Page 84 of What Fury Brings
An older man stood some paces away, addressing his guard. His hair was fully silver, lines creased at the corners of his eyes and along his neck. He must have been older than even Sanos’s father.
“Prince, Obar is deemed safe by the queen potential. Would you like to speak to him, or shall we have him move along?” The head of his guard was speaking to him.
Twice in quick succession, he was being asked a question. Given power to answer.
“I’ll speak with him.”
“You may,” the guard told Obar.
The older man walked easily and lowered himself onto the bench beside Sanos. His armband was made out of a black metal, and the stone appeared to be topaz.
“Obar,” Sanos said. “That doesn’t sound like an Amarran name.”
“It isn’t. I’m from Dyphankar. Like you, I was kidnapped and brought here to wed.”
Sanos was surprised by this. Surprised, and horrified. Here was a man who was still fit and energetic yet hadn’t managed to escape?
“How long have you been here?” Sanos asked. “Who is your wife?”
“Over forty years. My wife is Enadra, the former general, and Olerra’s mentor.”
Forty years.
Sanos had so many questions, but he started with “Why do you wish to speak to me?”
“Because I was once like you.”
“Are you here to tell me to give up hope now? Accept my lot?”
Obar crossed his legs at the ankles. “I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m sure your betrothed is doing that plenty.” His eyes shimmered with humor. “I just thought you might like to talk to someone who understands, even if you might not like my thoughts on the matter.”
“Do you care for the woman who took you?”
“I love Enadra more than my own life.”
Oh gods. This man had been brainwashed by the Amarrans. Sanos wished he’d never let him approach.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Obar said. “You think me mad. Swept up by this place. But let me tell you something. I was the second-born son of a nobleman in Dyphankar. I had no purpose. No trade. No land or money to inherit. When Enadra took me, I was furious. It took years before I realized that I went from having nothing to everything.
“She gave me a purpose. I wasn’t just a second-born son with nothing to do. I became a husband, a father, a friend to many here in the gymnasium. More important, though, she gave me love. It was a shock to come here. To learn the customs and accept them. But once I did, I was happier than I’d ever been.”
Sanos narrowed his eyes. “Did Olerra put you up to this?”
Obar laughed. “You’re much like I was, though I was no prince, so I won’t presume to know what you might be giving up to be here. I lost nothing, save my pride, and gained everything.” The older man stood. “I came on no one’s orders, Prince. Just know that I am here, if youseek a friend. Most of the men here will be too afraid to approach you, because no one wants Glen’s ire. She wouldn’t dare cross Enadra, however, when my wife is one of the four who holds the princess’s future in her hands. Good day.”
He left Sanos sitting there with more concerns than assurances. The prince pocketed his love letter and stood, suddenly needing movement. He walked aimlessly through the different rooms of the gymnasium.
But no matter where he went, the sweet scent of flowers permeated the air.
The guards left his side once the eunuchs were escorting him from the gymnasium. Without the threat of Glen’s consorts nearby, there was clearly no need of them.
Sanos was excited to go back to his rooms, and when he realized it was because he had those flowers waiting for him, he instantly became irritated. So engrossed was he that he didn’t notice right away when the eunuchs veered off course. He was in a section of the palace he didn’t recognize. When a door was opened and Sanos was shoved inside alone, he didn’t know what to make of it.
“Leave us,” a voice said, and the door behind him shut, taking all light with it.
Sanos turned every which way, looking for the source. He thought he might recognize the tone, but he couldn’t be sure.
A candle lit, revealing the face of Olerra’s cousin.
