Page 130 of What Fury Brings
She said, “You never should have touched them. Your children. Your wife. I avenge their pain with your death.”
And then she raised the man’s own sword high into the air with both hands and struck straight down, the point piercing through his neck.
Sanos could do nothing but stare. She could have used her own sword, but she hadn’t. She’d used the Kingsword, now Sanos’s sword, as if to give him more connection to this moment.
His massive, violent, horrible father was gone.
He raised his gaze and met Canus’s. His brother was too far for himto see his expression, but he knew it. He knew the princes all shared the same profound relief. Freedom. Joy, even.
“Tell them to open the gate,” Sanos said to Ydra. Then he ran down the steps of the wall. When the portcullis rose too slowly, he ducked under it, not stopping until he’d reached Olerra’s side.
She was swaying on her feet, so he wrapped her in his arms.
“You did it,” he said. The words may have been obvious, but his mind was still having a hard time processing the reality of Atalius’s death. “He’s gone.”
“Look at him,” Olerra said.
Sanos did.
His father’s mouth hung open from the effort of his last scream. His eyes were wide. The features that Sanos had feared and hated for so long were now still. Blood seeped around the sword at the dead king’s throat.
Sanos kept one arm around Olerra and drew the Kingsword from his father’s body with asquelch.
He raised his eyes to the waiting Brutish troops. They were leaderless. They were uncertain as to what to do now.
“I’ll be right back,” Sanos said.
Olerra nodded, nothing but trust in her eyes. He made sure she could stay on her feet before running toward the Brutes.
The armor-clad arms of his brothers felt cold against his skin, but he welcomed the hug they swallowed him in.
“She killed him,” Ikanos said.
“He’s gone,” Andrastus said.
“You’re alive,” Trantos said.
“You fucker,” Canus said. “We thought the worst had happened, but you’ve been here in Amarra getting sexed up all this time? Do you have any idea how miserable it’s been without you?”
“You don’t get to complain,” Andrastus said. “You’re not the one who’s been left alone with Father day in and day out.”
Sanos was so relieved to see them all intact. “Mother and Emorra?”
“They’re fine,” Canus said. “Perfectly fine back at the palace.”
To Canus, Sanos said, “I want you to ride home with all haste. Bring them here. Will you do that for me?”
“Yes, but why?”
“There’s not much time. I need you to get them out before word of Father’s death spreads.”
“All right.” Canus left without another word.
His father’s advisers approached.
“Sire, we should attack now,” one said. “She killed the king, and the gate is opened.”
“No,” Sanos said. “My father agreed to peace. Select a number of guards to accompany you within the gates. It’s time to begin real negotiations.”
