He dug around in his pocket as he approached the bar where Justine always seemed to be leaning against. She waved her hand in front of her face. “Ye cousin settled up while ye were takin a kip.”
Kade blinked. What? He what? His eyes narrowed as Justine chuckled. “I’d expect he’ll be wantin ye to pay him back, mind. But before ye go, I wanted ta tell ya something.”
Kade shifted closer as Justine’s voice dropped a notch. “That girl of yours is something else. For a slip of a thing, she’s tough as nails. Smart too.”
A hesitant smile brushed his cheeks. That girl of mine? “Sounds like she’s been making friends.”
Justine belly laughed. “If ye call helping to drive ol’ Geoff outta his place and give us the idea ta set his stash on fire, then, yar, she’s making close friends.”
Kade’s mouth slackened as Justine proceeded to tell him rather gleefully how Hadley had rallied the tavern to drive Geoff out of business.
His mouth was still slack as Hadley sidled up to him, looking as delicate and fragile as ever. Her lips quirked into a smile as she cocked her head at him. Kade scrunched up his face, still bewildered as she hugged Justine goodbye as if they were old acquaintances.
He found his tongue long enough to thank Justine and the two elderly farmers for their assistance. He was about to exit when a sickly boy stumbled down the stairs, legs looking like a wobbling jelly as Amy rushed to him ready to support him. “Lukey! You decided to join us.”
Kade narrowed his eyes, recognition hitting him when the boy gave him a wry smile. “I’d never thought I’d be thanking someone for putting a knife in me, but you saved my life, Stormer Kade. Thank you.”
Kade shook his proffered limp handshake, stepping away before anyone else would present themselves, and want a hug, or offer a sage word or anything else he wasn’t equipped to deal with.
He just wanted to get out of here, to get Hadley and figure out the mess his life had suddenly become.
By the time Hadley had extricated herself from well-wishers, the sun was half way across the sky. Hadley strode ahead with Amy who’d insisted on coming to help them with their mounts.
He caught Carl’s eye as they made their way back to the stables. “You mentioned they need to keep an eye out for trouble?”
Carl nodded. “I had a chat with a couple of the farmers before I woke you. They know. But sounds like Chris and Moss wouldn’t have any reason to come back since Geoff’s cleared off.”
He shook his head still uncertain of what had happened as they followed Hadley inside. “They should be safe enough.”
After another round of hugging and muffled sniffles, Hadley finally seemed ready to say goodbye to her new friend.
As they mounted and pulled away, Amy’s red hair blurred into the background of the tavern and they were able to begin their journey back towards the Retreat he no longer considered a safe haven.
In a few more days, his career, his sister’s relationship and the lies would all be over.
One week later.
Hadley eased back in her saddle and tried to relax her muscles. Her mind whirling as she tried to make sense of what Carl and Kade were discussing. Or rather, not discussing in front of her.
Luna nosed in the grass, chasing a scent and behaving as she normally did. But Carl was subdued, as subdued as Carl ever seemed to be. His jokes were forced, and he’d even stopped any pretence of flirting.
Kade was attempting to make conversation as he had done the entire way back to Renhold, leaving her to think he was trying to steer her away from asking the questions she really wanted answered.
Every time she tried to ask, they’d find something else to talk about, trying to distract her as if she were a child.
She was torn between forcing an answer, and between letting it go. All she knew was they had a plan to help the boys they’d found, and that plan was dependant on getting back to the Retreat as quickly as possible.
She’d done everything she could to accommodate them: not fussing when they’d camped out in the open, snatching sleep when she could, pushing herself to the limits so they could return to help the lost boys—all the while holding the slightest hope Thomas might be among those retrieved, that he might soften towards her and they might find a way to make peace.
But now that they’d reached Renhold, the travel and the worry had settled in like a fog clouding everything in uncertainty. She’d been so sure of herself a week ago.
Yes, Thomas had gone, but she’d felt there was a future still possible. Now she was left with a gnawing worry Kade was keeping something from her, that he’d done something terrible and was trying to spare her.
I should just leave it. But something in the way he and Carl were acting around her made her uneasy; all the asides and exchanged glances caused even more anxiety to bloom.
She’d decided to push for an answer when they passed by the stone chapel, and Kade’s body went rigid, his voice just above a growl. “Cester’s here.”
Hadley followed his line of sight to where a marbled horse was tethered to the railing. Carl huffed out a breath. “He’ll be making wedding plans.”
Kade’s jaw worked as he dismounted and drew his horse away. “Take Hadley back. I’ll be there as soon as I can be.”
Hadley’s protest was stolen when Kade shook his head, his face grim and his posture hard. “I need you to be somewhere else. Please. Carl can fill you in. But right now, this is between Cester and me.”
He turned on his heel and stalked towards the chapel, leaving his rejection stinging her. Carl’s heavy sigh penetrated her bubble of anxiety. “I’m going to need your help calming down Meg.”
Hadley twisted to stare at him, the words out of her mouth before she could stop them. “What do you mean? What’s about to happen?”
Carl shrugged lightly, his mount shifting under him. “Cester’s been lying to us. And Meg needs to know before it’s too late.”
Hadley’s cheeks flooded with heat. “Carl, tell me what’s going on. What is Kade planning to do?”
Carl’s eyes were cold as he peered at her. “What he does best.”
Hadley’s breath hitched, her foot unhooking from the stirrup in preparation to dismount and go after Kade.
Carl moved swiftly, drawing his mount closer, his forehead creasing as he reached for her arm. “Trust me. You don’t want to get in the middle of this. And Meg is going to need a friend.”
Hadley pulled backwards, trying to get out of his grip but he held fast. “He doesn’t want you there.”
Hadley’s chin wobbled as she relented. “Please, just tell me what’s going on.”
Carl released her and huffed out a long sigh. “Cester is royalty. If Meg marries him, she may as well put a target on her back. He’s been in hiding, shirking his responsibility to keep the rest of his family safe.”
The air left her lungs, her thoughts rushing to catch up with what that meant.
Carl’s tone was a notch above pleading as he held her wavering gaze. “He doesn’t trust Cester anymore. The last thing he wants is you possibly getting hurt. I know you’ve got a gazillion questions. Come with me now, and I’ll fill you in on the rest while we ride.”
Hadley lingered, eyes caught between rushing into the simple stone building and wanting to go to Meg. She’d be devastated, humiliated and surrounded by Cester’s family.
Her resolve to go after Kade faltered and disappeared as she realised she needed to leave. As much as she wanted to help Kade, this wasn’t something she could assist him with.
She’d seen the betrayal on his face in Amaria when he’d discovered Cester had lied to him; how much worse was this now that Meg was involved?
Hadley nodded to Carl and dug her heels in, preparing to hear all Kade had left out, preparing to face Meg and Cester’s family and wonder who exactly she could trust if good people like the Hamlin clan had lied so boldly to them all.
Chapter Twelve
Kade’s hands shook as he crossed the
threshold, scanning the chapel for signs of his captain. He waited until his eyes adjusted to the gloom before entering a building he’d never been inside before.
For a house of worship, it didn’t seem like much: simple benches made of coarse wood on bare floors and windows with plain, unstained windows.
His muscles seem to simultaneously tighten as he spotted Cester sitting on a bench at the front. His head down, shoulders slumped as he leaned over.
Kade’s blood heated as he crossed the distance, not bothering to keep his footsteps light. This would be no sneak attack. He wanted Cester to hear him coming.
If the priest was inside, Kade didn’t see him as he stood in front of Cester, who still bowed over. He kept his voice even as he spoke. “Captain.”
Cester’s head shot up, his eyebrows rising as he rose to his feet, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He extended his hand in greeting, a flickering of uncertainty on his drawn face.
Kade folded his arms over his chest, barely able to contain his emotions as he stared at Cester.
Cester’s expression turned wary as he slowly dropped his arm. “What brings you inside the house of the Ancient? Where are Hadley and Carl? Did you find the boys? Hadley’s brother?”
Kade stepped back a little, fighting to contain himself. “You lied to me again.”
Cester’s eyes widened a fraction before he blew out a breath, resignation written on his face. “You met with Captain Taggart then? He’s behind the disappearances?”
Kade bristled at the mention. “That’s why you didn’t want us to meet him, isn’t it?”
Cester’s lips pressed together. “What did he tell you? That I’m a murderous coward who ran?”
Kade’s jaw slackened with the admission. “He said you were in line for the crown, that you took your family and ran rather than contest the current king’s claim.”
Cester flinched and gestured to the benches. “Why don’t we talk? The Padre won’t be back for a while.”
Kade shook his head. “I’m sick of your lies. I’m sick of being played for a fool. You’re a hypocrite, and there is no way you are marrying my sister.”
Cester’s face drained of colour, a pained expression flashing across his face. “Please understand. I never wanted to lie to you. But once a lie begins, it’s hard to stop it. I had my family to protect—”
Kade spat the words, anger igniting in his chest. “You saved them and left the country to break in two. Because of your failure to step up, Azetaria is on the brink of civil war! All your high and mighty morals, and you turned your back on your calling and ran.”
Cester’s face flushed. “I expect you of all people to understand why we ran. I’d lost my father and my siblings. My mother was desperate when she…” Cester’s voice broke as he planted his feet and ran an exasperated hand over his face. “I was fifteen when my father, brother and sister were murdered.”
Kade gaped at him. Fifteen. The same age I was when he recruited me. How had he missed the importance of the time frame? Two decades Taggart had said. He’d just assumed Cester was close enough to Meg’s age, but Cester had almost fifteen years on his sister.
Kade’s forehead creased, his fists still clenched, hot fire running through him. “You lied. About who you were. About why you sent me to Amaria, and the gods know what you’ve lied to Meg about. There is nothing you can do to make this right. You’re nothing but a fake and a fraud, and I will tell Meg everything.”
Any fight he’d prepared for vanished at the mention of Meg’s name. Cester’s entire body seemed to sag. “I told her everything the minute you left, but of course I understand. You wish to rescind your blessing.”
Kade shook his head, confusion mingling with the anger. “You told her?”
Cester’s posture remained almost submissive, his tone flat. “I suspected Taggart was playing a part in this. He’s one of the few who knew me when I first became a Stormer, and he was always suspicious, always asking about my family. I knew I couldn’t hide it forever, and despite what you may think of me, I couldn’t do that to Meg.”
Kade held his ground as he looked on the man who’d given him so much but demanded more in return. “You knew what you were doing to her. You purposely pursued her when you knew you’d be putting her at risk.”
Cester’s voice remained passive, though a spark ignited in his eyes as he spoke. “Until I met your sister, I thought I would remain a bachelor. That my line would die out with me. I would have kept her safe. That’s why I needed to leave the Stormers. When Jax arrived, I thought Taggart had finally decided to come for me. To force me to act. But he wasn’t after me.”
Kade narrowed his eyes. “No. He was only retrieving the princess for the High Priest in Kingsport. Behind Taggart’s back. It was a coincidence.”
Cester narrowed his eyes. “The High Priest is behind all this? He wants to take control?”
Kade adjusted his stance, still wary he may need to act. But not before Cester spilt all of his secrets and not before he promised to do something about the boys still camped out.
They’d checked the food supplies, and there was a cook of sorts, but with most of the boys around Luke’s age, they needed to act quickly or risk losing them to withdrawal, sickness or violence when the stronger preyed on the weak.
Kade forced his voice not to betray him. “Did you murder your captain so you could take his place?”
Cester’s jaw worked before he answered. “No. Captain Edwards knew who I was. He was friends with my father when the Stormers worked by royal appointment. He offered Todd and I positions in his unit and did away with the last name Romano.
“My mother reverted to her maiden name and took the rest of our family to the Retreat. Edwards made the crucial error of taking me to Amaria as his scout. I was his second-in-command. I took over the Captaincy, and Todd returned to make sure everyone left in the Romano family stayed safe in the valley.”
Kade’s resolve began to waver the more Cester spoke. He backed up and sank onto the bench seat before waving a hand for Cester to continue.
Cester took a cautious step back to the spot he had been sitting on. “What could I do? My mother had lost so much already. The night men came for us, she hid me away, and my guards were able to intervene before I was found. My siblings weren’t so fortunate. I found my sister slaughtered in her bedroom. My brother, Jacob, on the stairs as he tried to escape.”
Kade’s stomach twisted as he saw why Cester wanted no part of a claim that would cause such savage brutality. The Numachi had nothing on the bluebloods of Azetaria.
Cester’s shoulders began to shake, his voice strained. “I couldn’t save my father. I couldn’t save my brother and sister. But I knew if I hid with my mother, my aunts and my cousin, they’d stay safe.”
His eyes were moist as he turned a piercing gaze on Kade. “Tell me you wouldn’t have done the same?”
Kade stared at him. He didn’t need to think. He’d have done the same. He’d have run. He’d have taken Meg and Carl and run as far away as he could get. Not looking back once. Not caring about anything or anyone until he knew his family was out of harm’s way.
No wonder Cester had no problem taking on the three of the remaining Dawson family. It would have been history repeating itself. Except over the last two years, Cester had fallen for Meg, changing everything for them all.
Kade blew out a sigh. The last part of his anger blew away along with it. Would he have done things quite the same? He would never know for sure. He didn’t come from Cester’s wealthy background or share his nobility. But he understood the importance of family. That, at least, they shared, if nothing else.
Cester’s head hung a little lower, his voice contrite as he spoke. “I did lie to you, Kade. And I regret that you suffered because of my lies. I’m sorry that I abused your trust. But most of all I’m sorry I can’t be what this country needs me to be. If I reveal who I am now, you can be sure the king or one of the others in line will seek me and my family
out.”
Kade worked his jaw along with the problem. “You’ll never be safe here. One of these days someone will find you out. You came close before. What guarantees can you possibly give me that Meg won’t be in danger?”
Cester held his eye for a long moment before he shook his head. “I can’t give you a guarantee.”
Kade’s eyebrows hitched at the despondent look on his captain’s face. “Who else knows who you are?”
Cester’s massive shoulders lifted in a shrug. “The Romanos haven’t been bothered since they’ve been here. Taggart has always been a shadow lurking.”
Kade ignored the multiple questions pummelling him and focused on the problem at hand. Meg’s safety. And her happiness.
“Taggart is no longer a problem.”
Cester swallowed, his face twisted into a contortion of relief, then guilt. Kade tapped his finger on the closest knife hilt as he thought. “There is only one way to be sure and that’s to renounce all claim to the throne.”
Cester’s eyes widened, before he swallowed thickly. “There will still be some who seek my family harm.”
Kade nodded slowly. Of course, there would be. But there was an easy fix. One that would solve all their problems.
He took a breath and expelled it slowly, feeling no guilt or remorse. He would do what it took. He’d do what only a Stormer could do.
His voice was calm as he looked his captain in the eye. “There’s a simple solution to all of this. But you won’t like it.”
Neither will I.
Carl continued talking all the way back to the Retreat. With every detail shared, Hadley’s heart began to ache a little more for the betrayal the Dawson family must be feeling.
As they passed through the gates of the Retreat, and Ma Hamlin waved as though expecting them, her heartsickness grew. How could they be royalty? How could they have lied and hidden away like that when the country starved around them?
Ma Hamlin had been so sweet, so kind and so utterly deceitful. How was she supposed to reconcile the old woman who’d lied with the woman who’d been so instrumental in getting her to open up to Kade?
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