Page 16 of The King is Dead
He looked down, then around the room, his frown deepening.
“Don’t worry, Gall,” I said, putting a hand to his shoulder. “I know it’s a bit of a shock but just breathe.”
“Where am I?”
“You’re at my… house,” I said, stumbling. “I mean, my estate. I brought you here while you were sleeping so you could be safe.”
“Safe? Why? I’m supposed to be keeping you sa—”
And then his eyes bulged, and he dropped the waterskin. It sloshed to the floor splashing the female Wielder who yelped, but he didn’t even notice. He stood up and immediately wobbled. I caught him around his waist and braced, but he was so heavy. Harris grabbed his shoulder and arm, and together we got him upright.
“Gall. You need to sit down until you’re—”
“Yilan, we have to go,” he said, his head darting left and right. He caught sight of my soldiers at the door and his eyes widened. “Oh no, oh shit. Yilan, they know. They came. They heard that I—”
“No! Gall! That’s not—you’re here at my home. Listen!”
He eyed me warily as I caught my breath and softened my tone. “Gall… I didn’t tell you everything about… about myself before. Not because I don’t trust you. But because… because I am aQueen.I have an entire people I have to protect. These people all serve me.They’re here tohostyou, to greet you. The soldiers are my men. They follow me everywhere. It’s annoying, but that is life when you have a whole Kingdom.” I tried to smile to let him see that everything would be well. “I’m sorry if this scared you, but you don’t need to talk about… anything you don’t want to. I promise.” I ended slowly, praying he’d taken it all in.
Gall was staring at me, blinking, obviously confused. His forehead pinched to lines, and he was beginning to shake.
“Where’s Papa?” he asked hoarsely, and my heart just about broke because he sounded like he was five years old.
“He’s here, too. He’s just… resting in a room that’s high up in a tower. I’ll take you to him later, I promise.”
I prayed fervently that Gall wouldn’t push. I had planned to take him to see Melek so Melek could see that he was safe. But I knew it would be tricky with the bars and with Gall still not clear about the rape and—
“This isn’t good,” Gall said quietly, his voice thin. He pressed his lips together hard and looked around the room again, his big eyes going wider and wider. “This isn’t good, Yilan. It’s not good. It’s not good. It’s not—”
“Hey, hey, Gall, look at me.Look at me.”
He did, reluctantly, but his lips were still moving, repeating the words over and over. I cupped his precious, handsome face and pulled it down, so he looked me right in the eye.
“You’re safe here. Melek asked me to bring you. Do you understand? You’re in a different country. No one knowsanyof the Nephilim here, but now they’re going to know you and your father. I know it’s scary, but you’re safe. I promise.”
Gall’s frown deepened, and his chest heaved faster and faster. “I don’t know, Yilan. This doesn’t seem good. There’s so many strangers, and they’re so small—”
“You should stop touching him and let him move. He’ll be less afraid if he can move.”
I startled and Gall grunted. I whirled to see Istral standing behind Turo at the door and calling past his shoulder. She waved at me, but then Gall straightened behind me and her eyes grew very wide.
“Istral, you aren’t supposed to be here!” I hissed.
Harris started towards her as Turo whipped around and reached for her like he would forcibly usher her out.
“Wait—wait!”Harris called, then looked at me, tipping her head towards Istral. “That might be exactly what we need.”
I took a deep breath. “Turo, let her go. Let her come in.”
Turo whirled back to me. “You can’t be—”
He cut off at my glare. I’d always allowed him to question me in private. But here in front of the guards?
With a final warning scowl, I turned back to Gall. He was still standing next to bed and swaying a little, but his eyes were as wide as I’d ever seen them. And locked on my sister.
I swallowed hard. “Gall, that’s my sister, Istral. I told you about her. Do you remember?”
He nodded slowly without taking his eyes off her. But he didn’t speak.
