Page 5 of Shattered Veil
I keep my voice light.“Of course. Why wouldn’t you visit your only son out of fatherly love and concern?”
His eyes narrow and I know I’ve struck a nerve. King Cillian is a lot of things, a loving parent is not one of them.
“Remember who you are speaking to, boy,” he warns.
I bite back a smart ass reply, forcing my face into the picture of contrition.“My apologies, Your Majesty. I meant no disrespect.”
King Cillian’s gaze slides to Lochan and Tiernan.
“And your... companions?” His tone drips with disdain.
Lochan grew up playing in the palace with me. He’s seen my father’s temper on more than one occasion.
“My friends,” I say firmly.“You remember Lochan. And this is Tiernan.”
“Ah yes, I remember your father well, Lochan. A loyal subject. I’m sure that runs in the family.” King Cillian pauses, lips curling.“And tell me, son, have you been keeping up with your studies? No, shall we say, distractions?”
Shit. He knows. But how much?
I force a lazy grin.“Oh, you know me, Father. Always the dedicated student.”
His lips thin.“Indeed. Make sure you channel that dedication in the right direction. Keep your wits about you. I hear this year’s Harrowing is imminent.” King Cillian peers at me sharply.“Always a spectacular event. Unfortunate that not all the students make it through.
My heart pounds.
If my father thinks I’m going to give anything away about my feelings for Brigid, he obviously doesn’t know me at all. I learned from the best to never give up any information to the enemy. Is my father the enemy? I’m starting to think so. In fact, I’ve thought so for a long time now.
I see Tiernan’s posture stiffen as he too clocks the thinly veiled threat towards Brigid. We’ve already completed the Harrowing, but she hasn’t.
I lock eyes with my father, refusing to back down.“I’ll keep that in mind. Any other fatherly advice you’d like to impart?”
He smirks.“Just remember your duty, Callen. To your family. To the crown.”
Duty. What a fucking joke.
“Always,” I reply, voice dripping with false sincerity.
King Cillian nods curtly and sweeps from the room without another word. The door slams behind him, echoing in the sudden silence.
I turn to Lochan and Tiernan, jaw clenched. Tiernan’s eyes are dark, his fists balled at his sides. Lochan’s face is a mask, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. The mention of his father has put him on edge.
“Well, that was fucking ominous,” Lochan growls.
I laugh humorlessly.“You think? Seems dear old dad is rattled by something big enough for him to get off that golden throne of his.”
“Brigid,” Tiernan says quietly.
My stomach twists. He’s right. This is all about Brigid, always has been. And I’ll be damned if I let him touch her.“So what’s the plan?”
Lochan’s eyes narrow.“Plan? There’s no plan. You saw what happened. If the Council’s involved, nowhere’s safe.”
Tiernan steps closer, voice low.“We could take her off-campus. Hide her.”
My mind races. It’s tempting, but...“Too risky. They’d notice. Track us.”
“Then what?” Tiernan starts pacing.
I pace, running a hand through my hair. Fuck. What would they do to her? Imprison her? Worse?
