain, Kyrin returned to serving.
A cheery atmosphere filled the cabin, which was packed nearly full of people and glowing with the fire and candles in contrast to the dreariness outside. Kyrin enjoyed the conversations and laughter. It was so much more agreeable than all the gossiping at Tarvin Hall.
Though busy, she kept an eye on Rayad, and when he finished and was about to leave, she filled a large mug of coffee.
“Will you take this out to Jace?” she asked him.
He gave her a warm smile of gratitude. “I’d be glad to.”
Jace stared out into the gloom as the rain drummed the tent canvas, but his thoughts were far away from this place. They took him back to the farm—back to better days. During rainy times like this, warmth, life, and the delicious smell of Kalli’s baking had filled the cabin. She almost always made him his favorite shortbread cookies when the weather turned bad. Maybe because she knew how he hated being cooped up indoors. But it wasn’t so bad at the farm. After the necessary chores, the men always found something to do, and Kalli had entertained him with stories of her childhood with nine rambunctious siblings.
Someone entered the tent, and the memories scattered. He cleared his throat and blinked several times, but a deep ache throbbed in his chest. He glanced up when Rayad offered him a steaming cup of coffee.
“Kyrin asked me to bring this out to you.”
Jace wrapped his fingers around the warm mug, frowning at thoughts of Kyrin. He’d seen her waiting outside the cabin yesterday and this morning, even in the rain. Why would she be so persistent? Didn’t she understand what he was? First Rebekah and now Kyrin. He shook his head. Young women were a mystery.
The rain beat down throughout the day and halted work around camp. The men congregated in their tents or Lenae’s cabin, where there appeared to be a never-ending supply of hot coffee. No one seemed to mind the weather as their muted voices and laughter drifted through the rain. No one but Jace. He glowered into the soggy dimness. Being confined to the small tent stifled him. Tyra had been his only companion most of the day. When Rayad did come in, they didn’t talk, though it wasn’t for lack of Rayad trying. Jace just didn’t have anything to say.
By evening, he was ready to forget the rain and take off. If it made him deathly ill, so be it. But, before he could act, Rayad came to the tent once again.
“Why don’t you come and get supper with me?”
Jace eyed Lenae’s cabin through the parted tent flap. It was sure to be crowded.
“You don’t have to eat in the cabin,” Rayad told him, tone firm, “but you can at least come and get a warm meal.”
Jace still hesitated.
Yes, the idea of facing the men repelled him, but that wasn’t the main reason. Blast his nagging conscience. It wasn’t his fault Kyrin stood waiting outside the cabin every morning. He’d never said she could go with him more than that one time, and even that had been a mistake. So why feel guilty about it?
In the end, his need to get out of the tent outweighed his discomfort, and he rose to follow Rayad. Though a chilly rain fell around them, the air refreshed his taut nerves. Comforting warmth enveloped them when they stepped into the cabin. At the mixed aroma of chicken and baked goods, Jace’s stomach growled like it hadn’t in a while. His eyes roamed over the men who sat at the table and stood around with plates. A few glanced at him, but the good food and company earned their full attention. Lenae stood at the hearth, and Kyrin moved around the cabin filling plates and mugs. Turning, she caught sight of him, and a smile lit up her face.
Jace ducked his head. So few people had ever offered him such a genuine smile. He stared at the floor and followed Rayad deeper into the cabin. He just had to get his plate and go. He didn’t even care what was on it.
“Hungry?”
He cringed at the nearness of Kyrin’s voice.
“Mm, yes,” Rayad responded. “The food smells delicious.”
Jace chanced a peek at Kyrin. Her face still glowed with a smile as she dished up generous portions of chicken and potatoes onto two plates. Before she finished, she asked, “Would you like a slice of pie? Lenae taught me how to make them this afternoon.”
“I would love one,” Rayad answered enthusiastically. He always had loved pie.
“Jace?”
He started at his name, and this time met her gaze. What was it about her that left him incapable of saying no? He nodded.
She put a large slice of berry pie on his plate and handed it to him, her eyes kind and encouraging. “There you go.”
“Thanks,” he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear, and immediately turned for the door. Back out in the tent, he watched the cabin with a frown, giving little thought to his food. Even so, for the first time in weeks, he ate everything on his plate.
Kyrin propped herself up on her elbow. Even though it hadn’t rained the day before, Jace still had not come by. She had to admit, she missed sleeping in. Did it really pay to get up again when Jace hadn’t shown for three mornings in a row? She should probably give up and face facts. He didn’t want her hunting with him. She glanced down at her pillow, still warm and inviting. She wavered for a moment, but she was more stubborn than that. Just one more morning. Then she would have to wait to see if Elôm provided her with a different approach.
She changed into her hunting clothes and went to the door. With a little prayer, she reached for the knob and prepared herself for disappointment, but when the door opened halfway, her eyes rounded.
Jace and Tyra stood just outside.
It took two or three heartbeats for her to trust her own eyes. Not for a second had she truly expected him to be there. Getting a hold of herself, she stepped out and quietly closed the door. With a hand still on the knob, she stared up at Jace in the silence that hung between them.
Jace broke it with an uncertain glance toward the trees. “Do you want to go hunting?”
Kyrin tried to hide her smile. “I’d love to.”
Jace cleared his throat and gave an awkward nod. Kyrin worked to school her features. She didn’t want to scare him off with her enthusiasm, but giddiness bubbled through her as she followed him across camp and into the forest. Thank You, Elôm, and forgive my doubting.
Jace seemed to move more slowly today, perhaps to allow her to keep up. As the sun peeked through the foliage ahead of them, the forest came alive, delighting Kyrin with the freshness of a new morning, but she focused her concentration on walking silently. Though not nearly as quiet as she would like to be, there must have been a difference. About a mile in, Jace glanced over his shoulder at her and murmured, “You’re improving.”
“I hope so,” Kyrin replied earnestly. “I’ve been practicing.”
His brows hiked up, and she grinned to herself when he looked away.
The morning wore on Kyrin, but not as much as last time. The slower pace helped. Though Jace didn’t speak again, the silence wasn’t so uncomfortable until noon came and they paused for lunch. Kyrin couldn’t waste this opportunity to get to know him. A third chance wasn’t likely if she failed this one.
As she pulled food from her pouch, her mind raced all over for something to say. What would Kaden say in this situation, or anyone else for that matter? But then, neither she nor Jace had lived normal lives or had anything normal to talk about. She frowned down at the roll in her hand as if it might hold answers and tore off a piece to chew while she thought. She glanced over at Jace and found the same type of frown on his face. Suddenly, he looked up and met her eyes.
“So, you can remember everything?”
She blinked. He’d actually beat her to saying something. She gulped down her bite of roll to answer him. “Yes. If I see or hear something, I’ll remember it.” She paused, but seized on the opportunity to keep the conversation going and not let silence take over again. “A book, for instance. If I get a good look at a page, I can go back later and read it in my mind. It takes more concentration than simply reading it though.”
Jace stared at her with widened eyes, but then looked away as a grimace flashed across his face. Clearly, he remembered enough of his past without having her abilities.
He cleared his throat and asked, “When did it start?”
“When I was four.”
He looked at her again, his eyes vivid with interest and more openness than he had shown in their previous encounters. “You remember everything since you were four?”
Kyrin nodded, and Jace responded by shaking his head. “How do you process it all?”
She shrugged. “I just do, I guess, but it can be very overwhelming. I get bad headaches in new or stressful situations when I have a lot to take in. Especially in crowds. Sometimes I start to panic. I used to faint a lot, but I haven’t in a while.”
Quiet returned. She should ask something about him, but what would he be keen on sharing? She nibbled on her roll again. Her eyes fell on the wolf sitting at his side, and she perked up.
“How did you get Tyra?”
The wolf turned her head at the sound of her name, and Jace rubbed her back. “I came across her while hunting. She was just a pup, but someone had shot her. I brought her back to the farm and…” His voice caught, and he clenched his jaw. “Kalli helped me fix her up. She never left after that.”
Kyrin offered him a compassionate smile, but a sharp ache jabbed her chest, and the smile faded when he looked away.
No way Kaden could pull this off…but it was mandatory. The order came straight from Emperor Daican. He swallowed, his dratted uniform pressing against his throat. He reached up to unfasten the top clasp, but it didn’t seem to help when he swallowed hard again. If he didn’t keep it together today, all would be lost and his change in behavior would be for naught.
He scanned the courtyard. Every student over fourteen trickled from the Hall and gathered around him. Thank Elôm the younger children weren’t required to attend. His gaze snagged on Sam. The talcrin’s face was set in a tight, grim expression.
When the final stragglers joined them, they and most of Tarvin Hall’s staff filed out of the gate. En masse, they trooped to the city square. A crowd already filled the center, preventing them from getting much closer, but this was close enough. Kaden eyed the platform. Cold sludge filled his veins. He could still see Kyrin standing there—a sight from a nightmare.
He sucked air into lungs constricted by anxiety, and his eyes darted to his surroundings. If only he could bolt now while outside of Tarvin Hall. It had certainly crossed his mind since the emperor’s order came. But his scan of the area destroyed such hopes. His two guards stood only a couple of paces behind him. Even if he could break past them, a hundred of his fellow stu
dents surrounded him, who would be quick to step in and stop him. He had no choice but to endure this.
His eyes settled once more on the platform as his hands turned slick and a cold sweat beaded on his back. The executioner stood waiting just as they were. Anticipation rippled through the murmurs around him. But something heavy and dark permeated the air and raised goose bumps across Kaden’s skin—something far more sinister than he’d sensed at any ryrik executions. At least those executions had been just.
The commotion started at the far side of the square and rolled toward them. The hard hammering of Kaden’s heart pummeled his ribcage, and he gnashed his teeth together. He couldn’t be here without reliving the moment that Daican’s men brought Kyrin to the platform. The last time he’d seen his sister. He looked away, fighting the hot burn in his chest that threatened to make him scream and fight his way out of this. His fists clenched, and he wished for a sword hilt between them. Maybe then he could stop this.
When he dragged his gaze back, a group of people ascended the platform, all but three of them guards. Two men and a woman lined up for the crowd to see. Kaden’s eyes touched each of their drawn, dirt-smudged faces. The woman was especially pale. She wasn’t much older than Kyrin and had the same shade of brown hair shorn just above her shoulders. Kaden struggled to breathe. They stared out at the crowd, their eyes wide, but a determined strength seemed to surround them as it had Kyrin. The restrictive bands around Kaden’s chest drew tighter. These men and this woman weren’t here for murder or any other heinous crime. They were here because of their belief in King Elôm—the very same belief he shared. And today, they would die for it.
Sir Richard stepped forward. The murmuring crowd quieted to let him speak.
“These three prisoners before you have publically renounced our sovereign gods, Aertus and Vilai, and have chosen instead to follow after myths. They have willfully turned on their gods, their emperor, and their country. For their treason, they have been sentenced to death, as is fitting for all such traitors to our empire.”