Page 193 of A Bond in Blood

“Brenna.” My father’s voice was quiet. The same commanding tone Ulrich used when addressing his court.

I dropped my head. “I apologize, my king.”

“Brenna, stop. I am your father.”

“You are no better than the beast who hurt me,” I replied.

His hand lifted my chin, and I found sorrow in his eyes.

“What?” his voice cracked.

I stepped away from him.

“Why did you not come for me?”

“Brenna, what are you talking about?”

My eyes went to Oberon and his wives, and I dropped my voice to a whisper. “Why did you not reply to a single letter I sent you?The ones where I told you about my pain and scars. About my torment.”

I met his eyes, my tears running down my cheeks. “Why, Papa? Why?”

He blinked and a tear rolled from his eye. “Brenna, he did not mention this. What letters?”

“He? What do you meanhe?”

My father said nothing, he only turned on his heel, motioning for me to follow.

At first I did not want to, but the regret in his eyes, I could not allow our relationship to fracture. The chatter began again as we exited the room. Leaving our guests to mourn grandmother alone.

When we made it to his study, he slammed the doors open, and I was sure my heart stopped at the sight.

Along every single wall, on every surface, were my maps and drawings. My scribbles, my notes.

The work Ulrich had led me to believe he’d disposed of.

“What in the Gods?” I sobbed.

My father passed me, heading straight for his desk and pulling the drawer open, laying down pile after pile of letters.

“The first one,” he held it up. “The king apologized for the death of your betrothed and the fear his ship’s arrival caused. He promised to take care of you.”

My father slammed the paper down. “Then a month of silence. Nothing. No letters. No updates and I was about to go straight to Oberon when another one came. And more. Every single day. An update of what you were doing. If you were well.”

“You’re lying,” I cried.

“Then your letters came, and they were so full of pain,” my father cried. “Gods, I almost went to Oberon again, but the king always sent one at the same time, calming my fears.”

“Threatening you,” I replied.

“No, Bren, never.”

He picked a parchment. “King Enok, I know her recent letter is filled with lament and sorrow. Caused by my own hand. I cannot beg for your forgiveness more than I am now. If I were in your presence, I would drop to my knees. I promise she is well. She will return to you by the eleventh month. I am ending her servitude early.”

I let out a shout. “Stop! What is this?”

“This is why we all knew you were coming home. Ulrich was told your grandmother had taken a turn for the worse. Gods, we were even surprised, but we were already preparing to welcome you.”

“Why did you not write back?” I cried. “Why, Papa?”

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