Page 24 of Deadly Maiden

The rest…I inhale, still shaky…these are brown with age, and from my parents. I cannot read those now. Perhaps I should, but I need space and privacy.

“Can I read what my father says?”

“Of course.”

Wyntre,

I am going to be okay, the doctor says. I haven’t much time to decide what to say to you but here goes.

I love you and will try to help you if I can. If you can contact me once things settle. Please?

Just stay out of danger. I wish I knew how you can do that. The key in the box is to Slaedorth Fortress. I am not sure what the raven was supposed to do but it may simply be a back-up in case no one collected the letters and key in your parents’ tent. They were always planning ahead, trying to see how to make sure you could be saved and given what was yours, if things went wrong. They knew the war might end them.

End them. The paper crinkles in my tightening grip.

I did not read your parents’ letter. I hope it was not necessary.

I recall there was a secret way to get the fortress to open its gates but without that secret and the key, it may be impenetrable. Ask the raven?

Since you now know your heritage. I advise you to learn the skills of that heritage. You will be accused of using it by your enemies anyway. Prepare yourself for that.

He means learn necromancy. But how?

I know little of it. I suggest two possibilities. One is the home of the bloodwielders. Some of their magik comes close to yours. Or so I heard. Two. Try a woman called Saphora. She isn’t a necromancer but has knowledge of it, I gather? She lives in Vancourter but I have no exact address. I trust her.

Good luck and may the Gods and your snarky attitude keep you well and happy. You have a wonderful life ahead of you.

Landos, your loving father.

A wonderful happy life. If only I was sure of this.

There are tears in my eyes, and I wipe them away before I look up. I fold the letter and slide it into the envelope.

“There is one more thing before you go to the storeroom and stables, Wyntre,” Thander intones. “Please consider this with all your intellect and bravery. Do not automatically reject this idea.”

Bravery? I tilt my head, puzzled. “Yes?”

“Allow him to enter!”

The door at my back creaks as it opens, and I hear a heavy tread.

Thander nods at whoever this is. The depth of my armchair means I have to lean out to see the new person. I crane my neck and glimpse boots, ride my way up this monstrous fae. Halfway up, I know who this is. My heart drops. Him?

That flamboyant hair and crooked smile on a wide-jawed face, with that broad nose and wickedly heated eyes—the flames are gone, but something hints of them. He makes my fingers itch for a dagger or similar.

Then I remember him naked, sprawled like a statue fallen to earth. I may be blushing.

“Wyntre, I know you have met him before.”

“What ishedoing here?” I don’t even try to keep the sarcasm and bitchiness from my tone. Caring for him while he was unconscious does not equal wanting him here, eyeing me like I’m some prize he won.

“I’m going to help you.”

“You wanted to arrest me and take me to…” I splutter, wave my hand, frustrated. “Tensorga?”

“That was a ruse.”

I turn back to the Master Thander. If I simply say what happened he will believe me. “I don’t want to go anywhere with him. He is not trustworthy. He stated exactly what I just said.”

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