Page 12 of A Kingdom of Lies

I spluttered a laugh, feeling heat rise up into my cheeks. “You cannot seriously look at me and point the blame. Your son died because he tried to kill me. How is one life more important than another?”

“Because Tarron wasmine.”

Silence grew taut between us. Not even the winds dared make a sound. Doran’s face turned scarlet, his eyes bulging as spit dribbled down his chin. For a moment, through his cracks, I saw a man gripped with desperation and madness. It soon faded as he recollected himself, rubbing the back of his hand across his lips to clear them of spittle.

“Just as my mother, Julianna, was mine?” I asked, voice cold as the magic that lurked within my skin. “That didn’t stop you from killing her though, did it? You have spent days demanding Erix’s return for whatever sick actions you believe will bring you peace. However, I haven’t once petitioned for you to be brought to me. I’m beginning to think that’s what I now want… The same revenge you sought with Erix? I wish to have with you.”

“You are a pathetic excuse for a king,” Doran hissed, the whites of his eyes bloodshot. “I will not be threatened by someone whose balls are no more impressive than hairless plums.”

“And yet I’m an Icethorn. And the last one, thanks to you.” I hardly cared for the spittle that’d shot towards me as Doran spoke, not as I focused on keeping the wave of rage within me.

“Meaningless blood,” Doran shouted. “A waste of power and potential.”

I waved him off, ready to test Altar’s boundaries and destroy Doran where he stood. “Calm down, you old fool, before you tire yourself out.”

Doran could hardly keep a breath in. His large, protruding chest rose and fell, tugging at the worn buttons across his jacket. “You want to bargain for your father? Then bargain.”

I turned around the space, arms wide. “I have nothing but a promise.”

“And pray tell, what is this promise? More concealed threats?”

“That depends on your answer, Doran,” I said, shrugging. “If you don’t return my father, then Iwillhunt you down. In this realm, or the next. Do not be the hand that causes me to lose the final thing I have left. Do not be the reason I break. There is nothing…” I spat this time, hissing through clenched teeth. “Nothingmore frightening than a man with nothing left to lose.”

Doran narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lip twisting in a sadistic smile. “Ah, a matter we both agree on.”

If it was not for the ominous power that hummed through Welhaven, I would’ve unleashed my ice upon him. But Welhaven whispered its warning, cautioning me to keep it in with nothing but a feeling.

Was Altar watching? Waiting for me to step out of line and unleash his wrath upon me in return?

Even with that thought niggling in the back of my mind, I knew I’d still make the first move against Doran if I had to. No matter the consequence. If my father’s life required my action, I would do it.

“You must wish to see your father terribly,” Doran sang, expression melting from one of fury to serenity in a moment. “I cannot disagree with you, Robin. It does not feel right to be the one to keep you from someone you love. Perhaps I will give him to you after all.”

“More tricks?” I asked.

“No,” Doran said. “I have not the time for tricks.”

I flinched back as Doran raised a hand before him, splitting the air in half until the spindle of light allowed for a hunched body to be pushed through. My breath caught in my throat, my world falling away from me as I lost myself to the visitor.

I watched, frozen to the spot, as my father was deposited on the ground at my feet. In that moment I cared little for what Doran saw me as. The walls of confidence I had built crumbled as I threw myself to the ground, cradling my father with gentle hands.

“An Oakstorm is loyal to their word,” Doran mumbled, watching as I searched my father’s pale face. His skin was cold, yet slick to the touch, so terribly pale that I could see hints of his veins beneath.

“Why?” I looked up through blurry eyes as tears of anger threatened to escape with a single blink. “All of this, all of your requests and demands, and you give him to me so willingly. I don’t believe it could be that easy. Idon’ttrust you.”

“Then you are smarter than I gave you credit for.” Doran chewed on his lower lip, flashing yellow-stained teeth. He raised a hand and weakly flicked two fingers in signal for the masked guard to stand by his side

“What do you want, Doran?”

“I have everything I require.”

“Ro… Robin,” Father croaked, distracting me. “L–leave.”

I looked down to him, relaxing my features, as I cupped his bearded cheek. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

“My Robin…” Father gargled on his words. Before my eyes he was slipping in and out of consciousness. I was no empath, but I sensed his pain and suffering as if it was my own.

“Touching, truly,” Doran cooed, his face pinched in disgust as he watched us. “Seeing father and son reunited. Something I never believed possible after Tarron’s life was taken from me.”

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