Page 85 of A Kingdom Restored

Lachlan gave a faint smile. “The physician is concerned,” he said. “And to be frank, so am I. I can tell something isn’t right. I don’t think it will heal fully.”

“What, ever?” Heath asked, dismayed.

Lachlan looked troubled. “At first I thought it was just an ordinary sword injury, albeit a particularly painful one. But after a couple of hours, the pain settled enough that I noticed my arm was growing increasingly more numb, further down from the wound.” He pointed to the bandage on the inside of his upper arm. “Even my hand…” He hesitated, then said in a rush. “I haven’t been able to move my hand properly since the injury.”

“But that was days ago!” said Heath, alarmed. “And it’s your sword arm!”

“I’m aware,” said Lachlan heavily. Silence fell between them as Heath thought through all the possible ramifications for Lachlan’s life. For the kingdom, even. No wonder King Matlock wanted to exact punishment on the Record Master himself.

“I’d best let you go and make preparations,” Lachlan said at last.

His eyes flicked to the doorway, and Heath realized Merletta was hovering on the other side, out of hearing, but within sight.

“I’m sorry about my father’s decision regarding Merletta, Heath,” Lachlan said.

Heath shrugged. “Honestly, it’s the least of my problems at present.”

Lachlan nodded. “I’m reasonable enough to understand your reluctance to tell my father about your magic, given everything going on,” he said quietly. “But I confess, I wish you’d been honest with me.”

“Maybe I should have been,” Heath acknowledged. He smiled wearily at his cousin. “For what it’s worth, I have no more secrets now.”

“None whatsoever?” Lachlan’s eyes darted again to Merletta.

“If you’re talking about the fact that I’m desperately in love with Merletta, the answer is still the same,” Heath said evenly. “That’s not a secret, as Percival has already pointed out.”

Lachlan was clearly taken aback by the candid reply. “What will you do?” he asked, after a moment of silence. “She’s been exiled from the kingdom, and my father isn’t likely to bend on that anytime soon.”

“I don’t know,” said Heath. “That’s a problem for tomorrow, and today has plenty of its own.”

Lachlan nodded, and Heath hurried to join the others.

“Heath, I’m not just leaving the Record Master here,” said Merletta, the moment he reached her. “I understand that your king is angry with him, but his real crimes are against my people.”

“I agree,” Heath said. “But I don’t want him going anywhere until I understand why he was trying to cause trouble between the power-wielders and the crown. I think the first step is speaking to him ourselves.”

“How are we going to do that?” Percival chimed in. “He’s been moved somewhere secure, remember? We have no idea where that is.”

“No idea?” Heath scoffed. “You underestimate how invested I’ve become in the Record Master. With Laura’s and your magic, it shouldn’t be a problem.” He closed his eyes, drawing on his siblings’ power and focusing all his attention on the hated face of the man who’d tried to kill Merletta some half a dozen times by now.

“Huh,” he said, emerging again. “I had no idea there was a smaller dungeon hidden under the far side of the public garden. “He looks uncomfortable in there, so that’s something, at least.”

“You can really see that?” Percival demanded. “Just…right now, from where you’re standing?”

Heath nodded.

“Did you…did you watchmein the dungeons?”

“All the time,” Heath responded promptly.

Percival made a face. “Well, that’s a bit—”

“Unnerving?” Heath grinned unashamedly, almost giddy with the relief of having his brother back. “Good.”

Merletta rolled her eyes, although she was smiling, too. “Let’s go,” she said.

The group made their way out of the castle, moving across the gardens with purpose. When they reached a set of semi-overgrown stairs leading underground, Percival shot Heath a look of respect. Apparently he hadn’t been entirely convinced of his brother’s skill until it had been proven.

There was a guard visible at the bottom of the stairs, and Heath paused. No doubt the man had orders not to let anyone past.

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