Page 56 of Degradation

“Stop causing trouble, and go help your brothers,” I said to Daemon and Darian.

They left us alone to finish washing in peace. We didn’t tarry, though. I knew they needed to be about their day and didn’t want them to leave before I had my say.

Dressing quickly, I went downstairs with Liam a few steps behind me. Garron and Brandle were putting the biscuits on a flat cooking stone above the coals.

“Are we a family?” I asked.

They all stopped what they were doing to set the table.

“We are,” Brandle said firmly.

“And, in this family, do we all have an equal voice, or does one voice carry more weight than the others?” I asked.

They glanced at each other.

“We’re equals,” Edmund said.

“Good. And when we don’t all agree, how do we resolve it?”

“A vote,” Eadric said. “Majority rules.”

“Excellent. Then Daemon and I vote that we end any remaining secrets today.”

“I do?” Daemon asked.

“Recall your promise to agree to a future request when I let you avoid your labors in the glade? I’m collecting.”

Understanding lit his gaze, and he nodded. “I agree and vote we tell our Lamb everything.”

“I agree as well,” Liam said.

Garron’s vacant gaze remained locked on the floor, and I could feel his hesitation. I went to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

“I’ve tried holding myself back from you and your brothers out of fear of hurting all of you. Slowly, you showed me that I had nothing to fear. That it was safe to love you. That you wouldn’t leave me. Now, you’re the ones holding a part of yourself back. I want everything–like you promised.”

He nodded. “I agree.”

Turning, I looked at the rest. Darian was sober as he met my gaze. Brandle and Edmund shared an equal amount of fear. Eadric had calm determination and waited until I looked at him to crook his finger.

I went to him without hesitation.

“Secrets, once told, cannot be untold. Are you sure you’re ready?” he asked.

“Brandle’s fear is a shackle. The only way to free him is to face the truth.”

Eadric kissed my forehead and turned me toward Brandle.

“I agree,” Eadric said. “That’s five to three. Majority rules.”

Brandle’s fear spiked, and Edmund set his hand on his brother’s shoulder. Darian placed his on Brandle’s other shoulder. Brandle exhaled heavily and nodded.

“So be it. Sit, Kellen, and I’ll tell you our tale.” Rather than sitting, I took his hand and led him to the table. Understanding, he sat and opened his arms for me. I settled into his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist.

Daemon and Darian sat on either side of us. Liam and Garron sat behind us on the other side of the table while we faced Eadric and Edmund, who leaned against the staircase.

“I’m ready,” I said.

“It starts with the fall of Turre. Some of what happened likely reached Drisdall since the path through the Dark Forest was still open then.”

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