A War for Truth

by M. Lynn

  Davi shifted his gaze to the door, unable to meet his father’s gaze for a moment longer. Had he forgotten so easily? Davi could still picture it. Lorelai’s mother kneeling on the platform. Tears streaming down Lorelai’s face.

  Was he supposed to act like it never happened? Like his father hadn’t had his own sister executed?

  Lord Eisner’s gruff voice broke through Davi’s dangerous thoughts. “After they—” He took a deep breath. “After my son sacrificed himself for our cause, Trystan left Dreach-Sciene in the hands of that dunce, Coille. The messenger said they left with supplies enough for a long journey.”

  “Why would he leave his palace?” Davi mused. “Everything he needs is behind those walls.”

  Calis paced across the room, turned, and walked back. “Not everything.” One side of his mouth tilted up. “Eisner, did they have any wagons with them?”

  “No, sire.”

  Calis rubbed his chin absently. “Then we don’t have long.” He turned and marched toward the door. “Take your men and make for the border. Do not intercept them. Do you hear me, Eisner? You are not to engage. Go back to Isenore. Shore up our support across the border. Buy it if you have to. Threaten if you can.”

  Eisner opened his mouth to protest, but Calis’s footsteps echoed down the halls.

  Davi ran after his father. “I need to speak with you.”

  “About Lorelai?” He looked sideways. “Already taken care of. We have bigger things to focus on, Davion. Guests to prepare for.”

  “Guests?”

  Calis flashed him a wicked smile and stopped outside Ramsey’s room.

  Wait, what did it mean Lorelai was taken care of? His gut churned. He’d seen what his father was capable of.

  Before he had a chance to answer, Ramsey’s door burst open.

  “Your Majesty.” Ramsey bowed.

  Calis pushed him aside and entered the room. “I have a present for you, sorcerer.”

  “A present, sire?”

  Calis turned to him with the same smile he’d given Davi. “How would you like to meet your grandchildren?”

  Ramsey’s face paled, and he stumbled back to sit on the edge of his bed. He gripped the bedpost until his knuckles turned white.

  “They’re coming here?”

  Davi’s brow furrowed. Here? Why would Trystan Renauld leave the safety of his own kingdom?

  He didn’t have to wait long for an answer because Ramsey spoke again. “They’re coming for me.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. Pushing out a breath, he opened them again. “This must mean they’re with Lonara and Briggs.”

  “The Tri-Gard is almost complete.” Calis clapped his hands together. “We’ve been waiting for this.”

  Steel entered Ramsey’s gaze. “I won’t help you hurt them.”

  Anger flashed across Calis’ face. “I don’t need your help. I didn’t back then and I don’t now.”

  Ramsey sighed in understanding. “This is about her. About Marissa.”

  “Don’t speak that name to me!”

  Davi flicked his eyes from his father to Ramsey.

  “I told you it wasn’t healthy not to grieve for her.” Ramsey’s eyes pinched in sadness.

  “Why would I grieve for the woman who betrayed me?”

  “Because you loved her. You’ve been denying it for many years, but I knew you two back then. You were in love with my daughter.”

  Calis yelled something unintelligible and twisted toward the door. He didn’t leave, but his back heaved with heavy breaths.

  Ramsey’s gaze found Davi in silent communication. Had this been for Davi’s benefit? What did Ramsey want him to see?

  When Calis finally got his breath under control, he spoke in a low, measured tone. “Marissa Kane was nothing to me but a traitor. Her children are nothing but the enemy. When they arrive, we will welcome them.”

  Surely Davi hadn’t heard him right.

  Calis sucked in a breath. “And then we will destroy them.”

  He walked from the room without another word, leaving Davi behind.

  When Davi moved toward the door, Ramsey’s voice stopped him. “Just a minute, boy.”

  Davi turned and crossed his arms. He’d never been alone with the sorcerer. His father hadn’t allowed it.

  The relationship between his father and Ramsey confused him. Ramsey was a prisoner, but there was a familiarity between the two. And Davi had never seen a prisoner treated so well. His father relied on Ramsey more than anyone else. Even his own son.

  It reminded him how little of his father he actually knew.

  “Speak,” Davi said.

  Ramsey chuckled. “You’re just like your father.” Despite his laughter, a bitterness hung in his words. “You have questions. I can see them in your eyes.”

  “My father loved your daughter?” He couldn’t picture his father loving anyone.

  Ramsey sighed. “There was a time when Marissa was Calis’ world. They grew up together and were the best of friends. Your father wasn’t always the man he is today. As a child, he was kind. Marissa was very fond of him.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “War. It changes people. My girl was a general, and she thrived on it. Not on battle, but on leadership, independence. The first time Calis ever killed a man, he cried.”

  Davi’s jaw dropped open.

  Ramsey chuckled. “I can still see the look on his face.” He shook his head wistfully and his smiled dropped. “So his father had him beaten with magic and then made him execute some prisoners himself. Marissa fought for Dreach-Dhoun for the first few years of the war. I remember the day she left so clearly. It was both the best and worst day of my life. We’d seen Calis grow colder and more ruthless. When he became king, Marissa knew she had to leave before he could force her onto the throne beside him.”

  Ramsey’s voice dropped off for a moment. “My granddaughter looks like her. All these years we’ve been using blood magic to watch through your eyes have been like having my girl returned to me.”

  Davi’s face scrunched in concentration. “You keep mentioning a granddaughter but there was only Trystan.”

  Ramsey stood and patted him on the back. “You’ll meet her soon.”

  Davi couldn’t help the sadness he felt for the man. He’d lost his daughter and been held prisoner most of his life.

  “I’m sorry about Marissa.” Davi trained his eyes on his feet. “And what has to happen to your grandchildren.” He rubbed his face, giving his head a slight shake. “I want my revenge, but it doesn’t seem so important anymore. When does it end? Lord Eisner was here tonight. He lost his son. Lorelai killed Trystan’s father. We’re going after Trystan. I may not remember a lot of things, but I do know each time one of us strikes, it creates this hole. It’s not just about the people who die, but also the ones who lose them.” He raised his eyes to Ramsey as Lorelai’s mother’s prophecy suddenly came back to him. She said Dreach-Dhoun was going to lose. “I fear none of us will stop until we have nothing left.”

  Ramsey held his gaze, and the silence stretched between them.

  Finally, a breath rushed from the sorcerer. “I was wrong, Prince Davion. You’re nothing like your father.”

  Davi didn’t have all of his memories yet, but he was beginning to think the memories didn’t make him who he was. Since the night in the village, he’d felt like himself. Like Davion. Not like a prince or a lost boy returned home.

  Was his aunt’s prophecy real? If Dreach-Dhoun had no chance in the war to come, why were they hurtling toward it with alarming speed?

  The royal guard trained from dusk ‘til dawn. The army was camped only a few leagues away. If Dreach-Sciene attacked first, magic would be able to play its part. But his father prepared for a long trek into Dreach-Sciene. They wouldn’t survive a battle against the larger kingdom if they couldn’t use magic.

  An ache throbbed in his skull and he rubbed his temples as he turned the corner to head toward his rooms.

  His
breath caught in his throat. Leaning against his door was his cousin. He ran the length of the hall and skidded to a stop in front of her. She’d been kept in the dungeon for over a week. Her clothes were caked in grime. Dark circles ringed her puffy eyes. A sickly gray pallor tinged her skin.

  “Lorelai.” He gripped her arm as she tried to straighten and almost fell.

  “Hey Dav.” She latched onto him as she stumbled again. “I couldn’t stand the thought of going to my own rooms.”

  Without warning, he crushed her to him, her betrayal forgotten. She’d only been protecting her mother. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “Okay is relative.”

  The stench wafting off her hit his nose, but he didn’t let go.

  “Davi, I’m not going to collapse if you let me go.”

  He chuckled and reached behind her to push the door open before helping her through. He led her to the sitting area, and she practically fell onto the couch.

  Davi stood in front of her, his fingers clenched together. “Cousin, I-I’m sorry. My father shouldn’t—”

  A dark look morphed across Lorelai’s features, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand. “That was hardly the first time he’s punished me by putting me in a cell.”

  He sat heavily in a chair across from her and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Your mother—”

  “Don’t, Davi.” She shook her head, her filthy blond hair falling over one shoulder.

  “It’s just…” He focused on his hands. “I’m sorry, okay? It sucks. My father had your mother executed. How am I supposed to get over that? How are we supposed to move on?”

  “Watch your words, Davion. They sound rather close to treason.”

  His eyes widened. “I didn’t mean… of course, I’m loyal to my father. I mean, the guy searched for me for fifteen years and sent part of his army to save me. We’re family. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be disappointed in him.”

  “That’s exactly what it means.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I know what you’re feeling. I went through the same thing. You thought your father was better than the rest of us. Good. Now you’re realizing he lives in as much darkness as anyone else. The first time he ordered me to do something I didn’t agree with, I tried to run because I didn’t understand. Once you give your loyalty to Calis Bearne, he owns it. If you even try to break your oaths, you will pay and so will everyone you love.”

  Davi leaned back. He hadn’t truly been reconsidering his loyalty to his own father. But who did he have that he loved? Lorelai. He met her gaze and knew he’d do anything to protect her.

  “He’s my father, Lorelai.” Davi looked away. “I’d never turn my back on him.”

  She hummed in the back of her throat, but it was cut off by a horn blaring through the stone walls.

  Davi jumped to his feet. “Stay here.”

  “Not on your life. Help me up.”

  He only hesitated a moment before bending to let her wrap an arm around his neck and helped her to her feet.

  “I think I can walk on my own,” she said.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to rest and eat… maybe bathe?”

  “Davion Bearne, are you telling me I stink?” She shook her head. “That horn went off twice. It means a border regiment has arrived. They’re the highest order of the guard and don’t often leave the border.”

  “They’re here.”

  “Who?” She looked to him curiously.

  “The king of Dreach-Sciene.”

  He hadn’t thought it was possible for her to get any paler.

  “T-the k-king,” she stammered.

  Davi nodded. “Why else would bordermen leave their post? Trystan Renauld has come.”

  “Trystan.” The breath rushed out of her. “Oh, right. Marcus is dead. I was there.” She closed her eyes. “Let’s go.”

  The halls buzzed with activity. Everyone was curious about the horn and what it meant. Davi kept a close eye on Lorelai, but his mind was elsewhere as he walked toward the meeting he’d wanted since waking up without his memories.

  Trystan Renauld kept him prisoner for fifteen years. But the burn for revenge had lessened.

  Guards lined the courtyard and Davi stopped at his father’s side.

  “It’s a great day, son.” Calis grinned.

  The sun beat down on them mercilessly as the bordermen rode through the gates atop their tall steeds. Cloaks of fur were wrapped around their hulking frames. Many of them were stationed in the mountain section of the border.

  Sweat dripped down Davi’s face. They must have been burning up all bundled like they were.

  The last four horses appeared with figures tied into the saddles. Davi’s eyes drifted over them. Avery. He remembered her beating him with a sword, humiliating him over the years. Alixa. She’d been the sharp-tongued brat who had betrayed her own father.

  Trystan was next. Even with ties around his wrists, he sat tall, refusing to look away from his captors.

  The last figure had flaming red hair that covered her face. Her slight frame was hunched over angrily. She shifted and her hair fell back.

  Davi sucked in a breath. He’d seen those eyes before. He couldn’t pull the memory free but he didn’t take his eyes from her as she was yanked from the horse. Her feet hit the ground and her knees buckled. She fell forward.

  Calis walked toward them. “Already kneeling. Seems you know your place, girl.”

  When she looked up at him, fire flashed in her eyes.

  He reached out to push her hair back.

  “Don’t touch me,” she spit, snapping her teeth at his hand.

  Trystan tried to run to his sister, but two burly guards held his arms. “Leave her alone.”

  “Ah, yes. The great Trystan Renauld.” Calis straightened and faced Trystan. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  Davi had forgotten Lorelai’s presence until she slid her arm down and stepped in front of him.

  “You!” Trystan yelled, trying to yank his arms free as his gaze found Lorelai. “We took you in. What did my father ever do to you?”

  Trystan managed to break free and ran at Lorelai before anyone could stop him. His hands were still tied, but that didn’t stop him.

  Enough. Davi shoved Lorelai behind him with a sudden movement before Trystan collided with him.

  Trystan bounced off Davi and stumbled back, his eyes wide. “Davi?”

  Davi advanced. “Do not touch my cousin.”

  “Cousin?” Trystan’s haunted eyes searched his face. He stepped forward and raised his tied hands to touch Davi’s face. “Is it really you?”

  “Davi?” another voice said numbly.

  The girl with fire-kissed hair climbed to her feet. A guard held her back as another took control of Trystan. All fight drained from the pair.

  “Davi?” she said again, shaking her head. “No, you’re dead. I saw you die.”

  Davi walked toward her, craning his neck to look into her emerald eyes. Familiarity struck him, but he didn’t understand why. He cocked his head.

  Her eyes shone with unshed tears. She gave him a tentative smile.

  “It’s you,” she whispered.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  She reeled back, agony etched across her face. “Davi,” she pleaded. “Tell me you’re really standing in front of me. That I’m not dreaming.”

  “I don’t know you.” He turned on his heel and left the courtyard behind. He needed a moment to clear his mind before his father summoned him as he knew he would.

  A sob echoed behind him, soon covered up by the activity of the guards.

  Those eyes.

  How could he have ever forgotten them?

  He may not know the girl, but the despair swirling in the depths of her gaze was enough to tell him he should.

  Chapter 20

  A rough hand prodded Rissa forward but she couldn’t feel it. Her feet stumbled and moved of their own accord as the world around her blurred.
r />   Noises faded to the background until the only sound in her ears was her own breath, rasping through her lungs.

  “Don’t touch her,” someone screamed as strong fingers closed around her arms.

  “Trystan,” another voice called. “Don’t fight them. Not yet.”

  Alixa. Trystan.

  Rissa shook her head.

  Davi.

  He’d been there right in front of her. Close enough to touch. No. Impossible. Davi was dead.

  Soldiers formed up around them, an imposing force. Their booted steps echoed off the cold stone and Rissa shivered.

  Whoever that man had been, it couldn’t be Dav. He’d looked at her without recognition in his eyes. Calis was playing some cruel joke with his magic.

  A guard jerked her forward until she was right in front of the king of Dreach-Dhoun, the man who’d almost destroyed her kingdom and ordered her father’s death.

  Dark eyes scanned her from head to toe and widened. Hardening herself, she lifted her chin, refusing to cower. Trystan shouted something else before a guard covered his mouth, but she didn’t hear him as the dark king drew her in.

  He was a beautiful portrait, cold and unfeeling.

  He lifted a hand and ran his fingertips down her cheek. She forced herself to remain still.

  “It’s remarkable,” he whispered.

  Rissa held her breath.

  “Sire.” One of the soldiers stepped forward. “We have delivered the prisoners.”

  “I can see that,” Calis snapped. “Your men may return to the border.”

  The soldier barked out an order, and the bordermen marched out of the courtyard, leaving Rissa, Trystan, Alixa, and Avery in the hands of the more refined royal guard.

  Calis continued to stare until his eyes caught on the golden disk at Rissa’s throat.

  She swallowed hard as his hand traveled the length of her neck, stopping at the chain of her mother’s necklace. He lifted it off her chest and pushed out a breath.

  Ghosts swam in his eyes.

  Lorelai put a delicate hand on his arm and he dropped the necklace.