Page 61 of Bitten

Ralnur hated the thought of withholding information from Adriel, but he needed to save his son.

Varian nodded. “Will it be enough?”

“I don’t know,” Ralnur said. “At best, you should hope for exile over death.”

“Exile?” Varian spat. “No! I cannot leave Midnight. I’d rather remain in the dungeons than that.”

“I know your cousin. Adriel won’t want you imprisoned for the rest of your days. Exile may be the only way you survive.”

“I won’t survive. Not outside in the human world. It’s not safe.”

Ralnur’s stomach clenched. “You’ll have to become stronger than you are, Varian. You’ll have to learn to stand on your own two feet. I’ve done all I can—and perhaps I coddled you too much. Maybe I’m the one to blame here, for not forcing you to be the man you can be.”

Varian’s face fell. “Papa?”

Ralnur clenched his jaw, sadness washing over him.

The door opened, and the guard entered. “It’s time, Prince Varian.”

“I’m not ready to go,” Varian said, tears shining in his eyes. He turned to Ralnur. “I need this place. I beg you—speak to the king. Make him see I was only trying to save you, papa.”

“I’ve already told him all of that,” Ralnur said. “And given my situation, I can hardly expect him to listen to me now.”

The guardsman walked in, Varian’s chains hanging from one hand.

Varian backed away, shaking his head. “Please no. Let me stay a while longer.”

“Don’t fight me,” the guardsman spat. “Or you won’t get a chance to come back to see your father again.”

Varian sobbed and then lifted his hands to be clasped.

Tears stung the backs of Ralnur’s eyes to see his son like that, but Varian had also broken the law and he understood Adriel’s need to hold his boy accountable.

But he hoped Adriel could have compassion when it came to Varian.

“The king and his mates are coming to dine with me soon. I’ll plea for clemency. I just don’t know if he’ll listen.”

Varian eyed him, but remained quiet, his face pale.

“I love you,” Ralnur murmured as Varian was taken through the doors.

Varian turned to gaze at him a second. “I love you, too.”

And then he was gone.

And Ralnur couldn’t fight the sensation that it was the last time he’d ever see his son.

* * * *

Traitorous…

By the next morning, Caelian arrived at the library bright and early. Cannon had argued that it was too early, but Caelian had just left without him. Cannon had eventually caught up, grumbling under his breath.

Caelian was on a mission.

He’d even gotten there before Hoefsra had awoken and had to bang on the door to gain entry. His grandfather hadn’t looked too happy to have been dragged from his bed, but Caelian didn’t care one bit.

Ralnur needed his help.

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