Page 119 of Shardless

Finally, a flicker of doubt, perhaps even relief, flashed in Kato’s eyes. “Where is she now? I’d like to speak to her.”

“That’s not possible.”

Kato raised a single brow, his face becoming impassive. Unreadable. “And why is that?”

“Because she’s gone,” Skye replied, allowing just a small amount of his own worry to surface. Kato would no doubt hear the spike in his heart rate, the slight elevation in his breathing. “She volunteered to go to the relay in Plum.”

Taking careful, slow steps, Kato rounded the desk, coming to stand next to Skye. “That’s suicide. You said it yourself.”

“And that’s what I told her,” Skye replied witha sigh. At least that part was true. True enough that he hoped Kato wouldn’t see the lie behind what he said next. “But her reasoning was valid. She’s quick, she knows the way, and since she’s coated in several layers of concealment magic, she doesn’t smell like aether. She won’t attract beasts or shades. All in all, she’s the perfect candidate.”

Kato was quiet as he stared through the hazy fog just outside the window. “Do you actually expect me to believe that you sent that girl to her death? Taly?YourTaly? Don’t play me for a fool, Skye. A blind man could see what she means to you."

“We are all having to make sacrifices right now,” Skye interjected quietly, letting every ounce of anguish he currently felt leach into his voice. “And this is not one that I made lightly.”

A pause, barely half a beat, and then, “Of course, I…” Kato shifted his weight, sensing the genuine heartbreak behind his brother’s words. “I’m sorry.” It looked as though he might say something else. His mouth opened, and his eyes took on a faraway look. Then, thinking better of it, he gave a half-hearted jerk of his head as he turned to go.

Only when the door clicked closed did Skye finally allow himself to breathe again.

What the hell had he just done? How much would that lie cost him? Sure, he had covered for Taly before… but this? This was a betrayal to his honor, a renouncement of his duty. She had turned against them. She had somehow become a part of something that had taken thousands of lives. Why else would she have just disappeared after Kato questioned her?

Pulling her note from his pocket, Skye ran hisfinger along the few lines of script.

I have to make this right.

No. There had to be something that he wasn’t seeing. He refused to believe that Taly was willingly complicit in this nightmare. After all, this was the same girl that hadn’t been able to kill a rabbit. There’s no way she’d be able to take an innocent life. And if Kato had been right about the memory alteration spells, who knew what else could have been done to her. She might not have a choice. She might not even know the full extent of what she was doing.

That day in the training yard, when you discharged the dagger in my hand, that was when I figured out that… that’s when it started.That’s what she had told him earlier that morning in the library.

What if someone had gotten to her? She had started going into town more often on her own last year, so it was possible. If that was the case, then maybe he hadn’t really hurt her when he discharged the dagger. Maybe he just destabilized the enchantments that had been placed upon her—just enough that she had become partially aware that something had been done to her. Enough to try to run. To spare them—Skye, Ivain, and Sarina—from something she didn’t understand.Thatsounded more like the girl he knew.

With a heavy sigh, Skye sunk down into the high-backed desk chair that had been rolled off to the side. The leather creaked, and the casters groaned as he leaned back. It was pure speculation. Without examining her himself, he had no way to prove Taly’s innocence. Nevertheless, he clung to it. He needed whateversmall sliver of hope he could find. Taly was his friend. Hisbestfriend. But this risk that he was taking went far beyond that. Beyond friendship, beyond a few stolen kisses or some fledgling infatuation.

Infatuation. That word gave him pause.

Shards, he thought, his hand coming to rest on his chest, rubbing at the strange aching void that now seemed to linger there.I’m an idiot. How could he have not seen this? How could he have gone this long without figuring it out? This was Taly, and he’d have to be stupid to think that his feelings for her could ever be anything as insignificant and shallow asinfatuation.

Something clicked into place. Something he’d known for a while now but had refused to admit to himself. The lie he had just told made it impossible to continue to overlook this glaringly obvious truth.

“Holy shit,” Skye muttered as he continued to stare out the window with unseeing eyes. “I’m in love with her.” He had been for a long time.

He still clutched her note in his hand.

Don’t come looking for me.

Her final request. One that he would not honor. Because he was going to find her. And he was going to help her. Then, when he figured out who had dared to lay a hand on what was his to protect, he was going to kill them. With their last dying breath, he would make sure they understood the gravity of the mistake they had made when they had come to his island and brought harm to his Taly.

Chapter 25

-A letter from Sir Bryer, Knight of the Crystal Guard, to his son, Aiden Bryer

The 32ndday of the month Yule, during the 235thyear of the Empty Throne

Son,

I’m afraid I’ve been called away on a mission of the utmost importance and will be unable to return home as planned. We believe someone connected to the Genesis Shards may be in grave danger, and I’ve been chosen to oversee the escort and protection detail.

I know this news couldn’t have come at a worse time. I too am feeling the loss of your aunt and baby cousin, and I’m sorry that I’m not able to be there to comfort you. Given how close you and Aimee were with little Rin, I’m sure this must be devastating.However, as you well know, members of the Crystal Guard carry a heavy burden. It is our sole duty to serve and protect the Genesis Lords, and I am honor-bound to uphold my oath. I hope that one day, you’ll understand.

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