1618686836 (F) (34 page)

"I can't just let her die!"

Vance smiled grimly. "I can't sentence a child to die for the crimes of her father. No, child. You have done wrong, yes. And whilst you had no choice, I cannot let you live in Everfell without having you stand in front of the law for what you have done. My position—what little pride and strength I have left in the eyes of my lords—would be absolutely obliterated. Therefore, your choices are these. You may stand trial for the lesser crime of aiding the Baron Sammah with treason. The sentence for this, if you are found guilty, is life under the yoke. We know you are guilty, Quinn. Or, you may choose exile. You must leave the lands of Everfell in their entirety; you can live wherever you will, but you cannot live under the benefit of a lord, nor can you take pay or shelter from a citizen of Everfell. You will be banished across the Severed Desert, where I hope you will find more peace and prosperity with…” Vance took a deep breath before he finished, “…your own kind."

Quinn opened her eyes in a pleasantly surprised shock. After finding out how much more Sha'sek had to offer her, she could only have dreamt of a chance to see its shores. Before, she would have been under the jurisdiction of Sammah and unable to travel. Now, she was being told that was her only option at life. She knew what she had to do."

"I will choose exile."

Maertn stood forward, silent throughout, waiting for Quinn's will before his own. "I will go too."

"Maertn, I can't allow that. You have work here—services to me—you are going to be the master soon. Torran is nothing compared to you."

"If Quinn must be with her own kind to find peace," Maertn replied "then I need to be too, sire. There's a reason I'm such a talented healer, with my small scattering of years."

They all saw then that Vance hesitated. He was considering reversing his ruling, simply to keep Maertn within his walls. How valued he was; how needed by the crown. And how fearful Vance must be of the future, to want to keep Maertn where he was. Again, though, he couldn't reverse such a declaration without word getting around the court, and once more looking like a fool. He had lost too much face already, allowed too much free rein and chaos to rule his people. The Sha'sek had to leave. If Maertn was one, then so be it. Vance nodded his ascension.

Quinn squealed with glee, jumping in to Maertn's arms and familiar hug. Eden's voice broke in to her reverie. "I'll come with you, too."

She turned to him. His face was weary, his eyes dark and tired, but dry. His chin was covered with stubble and he looked like every inch of his body had been battered in the last few days; mainly, they had. She shook her head at him.

"I can't let you do that Eden."

"But I love you, Quinn. I don't want to lose you."

She cocked her head to one side. "Come here, Eden." Quinn asked softly. He followed her words, standing in front of her, towering more than a head over her slight frame. "Can I?"

He gulped and nodded, letting his own tear out then. He knew what she was going to do, and neither of them knew what they would find.

"Do you love me?"

"Yes." Quinn was heartbroken at the warmth that billowed around her, her legs going shaky as she was reminded of the passion they had shared. Yes, she loved Eden just as he loved her.

"Do you love your father?"

Eden swallowed. "Yes."

Quinn frowned. He was doubtful, but he was telling the truth. Her air did not go dry; it did not taste of the acrid salt of lies.

Quinn took a deep breath. "Do you love me more than you love your need to serve Sevenspells?"

Eden dropped his mouth open. He had expected her to ask if he loved her more than his father, and that answer was an easy
yes
. But his duty to his father; to his people; the expectations of serving as the son of a lord. "Yes."

Quinn's nose twitched. It was not wholly untrue; parts of Eden did love her more than his duty. She was not clever or skilled enough to know which parts. Perhaps not even Eden himself knew. "No you don't, Eden. Is your need to follow me greater than your need to serve your king?"

“No." This time Eden was hesitant, his voice quiet given the company they were in, and the bolt that shot up Quinn's arm proved it. She, however, was not being assessed by an empath. She told Eden that he was lying. The king and Shiver stood a bit taller at the declaration that this young lord was holding his duty higher than he was his love for this woman.

"Do you want to come with me, simply because Maertn is coming with me? Despite what you know about us?"

She felt the flare of jealousy before he answered. Despite their friendship, despite what all three of them had been through together, Eden hadn't yet been able to let go of the fact that Maertn had always been there, and Quinn needed him in her life.

Quinn needed Eden, too, but Maertn's love had been unconditional since they were young. They were, after all, brother and sister of a kind, even if that had only been by Sammah's hand. Eden had never loved before. Quinn didn't blame him. Growing up with ambitious brothers and a father with all the loving capacity of a walrus, Quinn would have been overwhelmed by her first love, too. She grasped the hand of both Maertn and Eden. The young lord was not her first love, and Quinn herself had already misjudged her best friend once. They both had too much to learn before declaring their lives for each other.

"You are a lord, Eden, and a captain of the guard. You have a place here. You have people that love you, for you, in their own ways. We'll meet again. When we do, I'll ask you those questions again."

He stepped away from her, fury billowing out from him. Quinn stayed strong. She knew she was making the right decision.

Vance turned to her again, respect now hardening his voice.

"Quinn, of the house of Sammah, you have two choices. Judgement, or exile?"

Quinn dropped Maertn's hand, and stood proud.

"I choose exile, your highness.”

About the Author

Dawn is a UK-based author of fantasy and horror fiction, currently based in West Sussex. She writes books for adults and teens, and is the author of the upcoming
Empath
series, as well as the horror series
Great Bitten
, both available from Permuted Press. 

When Dawn isn't writing fiction, she is usually found fixing computers (this sometimes includes more than turning them off and on again). In her spare time she tends to read too much, and obsesses over her geriatric cat. She would love to go on more walks (but doesn't) and should cycle more (but hates hills).

You can connect with Dawn on social media at
www.facebook.com/dawnpeersauthor
and @dawnpeersauthor

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About the Author