Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(69)

Situated in the corner of the room, my father was sitting on a chair. When he saw me, he slammed his book shut. I ran over and wrapped my arms around his neck.

He kissed my head and held me at arm’s length. “You look good.” He smiled. Vidar cleared his throat, and my father glanced at him. “It’s good to see you, too. Thanks for taking care of my girl.”

“It’s my honor,” Vidar replied as he removed my weapon from his clothing.

The three of us sat at the table. Papa reached his hand out, and I clasped it. Although faint, the wheezing was still there, and his skin had a sheen of sweat on it.

“How are you?” I asked. “Are you being well cared for here?”

He attempted a smile. “My dear, sweet girl,” he muttered. “I just wanted to see you one last time. And here you are.” His eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry I won’t be there to see the Krigers rise.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe Papa was going to die. “You looked good the last time I saw you. What happened?” His pocket was bulging with a bloodstained handkerchief.

My father patted my hand, wheezing. “Although the medicine has helped, it’s not a cure. My lungs are failing.”

“I hate that working in the mines has done this to you.” Anger and pain warred inside of me.

A ghost of a smile flitted across his face. “Please don’t be sad.”

Tears slid down my cheeks, dropping onto the table. “Don’t leave me. I need you.” My heart constricted as if someone were crushing it.

Papa’s eyes darted to Vidar and then back to me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about being a Kriger sooner.”

“You were just trying to keep me safe.” I released his hand and wiped my cheeks.

“Your mother would be so proud of you. You’ve turned into such a beautiful, strong woman.”

At a loss for words, I hugged Papa, resting my head on his chest, wishing we could stay like this forever.

“I have one request.”

“Anything.”

“End this,” he said, wheezing. “Kill Morlet, and restore peace to Nelebek. You must save our family from this wretched curse.”

“I promise.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I know you can do it.”

“If I could be so bold,” Vidar said. “I know you’re concerned about your daughter’s future—especially since you won’t be there to protect her.” My father’s jaw quivered at the truth of Vidar’s words. “I have a solution. Give me your blessing to marry your daughter. I promise to take good care of her. She will want for nothing.”

It felt as if I’d been punched in the stomach. My father was going to die—now was not the time for marriage proposals.

“This is a dream come true,” Papa whispered. Another punch to my stomach. I looked at my father and saw the unspoken words in his eyes. He wanted this for me. “To know she’ll be loved and taken care of.” His smile softened the lines around his eyes as his body relaxed with relief.

“Do I have your blessing then?” Vidar asked.

“I would be honored to give my daughter to you, but she has no dowry, no money.”

“Your daughter is more than enough.”

“It is too good to be true,” Papa said. “Then yes, you have my blessing.” My father shook Vidar’s hand.

“Thank you.”

“It is I who should thank you,” Papa said.

Balling my hands into fists, hurt filled me. I was a person, not a piece of property. Yet, seeing how happy this made my father, I couldn’t deny him that. “Thank you, Papa.” I forced a smile.

“We need to go,” Vidar gently said.

“I’ll be in the mines tonight to make sure you have a clear path to the dungeon,” my father said.

“You should stay here and rest,” I urged him.

He shook his head. “I will be there protecting you.” There would be no changing his stubborn mind.

I stood and hugged Papa. “I love you.”

“Be safe,” he said.

I nodded and hurried out of the room, unable to look back.

Before leaving the apartment building, I stopped and glared at Vidar. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“We’ll talk about it later. Come on, we’re going to be late.”

“Where are we going?”

“A local tavern,” he responded. “We’re meeting some people there.” He peered out at the main street. When it was clear, we exited and started walking. Vidar hunched over and leaned on the bo staff for support as if he were an elderly man.

“Aren’t you going to hide my weapon?”

“It’s my walking stick,” he said. “When we arrive at the tavern, I can’t very well sit with it under my clothes.” He gave me a lopsided grin, and I wanted to hit him. He was far too chipper over the stunt he just pulled with my father.

“We’re here,” Vidar said as he shoved a wooden door open, and we stepped inside a dark tavern. The long, lacquered bar at the front, the round tables, and the scantily clad women were all familiar. Of course, it made sense we’d come to this tavern since there was an entrance to the underground tunnels here.