Page 37 of Eclipse of Fate
“Speak clearly, or don’t speak at all, Cano. I didn’t raise you to be a mumbling fool.”
“Sorry, Father. Miles was upset that I kicked Dax while he was down today in combat training.”
“Hmmm… and what was the outcome?” My brows dip as I think about the exchange with Miles.
“I apologized to him and then to Dax.” His fist curls in my tunic so fast that I have no choice but to breathe in the scent of the bourbon on his breath and the smoke from his pipe as he blows it out into my face.
“Mmmmm. Yes. There it is.” Confusion sparks in my mind, but as quickly as it comes, it leaves as the realization hits in the form of my father’s fist. “Cano Croix will not apologize for his opponent’s weakness. If Dax is weak enough to allow himself to be knocked to the ground and stay there long enough to be kicked, he deserves it. If I hear that you cower down to someonelike that again, I will make you eat your words. I will shove them so far down your throat that you will choke on them. Do you understand me?”
I squeeze my fists into tight balls at my side to hide the tremble that has started there. I know his words are no threat. It’s a promise.
“Understood, Father.” I urge steel into my spine, trying to maintain any sort of composure I can. He sees through it, though. In a growl of disgust, he shoves me hard until I fall to the ground. It’s a test because when I hesitate, his boot comes at me harder. My vision goes dark, but he makes sure he is heard before I succumb to the darkness.
“Good fucking riddance.”
I blink, and then I am looking eye to eye with the same face that loomed over me with disdain that day and many others—a face I never thought I’d lay eyes on again. Even in death, he feels the same about his youngest and now, only son.
“Is it just you? Are they all really dead?” The question comes out before I can think twice about it.
“It’s just me. They were all too weak; I thought I’d be able to mold you into what I needed, but here we are…” His hand sweeps out to the weeping stone walls around me, and before he lowers his hand, I notice the guard next to him lower the iron key into his palm, but when I take a step forward, he lifts his other hand palm up to stop me.
“Ah-ah. I think you need some time to think, son.” He turns his back to me, walking from the room. He spins to face me again, only once he reaches the door and begins to close it. “A smart man always has a backup plan. Do you understand that, son?” His words ring out like a gong through my mind as he shuts the door, and all the light from the sconces in the hall is snuffed out with the clickof the lock.
His words echo through my mind again as I slump to the ground, my mind spinning with what just happened. Everything I’ve done…
“Good fucking riddance.”
I swallow the reality like dirt, like being buried alive.
Chapter thirty-two
Hours have passed sinceI walked through the door of the infirmary, but the betrayal I feel hasn’t lessened. I’ve sat here all day thinking, with a scowl on my face. Ambriel has tried to bring me food, and Maki has tried to discuss a plan… bringing up dragons and Cano—but all I feel is the betrayal of what Raelle did. The anger is like a roaring fire in my veins. I’m stewing.
I roll my eyes as I ruminate over the thought, and my stomach growls loudly. Maki gives me a sidelong look.
“Stop being so stubborn, Trent. Eat and rest. Ambriel and I…” He starts to chastise me, but I push up from thebed I’ve been sitting on all this time with the letter still in my hand, the parchment crushed in my fist.
“I’m not just being fucking stubborn, Maki. Please don’t act like I’m some child throwing a tantrum. Raelle is all I have left of Dax. She is the godsdamnedqueen,and she just runs off again with that motherfucker, Alaric?” His name comes out like acid on my tongue. I don’t understand what’s going on between them, but I don’t fucking like it. And I don’t like that Raelle keeps running off and not consulting with any of us. Or even talking to us face to face.
Maki sighs loudly, running a hand down his face as he levels me with tired eyes, “Just try to get some sleep, ok?” He grips my shoulder with a gentle squeeze, giving me a tight-lipped smile of reassurance, he turns and walks from the room.
I flop back onto the small infirmary bed, my head flattening the pillow as I stare blankly at the dark ceiling. My stomach growls again, and I roll over, facing the tall window with a huff. The moon stares in mockingly. I snap my fingers at the flames of the candles all around the room, extinguishing the flickering bastards. I close my eyes, trying to quiet my racing thoughts.Damn it, Raelle. Why did you have to do this again?
Bringing my eyes to close, I can’t help but think about Dax. I miss my brother. I thought losing my baby sister was hard but losing my brother… it’s been absolute hell without him.
“Run!” Dax shouts at me from behind a tree. He and Cano always team up on me when we play these games. Ma laughs from where she sits on the balcony with Ella in her arms. Swaddled in a bundle of pink and frill. She points over to the bushes on the far end of the garden, where the white roses grow. They are her favorite. I sneakaround the fountain at the center of the garden as quietly as I can manage.
A smile lifts at the corner of her mouth, the only tell that she gives, saying that I’m getting close to where one or both of them are. A grin spreads wide across my face as I hear shuffling in the bushes. I crouch down low, aiming to spring up and catch them by surprise, but before I get the chance, Uncle Declan’s booming laugh comes from the patio behind me. Dax stands straight up and basically runs right over me on his way to greet him.
“Hey there, soldier.” He rustles Dax’s dark, wavy hair, which Pa has been complaining about for a month—about being too long. Dax smiles ear to ear, and Cano comes out of the bushes next, his brown hair is always kept short, and leaves from the bushes sick to the top of his head.
“Dax, you gave up our hiding spot!” Cano yells, and Dax laughs, looking over at him as they follow Uncle Declan into the house. I slump my shoulders, kicking at a pebble, as I make my way forward, not having anyone to play with anymore. Stopping at the fountain, I stir small circles in the water with my finger, watching the ripples. Miles comes to stand by my side, and when I look up at him, he smiles. Pulling a piece of parchment from his pocket, he winks at me. Silently, he starts folding it into a series of squares and triangles. When he finishes, he shows me what he’s made, and a grin pulls my lips up at the corners.
He plops the small paper boat into the water, bends down, and blows on its sail, making it move forward. When he stands, he scruffs my head, then looks up to the balcony, where Ma is watching with a smile still on her face. He nods his head at her before turning back tome.
“Why don’t you come in and help me prep for lunch?” My smile widens at the thought of food, and I pluck the little boat from the water and stuff it into my pocket.
“Yes!” I tell him before bolting for the patio doors and racing to the kitchen. I hear Miles laughing as he follows behind.
