The Shadowglass (The Bone Witch, #3)(79)

“You are no longer angry?”

“We have come to a…tentative understanding. I understand her better now than I did then. I am sorry about her sister. Fox thinks she can no longer be trusted. He is afraid that the Dark bides its time, waiting to take over again and find another victim. He doesn’t want her dead, but he sees no other recourse.

“I think differently. She raised my cousin from the dead. It is a feat of silver heartsglass no other Dark asha has ever repeated. For that alone, she has my eternal gratitude. She loves Kalen—fiercely, wholly. And I can understand her agony. If she succeeds in her attempt at shadowglass, if she can find a way to take the Dark out of her, then I will pray for her success.”

The king allowed himself a smile, grim yet full of promise, spreading across his face like calligraphy. “After all, who better to understand a kinslayer but another kinslayer?”





19


To everyone’s relief, none of the Odalians exhibited symptoms of Blight. “I’m glad we got here in time to give them due warning,” I said soberly, after delving the last of the soldiers. “I don’t think I could live with myself if I had gotten Kance sick.”

Khalad sighed. “Tea, Kance feels just as badly about what he did as you.”

“He has an odd way of showing it. He won’t even look at me.”

“He’s a bit awkward in that respect. Kance rarely loses his temper. That he was even this mad tells me he cares deeply for you and Kalen. Give him time.”

We’d arrived at one of the two tents where Khalad and Kalen had stored their belongings. Likh and I were sharing the second. Likh was waiting for us and cleared her throat. “Tea, would you mind if I switched places with Kalen?”



“Huh?” Khalad asked, though he was already blushing.

“Please do,” I said. “I was about to make the same suggestion anyway.”

“Thanks.” Likh shot the Heartforger an inviting, if a shade nervous, smile before disappearing inside our tent.

“So,” I continued once the asha had gone, “you and Likh, huh?”

Khalad was still red. “The morning at the Gorvekai’s…it wasn’t what you think.”



“That would be a shame, because if it was, then I couldn’t be any happier for you two. Why so embarrassed?”

“It isn’t like I’ve got much experience in relationships. I don’t want to move too fast. I don’t want to make Likh uncomfortable.”

From my vantage point, Likh was moving ten miles to his five, but I refrained from pointing that out. “She’s had a horrible crush on you for a while, Khalad.”

“You knew?!”

I shrugged sheepishly. “Just talk with her. Don’t assume what she wants. Don’t make the same mistake Kalen and I made. As I recall, you pointed out nearly the same issues about us once.”

Khalad smiled faintly. “I suppose it’s easier to judge when you’re on the outside looking in, isn’t it? Thanks. I’ll go see if she needs help.”

He stepped into our tent. I was about to enter the adjoining quarters but stopped short when I saw King Kance heading my way.

“Wait.” There were no accusations in his voice, but there was no offer of reconciliation either. “Tea, if I might have a word with you?”

I nodded, not knowing what to say. Kance gestured toward the campsite, where the generals and soldiers sat for their noonday meal. I followed his lead.



He said nothing for several minutes, content to walk in silence, but my nerves weren’t getting any calmer the longer he was quiet. “Where is Kalen?” I finally blurted out.

“He’s talking strategy with General Lode and the other Deathseekers. Given his experience with the Faceless, I thought it best to trust his judgment.” He glanced at me. “I hear that the two of you are together. My congratulations.”



“Thank you,” I mumbled, staring down at my boots. It wasn’t all that long ago when I was congratulating him on his engagement to Princess Inessa and wishing it were otherwise. It was strange how a year could change everything.

We passed a few more soldiers eating their rations and trading stories around the fire.

“And where is Fox?” he asked.

“He’s in Kion.”

“I’m surprised. You’ve always been inseparable.”

“Things change, Your Majesty.”

He was sharp enough to take the hint. “Would you like to know how my father is doing, Lady Tea?”

“How—how is your father, Your Majesty?”

“Dead.” I was taken aback by his calm. “He died two weeks ago, shortly before we left Odalia. I swore all my trusted counsel and generals to secrecy, and I intend to make the announcement once I return.”

“But…Your Majesty. How—”

“I killed him.” His admission was brutally simple. “I was surprised by how easy it was. All it took was a pillow over his face while he ranted and raved. Khalad was right. He was not always a good father, Lady Tea. He seemed strong and imposing, his reputation towering over me since I was a child, and that never went away as I grew older.

“Once, when I was very young, he had me watch while he put down a horse who’d been mortally injured. ‘If you must kill something,’ he told me, ‘then you must do it cleanly and quickly. Put it out of its misery without causing more pain.’ It was almost like that—putting him out of his agony.”