Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)(91)

“Six days.”

Before I can ask more, a knock sounds at the door. Captain Omar ducks his head in with Leif at his side. Alarmed, I move to grab my dagger, only to discover my body isn’t responding. My movements are creaky and so painful, I give up and fall back against the bed.

Gillian places her hand on my head, holding me down. “Lie back.”

“How is—?” Captain Omar stops in midsentence when Leif interrupts: “She’s awake.”

“She woke moments ago.” Gillian leaves my side and approaches them. “I won’t allow ya to upset her. She needs her rest.”

“That’s not on my agenda for today,” says Captain Omar before he steps around the healer. Leif remains by the door.

“I’ll speak with him,” I volunteer before she pushes him out, knowing what must be coming. He knows I’m a Channeler.

Gillian moves around him and thrusts another cup of her brew in my face. “Drink this first,” she says.

When the cup is empty, Captain Omar pulls a chair beside the bed. He looks different from the last time we spoke. A few more cuts, bruises, and a little less vengeance blazing in his eyes.

“I know you’re recovering, so I’ll make this brief.” He nods to Gillian before turning back to me. “First, I wanted to say Enat’s death wasn’t my plan. Tomas acted rashly, and he deserved the end he received.”

I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t that. I lower the cup to my lap, focusing on the final dregs to keep my sadness at bay. I never imagined I could lose so much.

I dare to meet Captain Omar’s eye. “What does this mean for me?”

“Tomas acted without my command, thus any injury he sustained from a defensive attack is his fault.” Even as he says this, I can see lines deepening on his forehead, as though it pains him to grant me amnesty. “As far as the law is concerned, you acted in defense of the king. You also had an agreement with the high lord, which the king has agreed to honor. You found your father’s murderer and are now absolved of your crimes.”

I blink. “Absolved of my crimes?”

“You’re free to go and live your life, Britta.”

Any relief to be had is at odds with the pain of Enat’s passing. In spite of the freedom he’s offering, I cannot muster anything more than a grimace. He’ll forever be connected to Enat’s death.

“What about my—”

“I know what you did to save the king.” The captain cuts me off. “And no one is accusing you of anything more than tending to King Aodren.” He gives me a knowing look. “Understand?”

He’s completely turning a blind eye to my Channeler ability.

“You’re a smart girl, Britta. I think you understand me just fine. You risked your life for him and this country. Your actions were honorable.” He shifts beside me. “And . . . and I am here to apologize.”

Never in a thousand years would I have expected such a confession from Captain Omar. “Pardon. Did you say you needed to apologize?”

“Yes.” His answer is scant more than grunt.

“Am I dead?”

“Britta, don’t give the captain a hard time,” Leif warns without conviction. “He’s already here, groveling at your bedside for his many, many mistakes and misjudgment of your character, failures that might possibly have brought more harm to the king. Don’t make it any worse.”

Omar’s face purples. Leif laughs.

“You know about the Spiriter, then?” I ask Captain Omar, allowing the change in conversation.

“Yes, which is another reason I’ve come to talk to you. Lord Jamis is charged with your father’s murder as well as treason against the king. He’s detained in the dungeon but has refused to speak to anyone, despite our persuasion. We don’t know who he was working with. Do you?”

“No,” I tell him. “She wasn’t in the room. Though she couldn’t have been far. For her bind to work, she would’ve had to be close. I could sense her somewhere in the castle. I would’ve searched for her if I could have pinpointed her location.”

He strokes his beard. “Interesting.”

“If that’s all, Captain Omar and Leif, the girl needs her rest.” Gillian takes my cup.

The door creaks open, and Cohen appears in the doorway with Siron’s shadowy form behind him. His sudden appearance is such a pleasant surprise, it takes me a moment to realize I didn’t feel his approach. The horse lets out a saluting snort, which makes me smile. The sight of Cohen, healthy and strong, fills my heart with such peace and happiness.

Captain Omar stands. “I was just leaving,” he tells Gillian, and then faces me. He clears his throat. “I wanted to say thank you.”

My lips part in surprise. “You—?you’re welcome.”

Before the captain leaves, Leif moves to my side. “I’m glad you’re all right,” he says with a bashful smile. “I just came to tell you that anytime you need me, I’ll be here for you.”

“I couldn’t have done it without your help,” I tell him. “I’ll always consider you a friend.”

He blushes. “You deserved that and more.”

When Leif leaves the cottage with the captain, Cohen steps forward, and two things I hadn’t noticed a few minutes before steal my thoughts—?his disheveled hair and haunted eyes.