Page 123 of Rising Out of the Darkness
The tavern owner, and fellow Rebellion member, slid us all a pint of ale before heading back into the kitchen. He had closed for the afternoon to give us a chance to speak in private.
“Hey Brand, would you mind giving Warren and I minute alone?”
“Of course, I’ll just be outside if you need me.” He swiped his ale and exited out the front door, leaving the two of us alone.
Warren took a long drag of ale before setting it down on the bar with enough force to make some of the foam slosh over the side. “How’s my daughter?” His voice was low, strained with concern.
I froze.
Even after I had planned for this conversation for three days straight, every word, every counterargument, it didn’t matter. In that moment everything went blank, and the words shriveled into dust on my tongue.
“You alright, son?”
I hadn’t been prepared for the punch to the gut that I would feel when he called me “son.” Normally, hearing it come from him filled me with a sense of pride. Except for today. Today, it left me curled over the bar, trying to extinguish the uneasy feeling of guilt rising within me. Mustering a cough, I pretended to have something stuck inside my throat. I grabbed the ale in front of me and downed the entirety of its contents.
Warren patted my back, and all I could think about was that in a few moments that hand might be wrapped around my neck.
“She’s doing well, Warren.” I spoke meekly, a tone I never used. If Warren wasn’t curious before, he was now. Trying to cover up my panic, I pulled out the stack of letters from Lena that Eloise had taken from her room.
“Here, these are for you. She’s been writing to you every day since she’s left. I thought you’d like to have them.”
He assessed me with narrowed eyes. The stool creaked in the silence as he leaned back and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “She’s been with you for two weeks and all you have to tell me is she’s doing well, and a handful of letters?”
Hells.This was not going how I had hoped.
“Elena struggled with control of her gift in the beginning. The strength of her dynamis is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. She’s learning how to trust in herself every day. Watching her build that confidence has been enthralling. You’ve raised an incredible woman, Warren.” Licking my lips, I averted my eyes to my empty mug, away from the ice of Warren’s glare.
“No,” he fumed.
“Warren, I can explain?—”
“No!” he shouted, slamming his fist on the counter so hard that his mug rolled off and crashed onto the floor. “I told you to stay away from her, Declan!”
He leaned forward, clawed my tunic and pulled me towards him. My hands wrapped around his wrist as I tried to pull him off, but his fists only constricted more around the fabric.
“You’re dangerous! Hells, Declan, you could hurt her at any moment.” He freed a hand, clawing it through the scruff of his beard. “If Alastor ever found out—the bastard would use you to hurt her. You know that! Yet you still pursued her.”
“I know.” Emotion caused my voice to tremble. “But I love her, Warren. None of this was on purpose, and believe me when I say I tried my best to fight it.”
Dissatisfaction rumbled within his chest.
“I’m aware of the danger that looms over us, Warren, but I love her despite it. Elena has made me feel alive again. She’s given me hope that I’m worthy of happiness. Those alone are more powerful than the dynamis that dwells inside of me. I’ll keep on fighting for this kingdom, and for her, because with her by my side I truly believe we have a chance to return the realm back into the light.”
Warren shoved me off the stool. His own fell underneath him as he leapt from it and pointed a finger towards me.
“Warren, she’s my?—”
“You’re right,” he interrupted, lowering his arm.
My breath hitched as I hoped he was going to allow our relationship, but his features expressed something entirely different.
“Youaregoing to protect this kingdom, as will I, because that’s our duty. We’ve followed you, even after everything…” His eyes lowered to my neck, and I rubbed the scar of the curse that seared under his gaze. “You have a duty to lead this Rebellion, and to take care of the long list of responsibilities that fall under that role. From this day forward, my daughter will not be anywhere near that list.”
My body stilled. “Warren…”
He turned around and stormed toward the door. Just before setting foot outside, he gripped the edge of the door frame as he turned around once more to face me.
“Do your duty. Protect and train my daughter, but that is all. This thing you think is love endsnow.”
