Page 59 of Immortal Sentry

Lessa looped her arm through Eron’s. “We have ever so much to talk about.”

“I’d love to talk, but shouldn’t you be at the banquet?”

Lessa waved a hand. “I excused myself to put the boys to bed. My maid will see no one disturbs my rooms, and my highly trusted guards are waiting in the shadows since I wanted a closer look at the famed gargoyles.” She flashed a smile. “Do you remember how hot my temper ran? Time hasn’t mellowed me. I’ve just gotten sneakier about seeking revenge. Speaking of…” Lessa narrowed her eyes. “Why have you not tried to contact me? I thought you were dead!”

“I didn’t know who I was until recently. Between Miisov’s spell and my own fears, I was fortunate to remember my name.I’ve been living with a noble named Kene, who has been most generous to me.”

“I’m glad you found someone.” Lessa gave a wistful smile. She must not know the name. “I found someone, too, though he doesn’t seem nearly as nice as your Kene.” They reached the first statue. She ran her fingers over the smooth surface. “How did anyone get these up here?”

“I believe Miisov might have been involved,” Kerric replied. “You know how mages are with their secrets.”

“Yes, I do. If you think Miisov is bad, you should see our castle mage. He’s ancient and prone to falling asleep during meetings. He once jolted awake and turned his hair orange by accident.”

According to Miisov, using powerful magic took life force, making him appear old before his time. The mage Lessa spoke of might not be old at all. Eron shuddered. How horrible it must be to look in a mirror, see someone much older than yourself, and know you’ve magicked away half your lifetime. Was time a reasonable price to pay for magic? Of course, magic granted them longer lives.

“What do you recall?” Lessa asked.

Eron huddled closer to Kerric for warmth, but not close enough to defy propriety. “It’s coming back to me a bit at a time. I remember Father, Mother, you, and Dafron, but only the odd recollection here and there. I still remember nothing about the battle. Kene says she found me wandering in the woods.”

“Well, I’m glad she found you. Wait! She?”

“You knew her as Elzabai, Your Majesty,” Kerric said.

“Elzabai? She’s alive. Oh, by the goddess, how is she?” Lessa’s excitement made her look like a small child at midwinter’s feast.

“She’s well.” Eron wouldn’t offer more for now.

“I worried about her so when she left here. I took her leaving hard, but I think Dafron took it harder.”

Did Lessa not know about Kene and Dafron?

Lessa continued chatting as they rounded the first statue. “You know you’re Father’s official heir now, right? You could depose Bain.”

“Yes, but no one knows me. I’m not familiar with local politics. Are there even people who’d back me?”

Lessa leaned in and whispered, “More than you’ll ever know. Bain is not a popular ruler, and I often hear conversations about how much better the people’s lives were under Father.”

Maybe Eron shouldn’t expose the plot, but Lessa deserved to know. “You know that King Bain brought you here to kill you and your sons.”

“I’ve heard rumors.” Lessa ran a hand over the gargoyle's wing. “What Bain doesn’t know is that I’ll be ready for him. He won’t poison me because that would reflect poorly on him and send other guests into a panic. My guess is he’ll use an assassin from another kingdom. How am I doing thus far?”

Eron laughed. “I’m the assassin. But I have no intention of harming you or my nephews. I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Well, Dafron and Eron will be extremely pleased to meet you, especially as you won’t be killing them. We all thought you were dead.” Lessa whapped the back of Eron’s head with her hand, then pulled him into a side hug. “That’s for not telling me, for keeping me worrying.”

“I didn’t know!”

“Which is why I’m letting you off so easily.” She lifted her nose haughtily in the air, moving on to examine the next gargoyle.

Wait! “Dafron and Eron?”

“Of course I named my sons for my brothers. Who else would I name them after? Father’s name is reserved for his heir’s firstborn son.”

Lessa had named her son after Eron. She hadn’t forgotten him.

“So, tell me. What’s the plan?” Lessa asked.

“What plan?”

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