Page 33 of How to Keep a Fae

Jayga chuckles. It dies off when he realizes I’m not making a poor joke.

My father nods to Cecil and then strides away. I hear his footsteps ring out as he walks for the door, but my eyes are now locked upon Cecil.

Imperials only come down here when seeking a warrior for a quest. My father did not take anyone, yet the relief I should be feeling at his departure does not manifest.

Cecil calls the order to prepare for drills. The normality ought to settle the churning in my gut.

It does not.

Jayga scratches his jaw and side-eyes me. “When you said you had pure blood, I didn’t think you were descended from a god.”

I make a scoffing noise, and some of my tension eases. “Imperials bleed like we all do. They are assuredly not gods.”

Jayga’s brows remain puckered together. “If you say so. What do you think that was about then? The only time imperials come down here is when they want a warrior for a quest. That look he gave you… You have family get-togethers often?”

“No.”

“Well, alright then. I guess we’re not discussing the elephant in the room… Imperial in the room?” He chuckles. “Yeah, that works too.”

I need him to stop talking. When has Jayga ever done that? I walk under automation to the long bench. Jayga follows me, still yaking on about me being a demi-god… and no wonder I have such hard fists?

I stow my kit bag on the hook.

A shadow forms behind me. Jayga stops talking and turns.

I do not.

“The master will speak to you, August.”

I nod to the guard, feeling Jayga’s eyes following me—along with every warrior in the room, as I am escorted to Cecil.

The command to begin drills is given.

Cecil motions me to follow him into his small office.

The guard closes the door, leaving us alone.

“You are to accompany Aurelius on a mission,” he says.

I was braced for this, but the words still hit me like a blow.

“When,” I bite out.

“Now. Gather your usual armor, weapons, and horse, and meet him in the portal chamber.”

I can feel a tic thumping in my jaw. My father has requested me. Not me and Jayga… leaving Jayga here. “Only me?”

“That I am aware of,” Cecil says with an incline of his head. “Your father does not disclose his purposes to me. I am old and merely the warrior master.”

“He is not my father.” I regret the harsh words the moment they leave my lips. It is an indication of my chaotic thoughts that I lash out in this way.

There is a long pause. Cecil does not dismiss me. I don’t dare look away.

“He visits me regularly,” Cecil says, voice clipped. “Asking about you. Your progress. He reads every operational report you are involved in. He does not apply this exacting interest to any other warrior under my care. Nor did he deign to visit me even once before you joined my hall.”

I blink like that might clear the fog from my mind.

“I believe he has a purpose for you. One you will come to understand over time.”

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