Page 135 of Rook of Ruin
“I’m not joking.”
He eyes me coolly and drinks. “Then why did you take it?”
“I swear to you, Simon, I did not.” I set my whiskey down onto the desk, my voice choking. “I want a child with you. I want them to have your curls and your dimples but be like me in every other way.”
Simon’s mouth turns into a half smile. I’m trying so hard. Where is the Simon I met?
Satisfied I have eased the tension in the room, I continue, “What should we do about Callan?”
“Don’t worry about Callan. I have a plan,” he says almost dismissively.
I want to punch him; instead, I sit silently. Fury rolls off me, and Simon slams his glass down on the desk and runs a hand through his hair, before tossing a letter at me.
I pale as I read it. “All those people.”
“I’m sorry.” He sighs. “I don’t know about Tess or Zane. I’ve dispatched messengers to Acros to find out.”
“Thank you.” It’s the least he could do though. I don’t allow myself to mourn people I believe are still alive.
“Don’t thank me yet.” He rounds the desk and leans against it. “I can’t have you come with us. I need you to stay here with Milo, and I’m leaving Isle too. I can’t lose you.”
I swallow the words I want to say and nod instead.
Loud, boisterous laughter rings out from the garden, and we turn to watch Milo racing alongside the cook’s children.
Simon’s deep voice cracks. “I can’t lose him either.”
The days go by quickly, just the three of us spending time together. When it’s time for Simon and the majority of our warriors to leave, Milo and I ride with them to the edge of our estate. Brave warriors in black and silver pass us, mounted on beautiful Bethalian horses. I proudly sit on Sal while Milo sits confidently on his own horse.
Simon rides up to us, and Artho comes almost nose to nose with Sal. “I love you both.” He winks at us. “Have a good adventure.” I watch dimples form on his handsome face, his beard gone.
“Aeternus fidelis,” Milo says, and I repeat it. We place our fists to our hearts.
“Aeternus fidelis, my loves.” Simon’s dark brown eyes meet mine. He brings Artho around and leans over, giving me a brief kiss, but what he says next brings a cold fury to my heart. “Don’t you dare cry.”
I wasn’t going to cry. I may have felt like it, but I wasn’t. Washegoing to cry, and that’s why he said it? No. Although, if I didcry, not one warrior would think less of me for it. Simon smiles, and I plaster one on my face, wanting him to go. I’m confused, trying not to be angry, trying not to feel hurt at his parting words, but I am.
Red’s slight wave catches my eyes, and I nod to Red and Viper as they pass us. I move my head back to Simon, who is assessing me, and reach my hand out. He kisses and drops it, then gently nudges Artho, taking off to the front.
Isle brings her stallion up to me. “When you are ready, Ruin.” The meaning behind her words keeps me focused.
“Send out the messages,” I command. “And Isle, he should still be in Acros. If he isn't, I want him found.” She nods and leaves me quickly.
“Who needs to be found?” Milo asks while watching the last of our warriors leave.
“Violence, little love. We call him violence.”
Simon’s letter arrives late in the evening, only a day after he left for the northern border—a thin strip of Acros land separating Bethal from the Serus Mountains.
Tess and Zane. Two names, two friends, one whose life is gone forever. Simon’s letter explained that they fought with honor against the Malevolent. I wrap my arms around myself.
Despair enters my heart, and I allow it to linger while I make my vow to Tess, hoping she will hear me in the Heavens above. “I miss you. I’ll forever miss you, my friend, my love. Tess. I swear I will get vengeance for your death.”
Zane.If he dies from his injuries, Paul will—he will need me.
A calm sensation winds its way through my body, trying to take the despair from me. I fight it at first, and then like a warm hug, it takes my heartache. I hold on to it, desperate and sad.
“It’s beautiful.” I run my hand along the fabric. A gold circle with a pink ranunculus and a dagger running through makes me smile. The banner is my own. It will be what we carry along with the Bethalian flag. I copied it from the piece of paper I found in my room.
