Page 23 of Immortal Sentry

Eron curled his fingers around the stone, still warm from Kene’s pocket. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Wait here. Mage Miisov told me to bring you here. I don’t know what he has planned. It’s likely best I don’t know, so I can’t somehow tempt fate. You don’t know him and have no reason to trust him. To tell the truth, neither do I. However, it took both of us to keep you safe.”

Strange that Kene didn’t call Miisov “Father.” Wasn’t that what she’d said in the study?

“If you ever need me for anything. I’m here. And if Miisov lets you return to our estate, there’s always a place for you there.”

Ourestate. Notmyestate. The place Eron remembered as home, where he’d played, learned, and grown into a man.

“I may have taken you in for your brother’s sake, Ed… Eron. For your own, I kept you.”

Did she love Eron’s brother still? “I’ve never seen you with a man or woman for long. You’ve never married or taken a lover for more than a few nights.”

Kene shook her head. “I entertain lovers occasionally, but it’s only physical. They can never touch my heart. That’s buried wherever your brother is.”

How had Eron not known all this time? Never had Kene mentioned Dafron until now. “Will I see you again?”

“It is my fondest wish. But you have a destiny to fulfill. I believe Miisov limited your memories to save you pain, and if he has, he’ll restore them if he can. It is past time for you to take your rightful place as King Lothan’s son.”

“I’ve seen twenty-four summers. Why now?”

“Twenty-two. Remember, I told people you were older to help hide you. You weren’t twelve when I found you. You were ten.” Kene regarded Eron with a sheen of tears in her eyes. “Take the love of a mother with you. I’ll never be far away.” One side of her mouth hitched upward. "Who knows, maybe Lord Night will accost you one day while you take an outing in your fine coach." Kene pulled away, taking her warmth with her.

“And you have the love of a son.” Eron enfolded Kene in a hug, recalling all the times she’d comforted him after bad dreams. She hugged him just as tightly. “One day, if I come to the estate, will you tell me about Daf… my brother?”

“Yes, I will.” Kene released Eron, swiped a tear away with the back of her hand, and swung up onto her horse, taking Rhedos’s reins. “You’ll not need this old nag any longer, Your Highness.” She winked, dug her heels into her horse’s flank, and vanished into the trees, leaving Eron’s heart to break into tiny pieces for the loss of both Kene and Rhedos.

He stared at the piles of collapsed timbers, reaching back into the dark recesses of his mind.

A childlike voice asked, “What about Father?”

A large man studied Eron with kind eyes. “I’m sorry, son. King Selin’s forces invaded the castle. Your father is… lost.”

Father. King Lothan. And a mother. No, Mother died in childbirth, along with Eron’s younger sister. A soft voice sang to him, and the scent of lilac surrounded him. The memory drifted away like smoke through a fist.

Kene said Eron looked like Dafron. Eron had never been one to stare overly long into a mirror. Would he have seen Dafron’s face there? Freed some memories? Sister. Lessa. She still lived, right? She must have if someone at their recent party delivered news of her to Kene.

Flashes came faster: running down the servants’ stairs. Anthone! What happened to Master Anthone? A big man lifting Eron onto a horse. Henri? No, Hentri.

Somehow, this place must be jogging Eron’s remembrances. Or perhaps the mage’s spell had dissolved. Eron gazed through the trees at the castle on the hill. Was that his home?

The gargoyle on the highest pinnacle looked down from its lofty perch. If Eron entered the castle, would those men be freed? Nah. No matter how powerful a mage, no one could turn a man into stone.

Eron remained silent, listening. Was the mage supposed to meet him here? A mist muted the sun, settling over the trees and spreading downward.

A mist? Was that fog or… That was no ordinary mist. Eron sprinted toward the cave.Don’t breathe, don’t breathe.He covered his nose and mouth with his sleeve, but still the sickly sweetness of the air filled his mouth and lungs.

His steps slowed, and the mist completely enshrouded him. Where was he? Where was he going? Eron sank to his knees, now breathing freely of what must be some form of enchantment. He gulped for air. His arms grew too heavy to lift.

All went black.

Chapter Ten

Kerric stood in his usual position, staring out over the forest. Over the seasons, he’d watched the two highwaymen as the smaller one grew larger, surpassing the other. Had he been a child when Kerric first spotted him? He appeared a man full grown now.

Rumors spread by passing guards spoke of the king hosting nobles soon. Perhaps Kerric would see the highwaymen again. Anything for a break in his tedious monotony. As easily as the man in black moved, climbing trees, dropping on a carriage, he must be fit under his dark clothing.

Kerric whiled away time imagining the face behind the mask. Would the man be beautiful? Well, since Kerric stood no chance of meeting him, he’d imagine a strong nose, high cheekbones, penetrating dark eyes, and long, wavy hair. He’d have been aroused by the image if he’d been able.

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