Page 63 of Immortal Sentry

“Kill him!” Crau commanded.

The morning’s first sunbeam rose over the treetops. Swords met nothing but stone.

Chapter Twenty-three

Eron jerked awake and sat up in bed. Had someone called his name? A tap sounded on his door. At Kene’s, his valet would wake him, see him dressed—with minimal participation—and he’d meet Kene for breakfast. Here, servants brought him far too much of a meal to break his fast. He’d never get used to the lofty ways of Castle Hisar living. He’d either taken the fawning as his due as a boy, or Father hadn’t held on ceremony.

Then again, Eron might simply not remember. He pulled the bedclothes up to hide his nakedness. “Enter.”

Instead of a servant, Miisov entered, his appearance more bedraggled than usual. “Forgive my imposition, Lord Edry. I need to speak with you on a matter of some urgency.”

That he’d said “Edry” put Eron on alert. Perhaps his current guards were more alert than usual.

Miisov entered and closed the door, giving a deep sigh. “Crau and Selin have a plot of their own. They intend to kill Bain and blame your sister.”

Eron stiffened. “No.”

“Of course, we won’t allow such treachery. Crau also met with Kerric last night. Knows he’s awake and that the legends are true. I’ve cast an illusion spell. The statues will be undetectable. Crau will no doubt send men to search the castle for them.”

“What happened? Is Kerric all right?” Eron would kill any who dared harm him.

“The rising sun saved him. It’s possible that he and his men will all awaken soon, which is one reason I’m out of strength. I’ve done all I can.” The gray cast on Miisov’s skin emphasized the effort expended. “The armies are in place. Selin has arranged for Bain to meet him in the gardens tomorrow evening before the ball. It appears they intend for Lessa to be blamed for Bain’s death, and you will be blamed for hers.”

“I wanted Crau and Bain dead before. Now, I’ll show no mercy. Where is Crau at this moment? What about Selin?”

“Selin is a lowly worm whose only threat is as a schemer. He’d never dirty his own hands. Crau, on the other hand… I’ve brought in someone to watch him.”

“Someone we can trust?”

“I hope you can trust me.” Kene stepped through the door, sinking her teeth into an apple. She’d dressed all in black as Lord Night.

“Kene!” Eron ran to embrace his mentor before stopping and grabbing a blanket to cover his nakedness. Not that she’d never seen his body before while tending to his wounds. “How did you get in?”

Kene held her apple aloft, hugging Eron with her free arm. “With a little help from magic.” She stepped back and lifted a medallion from inside her tunic. “Too bad it has a time limit. Crau isn’t the only one I’d settle a score with.”

Eron studied Miisov’s face. The new lines on the mage's weathered skin showed the power the medallion and other spells required. How much had he aged just since Eron’s return?

“I’m doing this for Eron and Lessa, not for you, old man.” Kene opened a window and tossed out the apple core. Did she not notice how terribly Miisov had aged?

Or had one of Miisov’s many spells been to protect his daughter from the truth?

“Selin and King Bain will meet in the gardens. Elzab… Kene, you stay behind Crau.”

“Shouldn’t I be looking for the assassin?”

Why hadn’t Crau and Bain contacted Eron about the dirty deed yet? Did they know something? Have other plans for him?

“I have someone watching the assassin.” Miisov glanced sidelong at Eron.

“Eron?” Kene laughed. “You’re the assassin?”

“He is, so you see, he doesn’t need watching. He’ll remain with me.”

Kene turned her full attention to Eron. “What’s this I hear about you and a statue? I always knew you liked them hard as a rock, but you’ve outdone yourself, boy.”

The visible parts of Miisov’s face flushed at his daughter’s crude pronouncement. “The castle will be surrounded tomorrow at sunset. Crau, Selin, and Bain will be taken into custody, ready to answer for their crimes.” He sauntered over, placing his hands on Eron’s shoulders. “You must be declared king and break the curse.”

This again? “I don’t want to be king.”

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