Page 46 of Heir to His Court

It happens sometimes,he said finally.Your presence, your awareness of all four of us is slowly reweaving the strands. We can ruthlessly compartmentalize, and have, for centuries.

I don’t entirely understand.

Silence as I felt him reach for words.Think of us as four aspects of one whole. The majority of our consciousness is shared. Renaud is aware he is your Darkan, as I am aware I am Renaud. When I choose, the sliver of me that is merely Darkan is still free to wander.

And Threnvanne Sanyelle?

Yes. We are aware of him as well. We. . .attempt to keep him quiescent. No one wants the return of the General of Ninephe.

I find I don’t want to know why.

No. You do not. There is passion in Renaud’s cruelty. Raniel seeks vengeance, but he is a steward first, a teacher, a husband. Threnvanne Sanyelle feels nothing.

And you—you expect me tobondall of you? Darkan, this takes insane to an incandescent level.

Wearethe same person, Aerinne. We were one at our birth. But when you have power as great as mine, temper as lethal as mine, it is necessary to. . .shield oneself.

Sickness swam in my stomach.Five years ago, when I killed Embriel. . .

Yes,he said, voice impassive.It was necessary for us to shield Renaud then. Or he would have destroyed you. We love our son. We are attempting to control Renaud.

And now he wants Embry’s killer.

Yes. I had not anticipated the request. He is canny, and can hide much from us.

You know. .it took me a moment.You know I regret what I did.

I know, my heart.

The exquisitely gentle tone did nothing to ease my guilt, or my grief. Especially now that I remembered Embry had only been trying to help me.

My heart rose in my throat.If the Renaud aspect doesn't know I killed your son. . .what will happen when he learns?

I do not know, Aerinne. We will try to protect you.

You think he’ll kill me?

That is a possibility.

Raniel would never hurt me.

Raniel is not always the strongest of us.

He's the kindest of all of you.Well. . .outside of the training circle.

Darkan laughed.It cost him nothing to be so. You were a child. And much of that wasme.

What is the General then?

The son of Nayya and Assariel. The son and grandson of Ancients. He has even less mercy than the Prince.

Is he a danger to me?

The General of Ninephe first tasted death and betrayal when younger than you. If he emerges, offer him nothing but perfect obedience, and absent yourself as soon as you can. Be wary, Aerinne. We are always our own worse enemy.

Unfortunately, I knew he meant that literally.

ChapterFourteen

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