Page 34 of The Last Wish of Bristol Keats
The tick he had forced from his mind.
And the faint scales that continued to spread across her back. The scales she didn’t know about yet.
He was going to lose her. One way or another, he was going to lose her.
“No. We’ll figure out something else. We’ll—”
“I don’t have just one family to worry about anymore. I have two. My family in the mortal world, and the family I’ve made here. My decision is made. It’s the only way.”
CHAPTER 25
Good work, Cully,” Tyghan said. “Especially on such short notice.”
He walked around the table in Lir Rotunda examining the six hilts, each studded with three small rubies—the mark of first-year knights. They also had the rare addition of a blue diamond, recognition for exceptional service. Their beautifully crafted silver scabbards lay beside them.
Cully lifted the smallest sword, Rose’s, testing its weight, which Tyghan still hadn’t bothered to do. “And yet you don’t seem pleased.”
“What? Of course I’m pleased,” he answered. Following Cully’s lead, he lifted another sword, turning it in the light and admiring its craftsmanship. He set it down and went on to the next. “Just . . . a lot on my mind.”
“The funeral?”
A loud clock ticked in Tyghan’s head.Today. Today after the funeral. He had immediately sent another message to the Lumessa last night, demanding a meeting with her before she met with Bristol. Neither the Lumessa nor the Sisters had replied. Yet. Would he be forced to go pound on the impenetrable doors of Celwyth Hall? And fend off her wolves? The fact that he was king meant nothing to them.
So yes, besides the funeral, Bristol’s pending tick removal and memories of the last dismal attempt to remove it, keeping his brother under wraps, Maire’s newly discovered ease at opening portals, and the Choosing Ceremony—oh gods, and now a wedding—his mind was a constant blur of motion.
And Kierus. Kierus always loomed in his thoughts. When he saw Kasta that morning, she only nodded to indicate it was done. One month for Kierus would be an eternity, but it would also keep him out of reach of the council. They would never know he was released. No one would know but him and Kasta.
Tyghan understood now why Bristol had begged for a single evening of stars and peace—such a small request, and he hadn’t given it to her. He wanted to beg the gods for one himself now.
But instead, he only nodded at Cully, truly looking at his face for the first time. Grief still rimmed his eyelids. It was Glennis who had taken him under her wing when he joined the squad. He was only eighteen then, and Glennis would pinch his cheek and call him their fresh-faced buckling. “Glennis’s gear is gathered?” Tyghan asked. “And her sword?”
Cully paused, swallowing hard. “Yes, and the site prepared. I still—”
“I’ll take care of the rest. Why don’t you go find Ivy and see if she needs help with anything.”
His face brightened. “Yes, I’ll do that right away—”
The rotunda door swung open, slamming against the wall, and Sloan vaulted through it like a prodded bull. Sloan was the last person he wanted to see. Except for garrison meetings he had mostly managed to avoid Cael’s former First Officer. Apparently Tyghan’s luck had run out. “Why wasn’t I immediately informed about the king’s return?” Sloan shouted. “And why am I barred from his room? This is unacceptable, and I demand answers!”
Tyghan’s hackles rose. He would not tangle with Sloan today, not with so many other things to attend to. “Stand down, Sloan, and go about your duties. I don’t have time for your antics. You’ll get your answers when I decide.” Tyghan turned his attention back to the swords, but felt a hand grab his shoulder, roughly yanking him back around.
“You willmaketime.”
Tyghan looked from his partially torn sleeve to Sloan’s dark eyes that seethed with pent-up rage. “Go ahead. Take a swing,” Tyghan goaded him. “No weapons. No magic. That’s what you’ve wanted to do for months, isn’t it?”
Cully stepped forward to stop them. “Don’t. Not—”
But Sloan was already swinging. He clipped Tyghan in the jaw, sending him crashing back onto a chair, but Tyghan immediately rebounded, returning a blow to Sloan’s ribs. When Sloan doubled forward, Tyghan propelled him backward with a direct hit to his chin.
Cully lost track of the swings, punches, and curses from there. They were a swirling cloud of rage and fists, old grievances suddenly pushed to the forefront. But when they both finally staggered back, catching their breath, Tyghan had a bloody lip and Sloan a bloody nose.
Sloan bent over, his hands braced on his thighs, his chest heaving. “I am Cael’s First Officer, and you are no longer king. He’s back, and I should have been informed.”
Tyghan wiped his bloody mouth. “Your arrogance is astounding. Are you so desperate to be First Officer again that you don’t care if Cael is fit to rule? Just as long as you regain your former status? Is that all that matters to you? To be clear, I amstillking, and I will be until further notice.”
“You swore to relinquish the crown when he returned.”
“I already told you, he’s not fit. But I’ll tell you what, Sloan, even with our differences, I recognize that you’re a skilled knight and useful to Danu. I will lift the ban to his quarters for you only. Go see Cael. Have a nicelongvisit with him. And if, in all your ambitious wisdom, you still think he should be back on the throne, I’ll relinquish my crown. Now get out of my sight. Or shall we go another round?”
