Page 51 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Chapter Fifteen
Vad
Silus folded his arms and waited for me to speak.
I paused, not wanting to torch the centuries-long friendship the two of us had shared. Even now, he wasn’t trying to be difficult. He saw himself as protecting not only Elara but me as well. The problem was, he was misguided and not treating me like the king’s heir. "Why did you wake Elara when we both know she needs her rest? Was it to spite me because I left to locate Briar?”
His head jerked back. “I didn’t wake her. I was in her chambers when she woke of her own accord and came out. Some of the servants were here, speaking of the king’s death. I wanted you to be the one to tell her, but I definitely didn’t want her to learn about it by overhearing someone who wasn't close to her. I informed her because of the circumstances.”
A bit of tension eased. I had thought the worst, assuming he’d purposely tried to undermine me.
“No.” Thalen tilted his hands, creating his circle of silence to dampen our voices. “Don’t let him off that easy. He could’ve keptthe servants away. He chose to tell her, despite knowing how hard it would be on her without her brother there.”
“I suppose you're living your best life right now.” Silus sneered. “You must always be the center of attention, and right now, you’re the golden friend.”
“Did you even try to find me, Silus, before you told her?” I tilted my head and watched his facial expressions.
He shook his head, his jaw set. “There was no time. I’d stayed in her gathering room in case she needed help. You didn’t see her last night. She was so…exhausted and fragile, and I didn’t want to leave her alone. She felt sick when she woke and came out here, asking what was wrong, and it wouldn’t have been right to just let her overhear the servants. I didn’t know where you were.”
So Father’s death hadn’t impacted only me. She’d suffered as well. “What did you tell her?”
“You mean about Briar? Or everything?” He laughed humorlessly.
“Everything,” I said sternly. I didn’t have time for snide comments. I had a lot to do, but this had to be addressed.
He shifted his weight and nodded as he drew a hand over his mouth. “I told her that someone murdered your father in your mother’s garden. That whoever it was had been clever. That Briar was involved but most likely as a pawn or a weakness they’d identified to keep you distracted. And that there was an investigation underway. I didn’t say it was Briar’s fault or that Elara should hate her. I told her how I saw it.”
If only I had Briar’s ability to smell lies. In all the time I had known him, Silus had never been prone to lying, but lately I wasn’t sure how well I knew him—or anyone really.
My limbs weighed me down like lead, and my shadows pulsed, confirming the depths of my weariness. “I want to be clear. You are not to discuss Briar with my sister any further. Idon’t trust your judgment, the same as you don't trust mine. If you breach my trust inanyway, I will prevent you from seeing my sister in any capacity. Do you understand?”
“I think your ban should include more than Briar. It should include the king’s death, too, and the circumstances around it.” Thalen huffed. “He wants to poison her mind.”
“If you—” Silus started.
I lifted a hand and cut him off. “Elara may need someone to talk to, and both Thalen and I will be busy. I don’t want her to feel alone or abandoned. But, Silus, I will find out if you so much ashintto my sister that Briar is the problem or was part of the assassination plan. You focus on being there for her in dealing with our father’s death. One misstep, and you won’t have another chance.”
“Understood.” Silus pressed his lips together. “I can’t risk losing her. And I’m not being spiteful. I’m just as concerned for you as I am for her, but you won’t listen to me.”
I exhaled. He might care, but he wasn’t handling this disagreement well. “She cares for you, and I’d hate to be forced to be the villain. Even though we clearly aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, I don’t want to hurt her in any additional ways.” Now that this was settled, I looked to Thalen and nodded toward the door that led out of her chambers. “Let’s go. We have much to do.”
Thalen headed out the door without acknowledging Silus again.
It felt wrong not to tell Silus everything, but I had revealed more than I’d intended. He could still damage our plans if he wanted to, but I did trust that he genuinely cared for us, even though his attitude was misguided.
We left Elara’s chambers and had barely made it to the conjunction of the halls when Thalen cut in front of me.
“You need to rest. If you don’t go to bed, I may commit treason by assaulting the heir of the Shadow King with the Club of Swift Slumber to ensure he sleeps.” Thalen jabbed his finger against my chest, then gestured toward the hall to my own room with a jerk of his thumb. “Your chambers are that way. In case you need reminding, considering it’s been so long since you’ve slept.”
I hesitated. Nausea was still roiling within my stomach, and my fingertips pricked with uncomfortable energy. “There are still tasks?—”
“If it can’t wait, tell me, and I’ll see to it. Otherwise, let it wait.” Thalen stayed directly in front of me.
More arguments rose to my lips, but another rolling wave of nausea cut through me, and my eyes nearly shuttered. “Very well. I’ll rest. Inform the warden and chief interrogator about Colm’s arrival and the arrangement. Make sure there are no wounded feelings, but don’t reveal too much. Come wake me once the High Aureline Council has arrived or if Rhielle awakens. We need to know what she knows.”
“Would you like me to see if Kaylen is available to chat? I’m certain she’d be more than happy to soothe your weary brow.” He flashed a grin before swooping away with his wings spread as one of my shadows swatted at him. The shadow flickered and faded, but Thalen had his back to me at least, so he didn’t see.
I’d pushed myself too far. My stomach cramped with even more nausea, and my head thundered as I made my way into my chambers. The carafe of water by my bedside was mercifully full. I drained it in a single breath, removed my boots, and dropped into bed.
