Page 43 of War Hour

Torryn’s voice shouts in my mind, and I wince in surprise.

Lord Bralas smirks, seemingly thinking I’m cowering in fear from his presence.He puffs out his chest.

Lord Gennady’s voice cuts through the raised voices. “We will not decide on this today. Lord Drytas will arrive for his judgment hearing in a couple of days. We will hear more on this then and will give Drytas the opportunity to defend himself against these claims. Meeting adjourned.”

Torryn trailsas they lead me to my room, face hard and detached. A mile of difference compared to the man who had nearly cracked a smile among his own court earlier today.

Following the meeting, I tried to pull Torryn aside to ask him what happens now. I had expected things to go much easier. Expected them to hold some merit in what Torryn and I have said.

Had Torryn foreseen their reaction? He knows them better than I.

When directed to a room, I nod, entering without question. At least I’m being treated as a guest and not a prisoner within the capital.

Stepping into the room, I note its size above anything else. The farthest wall has wide windows showing nothing but a dark void in the dead of night. The space has more than I could ask for, and I turn to thank my escorts before noticing Torryn, whose body fills the doorway.

As he approaches me, he leans closer. “I’m giving you this back.” He forces a heavy metal object into my hand.

I glimpse the hilt of my dagger. Even with my powers, the dagger offers a sense of relief. Stepping closer, I use Torryn’s body to block me as I conceal the blade in my waistband. Looking up at him, I send him a grateful look.

Where had he kept it while being searched by the guards?

“Trusting me not to have it at your throat again?” I murmur in a teasing tone.

Torryn’s lip twitches, and I take it as a victory.

“More like trusting you’ll have a good reason if you do.”

When a throat clears behind him, Torryn hurries out his last words. “Keep it with you, but keep it concealed. Don’t speak of Valor with anyone. And, most of all, don’t trust anyone.”

Looking deeply into his dark-brown eyes, I ask, “Anyone?”

“Anyone.”

He stands close. Close enough that I feel hot breath fan across my face. It reminds me of my panic attack in Falland.

How he had promised he could help.

Now I only hope I was right to believe him.

He pivots back, whispering, “Were those Lord Drytas’s exact words? The wielder of all courts’ power bit?”

Taken off guard by the question, I just nod, brows furrowed. “Why?"

Torryn shakes his head, waving off my question before stepping further into the hall, allowing me to see those who still stand just outside. The guards look away as if having caught us in a private moment, but Lord Gennady only watches with curiosity stirring in his gaze.

“Excellent. Well, Lysta, I will send someone in the morning to show you around. Get you acquainted with the capital. Do sleep well.”

I nod before slowly closing the door. Stomping further into the room, I let my footfalls carry out to the hall. After a moment’s pause, I sneak back to the door. Leaning in close, I focus, listening for retreating footsteps.

Several feet move away from the door, the hall growing quieter.

Until voices sound from just outside.

“Is there a reason she is being separated from my court?” Torryn asks, his voice a monotone drone. When no one responds for an awkward beat, Torryn continues, “I notice she’s staying in the tower furthest from my own.”

Someone sighs—Lord Gennady, who remains with Torryn outside of my quarters.

“Torryn, this is unprecedented for us. If what you say is true, then Lysta’s testimony needs to stand on its own two feet. I will not assume you are oblivious to your court’s reputation—or yours, for the matter. So, it is in our best interests if we maintain some separations. The argument she was coerced will be put on the table, and we must be able to negate that with what we can. I know you understand that.”

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