Page 74 of The Horde King of Shadow

“I would like to do my own research on the lost horde kings. Sammenth and Ryena told me about the villages where they grew up. I was hoping to talk to some of the Elders, to see if I can record their knowledge, their stories before they’re truly lost forever.”

“If you make your bond with an Elthika, you can do whatever you want as queen,” I answered her.

“Truly?” she asked.

“Did you expect a fight from me about it?”

“Well…yes.”

“Fulfill your oath to the Sarrothian, Klara,” I started, dipping my head down so our eyes met, “and you can do whatever you please.”

A determined spark lit up her eyes. “I’ll do it, then.”

I didn’t hide my smile this time. “If that was all I needed to say, I wish I’d done it long before now.”

“That’s why we should learn more about each other,” she pointed out, though she kept her smug satisfaction at bay. “Don’t you agree?”

I grunted.

“Though I haven’t truly learned much about you tonight,” she added with an assessing look.

I grunted again.

“And you won’t tonight,” I said. “Now stop talking, wife. Let me enjoy my wildness in peace.”

“You won’t tell me just one tiny thing?” she pressed.

I bit out a sigh. Shehadbeen open with me tonight, had answered my own questions without complaint.

I swallowed down my discomfort when I said, “Do you know how a SarrothianKarathis chosen?”

“No,” she said, a little breathless, like she couldn’t believe her pressing me had actually worked.

“They are taken from a pool of the best acolytes and riders for the territory when the position becomes open, either when the previousKarathdies or relinquishes his position or is removed.”

“Removed?” she asked.

“By the Elthika,” I answered, knowing that was how my predecessor had gone. “These choosings only happen once in a lifetime, maybe twice, if that. And it happened to fall during my rider season. Perhaps luck, or perhaps fate. One rider from each of Sarroth’s villages is chosen and sent to the cliffs. Whoever claims a Vyrin more often than not comes out aKarath, though other riders can challenge them. In the weeks following, those challenges can seem endless, but not many are foolish enough to stand against a Vyrin and their chosen rider. Except other Vyrins.”

I saw Klara process the information. And when her brow furrowed, I knew she was filling in gaps, what went unspoken.

“Haden was like a brother to me,” I told her, swallowed deeply. “Going into theilla’roshthat year, he was favored to be the nextKarath. We both tried to claim a Vyrin that year. Lygath rejected him. Zaridan chose me. Nearly all the acolytes died that year. I tried to save Haden…but in the end I watchedhim fall. And I was challenged relentlessly in the aftermath. Elysom allowed a law where I could be challenged for a full year afterward. There were many who believed I had murdered my own friend to claim the throne of Sarroth. So that’s why I don’t like to speak of it.”

“I’m sorry,” she breathed, and I barely heard her over the rush of the falls. What struck me was howsadshe looked by my confession. As if she hurt for me. “Sarkin, I had no idea…”

“What’s done is done,” I said, steeling my voice. “That year taught me a lot. It was a trial, and I came out with the respect of my people. Ihadto go through it.”

I’m glad I did,I thought. It made me a betterKarathin the end because it taught me to trust very few and to build an Arsadian stone wall around me, allowing no one close.

“Enough for tonight,” I told her, releasing her only when she began to tread water. “It’s late. And you need sleep.”

“Will you return with me tonight?” she asked softly. The question struck me as vulnerable.

I blew out a rough breath. There was a reason why I’d stayed away…but I realized I couldn’t run forever.

“Yes,” I answered. “I will.”

Chapter 26

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