Page 19 of Immortal Sentry

Miisov inclined his head. “I concede the point. The fact remains that your time with the prince is ending. He must come with me.”

The prince?

“No! I won’t have it! How can I trust you? King Lothan died, and his heir with him. Where were you? I’ll tell you where. Playing sycophant to the usurper. It’s not escaped my notice that he didn’t have you killed like he did anyone else loyal to King Lothan. You should have given your own life to spare your king’s.”

Miisov answered far too evenly. Had he not noticed the proximity of Kene’s hand to her belt knife? “Baroness Kennestone, you know why I couldn't leave and why they deemed me useful enough to keep. In a way, I did give my life for Lothan, for I am bound to Hisar Castle.”

Kene gasped. What? What did that mean?

“Already I feel the pull in my bones to return. The boy is a boy no more, but a man full grown and ready to take his rightful place.”

“His rightful place is here.” Kene didn’t sound as sure as she normally did.

The mage kept his voice calm, though Kene all but growled. “No, his rightful place is on the throne.”

What?

Kene’s voice grew frantic, pleading. “Tonight? Do you plan to take him tonight? There’s been no time to prepare.”

“Not tonight. Bring him to the ruins of the woodsman’s cottage on the next full moon. You’ll have that time to ready him.”

Kene’s chair flew backward and crashed into a wall. “No! He’s perfectly happy here. He’ll be Baron Kennestone after me. Live a good life.”

“But this isn’thislife. Not the life he was born to.”

“That life ended when Bain attacked Hisar Castle. I will never forgive you for Dafron’s death. Never!”

Dafron?

“I regret my failure daily, child.”

Kene’s glower would’ve backed off even the steadfast Rolf. “As well you should.”

“Princess Lessa yet lives, as do her two sons.”

“Good. Choose her spare heir for your mission. I want no part of you or your schemes.”

“For the good of the realm—”

“Curse the realm,” Kene snarled. “This is Edry’s life.”

“Call him by his name—Prince Eron.”

Say what?

“You must do your part, as the prophecy foretells.” Miisov moved toward Kene.

“Prophecy. Bah!” she said, stepping away. “Do not touch me, old man. I want nothing to do with you or your prophecies.”

“Had you but followed your ordained path, you would know the prophecies intimately.”

“I chose another path, and it’s worked well for me.Eron’swill, too.Besides, I think you make up prophecies to serve your own purposes.”

Miisov let out an enormous sigh. Eron half expected the candle flames to flutter. “Elzabai, you know what happens when you deny fate.”

Elzabai?

“She denies you. Don’t speak to me of fate. Nothing we do can bring Dafron back. He’s dead and gone.” Kene tapped her temple with one finger. “The only life he has is in my mind.”

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