A War for Truth

by M. Lynn

  “Uncle,” she said. “What are your orders?”

  Rissa’s eyes drifted to the woman who’d killed her father and wanted to laugh. The seer had seen better days. Filthy clothing and ratty hair were just the beginning. She deserved all of it.

  “I see what stabbing kings in their sleep gets you,” Rissa spat.

  Lorelai looked away.

  “Figures.” Rissa jerked her head away from another touch from Calis. “Hands off, asshole.”

  A smile split Calis’ face and he laughed. “You have her spirit as well as her looks.”

  “Who?”

  “Marissa Kane.”

  Marissa? Her mother? But her last name wasn’t Kane. Was it? Rissa knew nothing of her mother’s life before she married her father except that she’d been in the Dreach-Dhoun army, but something Briggs once said came back to her. He’d called her Marissa Kane as well.

  “Oh dear, it seems like your father had his secrets.” He turned to Lorelai. “Niece, inform both Ramsey and my son that they are expected in the throne room. Then, for earth’s sake, get yourself a bath.”

  Lorelai bobbed her head and entered the palace.

  Calis looked to his guards. “Untie them. They’re our guests.”

  Rissa rubbed her wrists as soon as the ropes were cut. Trystan ran to her as Calis turned to walk inside.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I can still feel his hand on me.” She wiped at her cheek. “We were right. He knew we were coming and was prepared. Why didn’t he just throw us in the dungeons?”

  “Rissa.” Trystan gripped her shoulders. “Slow down. Didn’t you see what I saw? Da-”

  “And what did he mean about Marissa Kane? Did he mean Mom? He must have if he thinks I look like her. Did you see the way he was looking at me? I feel dirty.”

  “Rissa,” he hissed. “What is wrong with you?”

  “For starters, I’m now a prisoner in an impregnable castle in the middle of an enemy kingdom full of magic.”

  “Didn’t you see him?”

  “Who?”

  “Davi!” He took a step away from her.

  “Move it,” a guard ordered, pressing them through the door. Arched stone ceilings greeted them in the wide hall.

  Rissa leaned close to Trystan. “Davi is dead, brother.”

  “Somehow, he’s not. He was there. I’d recognize him anywhere.”

  “I thought I saw him too, but it was just a manifestation of what I wanted to see. That man didn’t even know me. Calis is messing with our heads somehow.”

  The guards ushered them into a cavernous room. Velvet carpet spread before them in a sea of red, stopping at the edge of steps that led up to a wooden throne.

  Calis waved his guards away before turning to Trystan. “You’d be wise not to consider doing anything I don’t like just because my guards aren’t here. Trust me, boy, I am more powerful than anyone you’ve ever met.”

  To Trystan’s credit, he didn’t back away from the other king’s harsh stare.

  Remnants of the magic Rissa had felt since crossing the border sat just underneath her skin, but it was only pieces. Inside these walls, she couldn’t draw on more and she didn’t know how to release the little she had.

  Calis looked at something over Rissa’s shoulder and smiled. “Ah, Ramsey.”

  Rissa turned. Trystan, Alixa, and Avery did the same.

  The final Tri-Gard member stood in the doorway, his eyes rounded. He was young, much younger than Rissa had anticipated, but she knew the Tri-Gard had the ability to hide their age, the choice to remain forever young. She’d forgotten that as she traveled with Briggs who seemed ancient by comparison.

  Ramsey Kane’s blond hair had hints of red. His fair face grew pale.

  This was the man who’d betrayed them all those years before; who’d forced the other two Tri-Gard members into draining Dreach-Sciene’s magic.

  Ramsey Kane.

  Kane.

  The name struck Rissa. “Marissa Kane,” she whispered. Trystan caught her words and stared on in shock. The man standing before them—the sorcerer who’d allied with Calis Bearne—was their grandfather. How had they not realized this before?

  Rissa rubbed her mother’s necklace and a laugh burst out of her. Then another. She clutched her stomach, unable to stop. Their grandfather looked young enough to be their brother. They were descended from a Tri-Gard member. It made so much sense now. Lonara’s love for their mother. Briggs’ knowledge of her. Their father’s secrets.

  Trystan reached for her, but she shrugged him off. “No.” She laughed again, the dam of her emotions finally breaking free.

  Ramsey walked forward, concern in his fathomless eyes.

  “Don’t come any closer,” Rissa yelled before devolving into another fit of laughter. There was no humor in any of these revelations but if she stopped, she’d tear her own hair out.

  “Shut up, girl,” Calis ordered.

  She couldn’t.

  “Ri.” There was a caution in Trystan’s voice.

  “I said shut up!”

  A blast of power hit Rissa square in the chest, stealing the air from her lungs and sending her flying across the room. Her scream cut off as she passed Ramsey and slammed into someone else. They both went sprawling to the ground, Rissa collapsing across his chest.

  Her limbs wouldn’t work for a long moment before she finally pushed off the man whose presence saved her from crashing into a much harder surface.

  Catching her breath, she hovered over him and opened her eyes.

  Had she passed out? That was the only explanation for her staring directly into the eyes she knew so well.

  “Davi,” she breathed.

  He stilled. “You’re crushing me.”

  She’d have given anything to hear that voice again. “Say something else.”

  Confusion clouded his face. “Get off.”

  Her lips curled up, and she leaned down to press them against his. For one blissful moment, nothing else existed.

  The burning started low in her chest before another blast of power struck her and her body jerked off him.

  She lay still for a stunned moment, watching as he got to his feet and brushed his pants off. He walked toward Calis without another glance.

  “I see you’ve been listening to me, son.” Calis grinned.

  “Keeping magic stored inside me does come in handy.” He stopped at his father’s side and turned to face them.

  Someone extended a hand to Rissa, and she lifted her eyes to Ramsey’s. Her hand was small in his as he pulled her to her feet.

  “Don’t let them see it affect you, my dear,” he whispered. “Calis will use your emotions against you. And Davion…” He shook his head sadly. “Don’t blame him for any of this.”

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  Ramsey only pointed to his head in answer before leading her back to the others.

  Calis waved a hand, and the doors shut with a resounding thud. The torches along the wall flickered and the flames grew, illuminating the shadowy room.

  Calis walked to a table along the wall where pitchers sat surrounded by ornate golden cups. “Wine?” he asked. He poured it into cups without waiting for an answer and passed them out. “You’ve never tasted wine like this in Dreach-Sciene. Without magic in the soil, they can’t get the same flavor.”

  No one responded, so he continued to talk. “I’m disappointed in you. I expected Briggs and Lonara to join you on this ill-advised journey.”

  Trystan’s face reddened and his fingers clenched around the wine goblet. Anger rose in him and as he saw Calis’ smug face, he threw his cup against the wall. Burgundy liquid streamed down the walls. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

  Davi lurched forward, but his father held him back.

  “I am sorry, young king,” Calis said. “I do not mean to offend. Of course, you wouldn’t bring me your greatest assets.”

  Trystan trained his eyes on Davi. “Do you have something
to say to me, brathair?”

  Davi clenched his jaw. “I am not your brother. You kept me prisoner for fifteen years.”

  Prisoner?

  Davi had been a part of the family.

  “Dav,” Rissa pleaded. “Explain.”

  “I don’t have to explain anything to you. I don’t even know you.”

  Rissa put her hands on the top of her head and spun away to avoid their heavy stares as she broke right down the middle. What was wrong with him? She clutched at her throat, struggling for air. Her head shook. “You do.” She closed her eyes. “Davi, you know me. I…” She shut her quivering jaw.

  “This explains so much,” Trystan said.

  “Speak up, boy.” Calis took a sip of his wine. “If you have a reason for spilling the wine your host so graciously gave you, I’d like to hear it.”

  “It’s all been planned. Us. My father. Davion. It was Lorelai who convinced my father to take Davi in when we thought he was just an orphan boy.”

  “You mean when Marcus Renauld kidnapped me?” Davi snapped.

  “Is that really what you think? Dav, that man was like a father to you.”

  “I have a father.”

  Rissa faced them once again as red crept up her cheeks. “Shut up.” She ran at him. “I’ll kill you, Davion.” She collided with him and connected her fist to his stomach. “I’ll do it. Don’t think I won’t. We took you in.” She hit him again. “You were family, you ass. Family!” She swung once more, but he grabbed her fist.

  “I am not your family.” He raised his hand to strike her with magic. Before he could, Trystan pulled her back, wrapping her in his arms.

  “Calm down, Ri,” he said.

  She pushed away from him. “Like you? Do you care about any of this? We’ve lost, Trystan. I don’t know how we ever thought we’d be able to get Ramsey Kane out of here. We’re children playing at saving the world. Well, guess what? We failed.”

  She held her wrists out to Calis. “Tie me up, take me to a cell. I don’t care. But I’m done talking to you.” Her eyes found Davi once more, expecting to see more indignation or hatred. Instead, there was only confusion.

  Calis sighed. “We’re finished for tonight, but tomorrow is another day.” He jerked his hand, and the door opened. Two guards entered. “Show our guests to their rooms.”

  The stories of the Dreach-Dhoun dungeons were widespread, but those dank cells weren’t where they were led.

  The four of them were separated and a silent guard led Rissa to a room down a long hall. The doors opened, and she narrowed her eyes at the opulence. They were prisoners, yet the plush carpets and silk draperies spoke of honored guests. She shook her head and shrugged off her cloak. The guard left and the sound of a lock turning echoed through the room.

  She shed her travel-stained clothing piece by piece on the way to the four-poster bed. After dragging her weary bones onto the soft mattress, she slipped under the covers and curled up on her side.

  I don’t know you.

  I am not your family.

  Don’t blame Davion.

  A tear tracked down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. She’d dreamed of Davi’s return. She’d begged and pleaded to have him back, to be able to look into his eyes once more.

  But not like this.

  He was the son of their enemy, but not even that would matter if he looked at her like he used to.

  That Davi was gone. It seemed a stranger now walked around in Davi’s body.

  Her tears fell too quickly to continue wiping them away, and she sniffled. Since Davi died, none of it had felt real. She hadn’t cried because that would be admitting he was truly gone.

  Her body shook.

  Her Davi was truly dead.

  Tears dampened her pillow.

  “Dav,” she whispered, his name shaking on her lips. “What did they do to you?”

  Chapter 21

  It wasn’t a prison cell. That was the first thought to enter Trystan’s mind when he woke. They’d been in Dreach-Dhoun for three days but hadn’t been taken to the dungeons. Instead, the room he’d been put in surrounded him in luxury.

  It was so unexpected, he didn’t know what to think.

  As his mind cleared of sleep, he sat up, running a hand down his bare chest. The bruises from their capture at the border stretched down his side, sickly yellow streaks against his pale skin.

  Three days and there’d been no word from Calis. He hadn’t been allowed out of his room to see his sister, Alixa, or Avery.

  And Davi… what was he supposed to do with the knowledge his best friend, his brother, had been in Dreach-Dhoun the entire time they’d mourned him? But he wasn’t the boy he’d grown up with, was he?

  A breath shuddered as it passed his lips.

  This room might not look like a prison, but it was a cage all the same.

  He pushed silk sheets from his legs and stood as the door opened. A servant bustled in, balancing a tray on her hands. Every day was the same. They brought him ample amounts of food and drink, filled the bronze tub with warm water for his bath, and didn’t say a word.

  “You,” Trystan said.

  The servant startled but turned her back on him and set the tray on the table.

  “Why am I here?” Trystan asked. “Please, tell me something. What does Calis plan to do with us? Where is my sister? Or my other friends? I need information.”

  The serving girl’s shoulders stilled and Trystan stepped closer, feeling as if she wanted to speak. She gave a tiny shake of her head and spun on her heel to leave. Two men entered, carrying buckets of water. They didn’t look at Trystan as they filled the tub and then they too were gone. The lock groaned loudly as it shifted into place.

  Trystan sighed and sank into a chair in front of the tray to pick at the food. He’d barely eaten anything they’d left over the last few days. His stomach rumbled in approval as he choked down some bread. There were two pitchers. One of wine and one of water. Opting for the water, he lifted it to pour himself a drink and his eyes caught on a scrap of paper that was stuck to the condensation on the copper bottom.

  After pulling it free, he set the pitcher down. A scraping noise sounded at his door, almost as if his lock was moving again, but when he jerked his head up, no one entered.

  Focusing on the paper once again, he tried to make out the words. The ink had been smudged by water and he squinted his eyes.

  Turn right at the end of the hall and go through the door. I’ll be waiting.

  It wasn’t signed. Was this a trap? Could he afford to ignore it? The answer came instantly. He had to risk it. If this person could help them… His eyes flicked to the door. But he was locked in. Wasn’t he?

  Slowly, he got to his feet and crossed the room. Setting his hand on the lever, he pushed, and the door opened.

  Not stopping to question it, he stepped into the hall. His guard lay slumped against the wall. Trystan moved suddenly, but the guard’s eyes didn’t track him. They were vacant as if he slept with his eyes open.

  He glanced down the darkened hallway. Were Rissa and Alixa nearby? He couldn’t go banging on doors. Instead, he did as the note bade him.

  The door he found led to a garden, or what used to be a garden. Flashbacks of the palace in Dreach-Sciene hit him as he stepped outside. The gardens of his childhood home had always struggled to live. But this one looked as if it had been drained of any and all life. Twisted trees stood along the high walls, their bark cracking and crumbling. Dead grass crunched under Trystan’s bare feet. Flowers lay withered.

  “Sad, isn’t it?” A voice said.

  Trystan scanned the area until his eyes landed on Ramsey Kane’s small frame.

  “You,” he accused.

  “Me.” Ramsey nodded, straightening from where he crouched beside a gnarled bush.

  Trystan’s eyes darted around. He couldn’t trust the third Tri-Gard member who’d chosen loyalty to Calis over his own daughter—Trystan’s mother.

  He’d had days of
solitude to come to terms with his heritage and it still burned deep in his gut when he thought of Ramsey betraying Dreach-Sciene. Betraying magic.

  “Calis isn’t here, son. It’s just me.”

  “I’m not your son,” Trystan spat.

  Ramsey looked to the sky and rubbed a hand across his face. Was he… nervous? The great Tri-Gard member couldn’t look him in the eye.

  “You’re right,” he finally said. “You are my grandson.”

  Trystan stepped forward. “If you think that means you have any claim over me…”

  “Calm down, boy.”

  Trystan seethed. Ramsey might be ancient, but he looked no older than Trystan himself. He didn’t get to talk down to him.

  “We’re done here.” Trystan prepared to enter the palace once more. “I should have known better than to trust that note. You are nothing more than a sad man who forsook his sacred calling. Magic was yours to protect and instead, you drained it from Dreach-Sciene, forcing Briggs and Lonara to help you.”

  Ramsey froze for a moment before a booming laugh burst out of him. He held his stomach and laughed again. When he finally caught his breath, he fixed Trystan with a withering stare. “You have so much to learn, young king. Do you honestly think I could force Briggs and Lonara to do anything?”

  When Trystan didn’t respond, Ramsey shook his head. “Please, stay. We have much to talk about. Calis is out inspecting the army today so he won’t find us.”

  Trystan’s mind warred between curiosity of the man who shared his bloodline and hatred for the man who allied himself with Calis. His shoulders dropped, and he walked toward a bench before dropping onto it.

  Ramsey’s gaze swept over him. “You could have at least put on shoes… or a shirt.”

  Trystan glanced down at himself. He’d been in such a hurry to find some answers, he hadn’t stopped to dress. He was about to have his first ever conversation with his grandfather and he was half-naked with sleep-mussed hair.

  But he didn’t care. Not when so many questions swirled through his mind.

  “I can practically see your brain working.” Ramsey chuckled. “Ask me what you want to know. I’ll hold nothing back. I know what you think of me, but I’m not the evil man the stories make me out to be.”