Page 74 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

Torin watched his mother brush his brother’s hair with her hand again. Arlo moved to stand beside Rhea, and Breighly and Artem took a step back, giving the family space.

Kellen’s rare eyes flashed with something that Torin knew all too well before he said, “I fear that if I don’t say something now, I will be responsible for the bloodshed that is going to happen in this kingdom. I cannot bear that alone, Mother. You must understand that.”

His mother’s face turned pale before she lowered her hand from his hair. “Please, baby, I know you are scared—”

“What are you talking about? What happened in the entertainment hall, Kellen? I thought you had been attacked by the Dark Army or some sort of underworld magic.” Torin’s skin prickled as he found himself walking a few steps forward. “But there was nothing to be seen. Why do I get the feeling that I am the only one who doesn’t know what is going on here?”

Kellen’s eyes, one blue and one green, looked up at him from where he lay soaked in his own sweat. He drew in a breath, his eyes shutting briefly. “I need to tell you something, not only as my brother, but as my commander.”

“You don’t,” Naya cut in. “You don’t need to say a word, Kellen.”

Emara nervously shifted near the fireplace, and Gideon also took a step forward.

Rhea lingered respectfully at the end of his bed. “Kellen, listen to your mother’s words carefully.”

Torin shifted and placed a hand to his head. “What in the underworld is going on?”

“Kellen, give it some thought,” his mother whispered desperately. “Please give it more thought.”

He reached out for her hand as he lay back on the pillow. “I have had years to think it through, Mother. I stood on Torin’s side at dawn because he is not our father. I trust him and so should you.”

The words hit Torin like a boulder, sweeping away his breath and crushing his heart.

I trust him.

With what?

“I do, my love,” his mother whispered back, unable to look Torin’s way.

“Then there should be no fear.”

“I will protect you, Kellen,” Emara’s lyrical voice said. “I support your choice.”

Torin turned to see her standing with hands clasped nervously together, her eyes a dark shimmer under the dim light of night. Torin glanced across to Gideon, whose face was wholly blank. His brother’s emerald eyes met his own and he frowned a little. It told Torin all he needed to know.

He wasn’t in on this secret either.

Fucking secrets.

“You need to answer me, and quickly,” Torin said firmly. “What do I need to hear?”

Was it so bad that the room had flooded with silence to prepare him for what was to come? Even his mother had stopped begging Kellen not to speak, and her trembling hands clenched her skirt.

He hadn’t thought much about what the first day of being the commander would bring, but this outdid any expectation.

A battle at dawn, an engagement, and now a secret that threatened bloodshed. What next, Veles knocking on the door of the Tower for a visit?

Shit, he better not wish that into existence.

Kellen sat up a little. “Once I tell you, if you command me to step out of the hunting team and into another role, I will understand. Or even if you have to exile me—”

“Exile you?” Torin was in disbelief at his words. “I can assure you, I will never exile you unless you are a threat to me, Emara, or the clan.”

“Well, it is for you to decide if I am a threat to the clan or not.” Kellen swallowed, and bravery took up residence in his eyes. “But I cannot keep this secret to myself any longer, not when we are all in danger.” His gaze scanned the room before it found Torin again. “I am a True Dreamer, Commander.”

“A what?” Torin asked, not sure if his hearing was playing up. He had been punched in the head a few times today, and hearing someone address him as commander was still overwhelming.

“I am a True Dreamer, Commander Blacksteel.” Kellen’s words lay like concrete in the room.

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