Page 178 of The Last One
I take a step forward.
The soldiers reach for their swords.
Gileon lifts his hand.
The soldiers stand down—but not all the way down.
I place my knuckles on the table and bend until I’m eye to eye with the prince of Brithellum. “You must understand this: your men killed a Renrian. Did they tell you that? Oh, wait. For a second time now, I’ve forgotten… No one from that battalion survived to tell you.”
Gileon’s eyes dart to the soldiers standing at the walls.
“Your men,” I continue, “killed someone who has served Vallendor Realm for two hundred years. His name was Veril Bairnell the Sapient, and one of him is worth three thousand of your men. By my count, I have two thousand, nine hundred and sixty to go. And once I hit that target…” I stand up straight. “We’ll be even.”
Gileon goes back to spinning his coin, but his fingers tremble. “And then what, Lady? You and this one—?” He thrusts his chin at Jadon. “You two will ride off into the twilight, living happily ever after? Always fighting? Always running? Always filthy and hungry and anxious? I won’t stop looking for him. And Elyn won’t stop looking for you.”
Gileon taps Jadon’s hand. “Don’t tell me this is the life that you want. I mean… You can have everything,anything, and it’s yours. I mean…youarea prince of Brithellum, after all.”
“What?” Not only do I say this, but Philia does, too.
“Oh, so you didn’t tell them everything?” Gileon gawks at Jadon. “Are you going to say something,brother?”
“Brother?” I whisper, my voice weak, my heart…shattered.
Gileon’s focus remains on Jadon. “I’m just astounded that you never told her. Information like that is critical, especially during negotiations.” He makes a noise expressing disgust, then turns to me, his eyes burning with anger. “Your boyfriend—my brother—is the eldest son of the emperor, and we’ve been looking for himeverywhere.”
Jadon lifts his gaze and looks over to me with flat eyes. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. Then those eyes flicker and glint. And that’s when he lunges across the table and wraps his hands around Gileon’s neck.
PART V
Can’t Go
Home Again
Throughout the realm, here shadows pale.
She emanates, wearing mail.
Bringing light for all beings pure,
She captures foes so goodness cures.
Hear the echoes of closing breath,
A spell for life, away from death.
With might, in darkness, she exudes brawn.
In the light, she stands ’til dawn.
Arise and praise her sublime hand.
She vanquishes every land.
Breaking chains, she battles vile.
She uses gifts that value guile.
Hear the echoes of closing breath.
