From Darkness Won Part 33

And that was all Averella could remember.

She shook her head. Missing his company was not love. She pitied him for what Lord Nathak had done and for the horrible life he'd been forced to live. But pity and compa.s.sion were not love. Not romantic love, anyway.

Averella's ears itched. She now knew this was a sign that someone was about to message with their bloodvoice.

Achan Cham.

Oh dear. Averella had hoped a few days might pa.s.s before he spoke to her again. If only she remembered more.

Yes, Your Highness?

Sparrow! How do you fare? Has your memory returned? I have been praying that Arman would restore it.

I am well, thank you. I have remembered only a small flash.

That's a good sign, then, don't you think? If you've remembered some, surely you'll remember more.

Perhaps, though I do not expect it to happen soon. I have nearly a year's-worth of memories to restore.

They'll come. Have you decided what to do? Shall I send someone for you?

We are going to Mahanaim to free Master Rennan, Sir Rigil, and Sir Jax. We travel south along the King's Road.

Mahanaim! It's not safe. Esek's soldiers patrol all of the King's Road. Allow me to send men to escort you here.

Do not worry, Your Highness. Master Poe and Master Fox are with us. We travel under the guise of a merchant and his wife and their two servants fleeing Darkness.

Silence stretched on for a long moment before the prince said, Who is married to whom?

I am posing as Master Poe's wife. Gren is- Why him?

Master Poe is much more confident to pose as a merchant. And I am the logical choice over Gren.

I don't like this, Sparrow. It sounds dangerous and involves Harnu. I should come for you myself.

Gren told me of your unpleasant history with Master Poe. I am sorry for that. But I a.s.sure you, Master Poe is no longer a brute. And without him we would surely- Fine, Sparrow. Just take care. I'll feel better once you are in camp with me again.

Averella winced. Your Highness, forgive me if I sound presumptive, but I must make myself clear. I have gleaned much from those around me about what transpired between us. I understand we did not part on good terms.

That was my fault. I- Please allow me to finish. Without my memories of our time together, I think it would be best, for now, if we officially parted ways. You have plenty to concern yourself with, upcoming war and all. And I am responsible for Gren. Perhaps later, should my memory return, we might discuss how to proceed. I do not wish to be cruel, but my reputation has already been tainted due to my falsehoods. For that I apologize. Let us have no more communication for now. We shall each do our duty to Arman and Er'Rets. And later, should Arman will it, we can speak again. What say you?

What say I? Sparrow, I cannot stomach your formal tirades. And now you no longer wish to communicate? Am I really that horrible of a conversationalist?

Of course not, Your Highness. Bother. He had taken her words more harshly than she had meant them. But in light of our past... it would be wise to tread carefully. I cannot pretend to care for you when I do not recall ever doing so, especially since you do not know who I really am. And I do not wish to mislead you in hoping my feelings may rekindle. For at the moment, I have no feelings for you at all.

I see. Very well, then, Miss Sparrow. Forgive me for trying to save your life. From now on, you are on your own.

Your Highness, please do not be cross. I am simply trying to exp- But Prince Gidon had closed the connection.

Averella did not know why, but his silence brought tears to her eyes.

17.

Arman, help Sparrow remember everything. Now.

Achan should be paying attention to Sir Gavin explain the plan to seize the eastern Reshon Gate, but Sparrow's rejection still throbbed like a hornet's sting.

He sat at the table in the meeting tent with the generals and his advisors. They had stopped on a coastal prairie just west of the Lebab Inlet. The smell of the sea reminded him of home. Sitna, anyway. And it felt good to be in Light again, no matter what his mood.

How foolish to dwell on Sparrow. If she had forgotten their entire friendship, perhaps that was best. Full recollection would only remind her why she had rejected him the first time, and she'd probably feel the need to reject him again. He didn't think he could take that a second time.

Do what you must, Arman. Still, I pray for what I want. And I want Sparrow to remember.

"I need to scout out the gate, see if Esek has men there and how many," Sir Gavin said. "Inko, Sir Eagan, and Captain Demry will accompany me."

"And me?" Achan asked.

"You remain here," Sir Gavin said. "I'll message you if there's something you need to see."

Figured. The moment Achan needed to keep his mind busy, he had nothing to do. "Why ride to the gate, Sir Gavin? Scouting the location through the Veil would save time."

"It's no longer safe for this old man to enter the Veil," Sir Gavin said. "Shamayim's pull is too great for my bloodvoice to resist. I could send Sir Eagan, but I'm the general of this army and must see for myself what we're up against."

The meeting ended and the men filed outdoors. Only Achan and Sir Eagan remained at the table. Achan had no intention of moving. There was no place to go, anyway, but to be mobbed by soldiers wishing to greet him.

"Your Highness, may I speak with you a moment?"

Achan regarded Sir Eagan's pale face. "Of course."

Sir Eagan cleared his throat. "There is a situation with your betrothal to Lady Averella Amal."

An invisible wave rushed into Achan's stomach and tossed it around. "Oh?"

"d.u.c.h.ess Amal messaged me. She felt the matter could not wait for a messenger who might be intercepted." Sir Eagan shifted in his chair. Achan had never seen him so uncomfortable. "First and foremost, a confession. Lady Averella was unaware until recently that I am her father."

The room seemed suddenly ten times smaller. Achan choked on a breath, yet felt a strange, thrilling calm. Before he could speak, Sir Eagan continued.

"I never expected to leave Ice Island, so I figured she was better off not knowing. But when I returned to Carmine and saw Lady Nitsa, well, things changed. Lady Averella has now learned the truth."

Sir Eagan pounded his fist into his palm. "She was understandably shocked and angry. But she has taken it further. As a result of this news, she has renounced her inheritance and her claim to Carm. Which brings me to the part that concerns you, Your Highness."

Achan already understood. If Lady Averella had renounced her inheritance... "It's d.u.c.h.ess Amal's business to appoint her heir. The details of Lady Averella's birth don't matter to me. You must know that."

"That is very generous, Your Highness, but only part of the problem. Lady Averella... well... she refuses to marry you."

Achan could only stare, numb.

"Naturally, d.u.c.h.ess Amal is extremely apologetic. On one hand, this means I might, someday, claim my daughter publicly. On the other hand..."

"The d.u.c.h.ess can no longer fulfill her side of our bargain."

"Correct. To compensate for this mishap, she offers you Lady Gypsum, who is now heir to Carm Duchy."

"Lady Gypsum?" That little girl?

"Yes. But the d.u.c.h.ess wishes you to know that she in no way expects you to accept this offer. She makes the offer freely, with Lady Gyspum's consent, but understands if you would like to make other plans."

"Me?" Achan could hardly dare think it.

"Should you decide to choose your own bride, you still have Carm Duchy's full support in your campaign."

"I see." Achan sat very still, though inside he danced.

"Forgive me for deceiving you, Your Highness. All Er'Rets believed Lady Averella to be Duke Amal's daughter. It was not my place to speak until Nitsa chose to." Sir Eagan blew out a long breath. "Now you know why I said I would not change my past. Nitsa and I suffered great consequences for our choices. Yet a lovely young woman breathes because of it. Only Arman can reverse such sorrow. My one regret now is how Lady Averella's anger may affect you."

"Oh." Achan tried to sound sorry to be set free. "Don't burden yourself, Sir Eagan. And please inform d.u.c.h.ess Amal that I am not angry, or saddened, even. I never met Lady Averella, so I feel no great loss toward her."

Sir Eagan lowered his gaze to the table. "You are very kind, Your Highness."

"What will Sir Caleb say about all this? Will he insist I marry Lady Gypsum?"

"I have already spoken to him and the others."

Achan could read nothing from Sir Eagan's impa.s.sive expression. "Please, Sir Eagan, what did they say?"

Sir Eagan chuckled. "The point of your betrothal to Lady Averella was to secure an army. You have that army. We think it wise that you continue to wear Lady Averella's sleeve until the throne is won. But we leave the choice of your bride up to you. No matter her station. You need only message d.u.c.h.ess Amal to officially break the betrothal. After that, you are free. We only ask that you wait until after the war to take your bride. Is that acceptable to you, Your Highness?"

Achan wanted to laugh. "Indeed. Very acceptable."

Sir Eagan smiled, his round cheeks balled up. "I suspected as much."

When Achan exited the meeting tent, the waves surging inside his gut threatened to knock him down. Sir Eagan must have been manipulating his emotions to keep him calm. Achan hadn't even realized the situation had upset him until now.

He was free. Truly free.

So why should he care about Lady Averella? A sting to his ego, perhaps? To be rejected... again. Aw, who cared? He needed to tell Sparrow! He almost barged right in to her mind to tell her the news until he remembered their last conversation. Best wait a bit.

Movement behind him caused him to turn. Cortland and Achan's dark-skinned cousin followed close behind. Achan searched his memory but forgot his cousin's name. Shung must be off duty. Perhaps Lady Gali was as well?

Achan nodded to the men and started for his tent, stopping to return greetings to a few dozen soldiers along the way. The sun had nearly set. Seagulls circled overhead, dipping down to swipe food, no doubt. Achan was surprised Matthias hadn't brought his dinner to the meeting.

He found the boy waiting inside Achan's tent. "Are you hungry, sir?"

"Very." Achan unlaced his doublet while Matthias laid out his meal at the table.

Achan shrugged out of his doublet and tossed it on the bed. He untucked the waist of his tunic and shook it out, letting a cool draft of night air up his shirt. Much better.

While Matthias filled a plate, Achan sat on the edge of his bed to remove his boots. But when he leaned over, his necklace swung into his view, which brought Sparrow to mind again. Though he knew better, he sent her a knock.

Yes, Your Highness? Her cold tone did not bode well.

He suddenly felt like a fool, but pressed on, giddy with his newfound freedom. I thought you should know I'm no longer betrothed to Lady Averella.

Is that so? Her voice somehow grew colder.

Achan sent his next words with a bit of sarcasm, the way he and Sparrow used to joke. Turns out she's not actually Duke Amal's daughter. What do you think of that?

Shocking.

It is, isn't it? When no answer came, he said, What's wrong, Sparrow?

Why are you telling me this?

I thought that... well... I just thought- That it would change things between us? Your Highness, to my mind, you are nothing more than a man I met in the Veil. I tried to make it clear that- I only wanted to say that now we can- -I cannot continue in this manner. I do not wish to be cruel, but if you insist on messaging me for intimate conversations, I will be forced to ignore you entirely.

A stone grew in the place where Achan's heart had recently stopped bleeding. Very well, Miss Sparrow. Good evening. Achan broke the connection.

Matthias stood beside the table, a dinner of fish and potatoes laid out. "It's ready, sir."

Achan was no longer hungry. Shung, where are you?

A long moment pa.s.sed before Shung answered. Visiting Lady Gali at the bonfire. Should Shung return?

Pig snout. No, Shung. I just wondered where you were, that's all. I'll see you later. Have fun.

Achan's stomach clenched, jealous of Shung's joy. Why did things happen this way? If only the knights had given him leave to choose his own bride before Mitspah.

Everything had started going badly in Mitspah.

Achan stood, walked to the table, glared at his meal. Perhaps if he wandered by the bonfire he could strike up a conversation with Shung and Lady Gali.

"I'll be back in a moment, Matthias." Achan strode from the tent. Cortland and Achan's cousin jogged to keep up. Achan ignored the occasional well-wishing soldier, each step increasing his anger. Typical of Sparrow to hide from the unknown. Finally, here was his chance to mend things-to make promises she thought he could never make-and she believed him a stranger.

The bonfire raged in a clearing inside the wagon circle. He spotted Shung and Lady Gali right away, dancing merrily, black braids whipping the air, oblivious to everything around them.

Soldiers stood in cl.u.s.ters, most holding mugs of mead. Achan narrowed his gaze to a wagon on the other side of the bonfire where Kurtz sat with a group of women. Cole sat crosslegged on the ground, his boyish freckled face gazing at Kurtz as if the man were Moul Rog the Great.

Achan crossed to the wagon and gripped Kurtz by the shoulder. "Did not Sir Gavin give orders against spirits while we are engaged in war?"

"Oh, h.e.l.lo, Pacey. How are you this fine evening, eh?"

Achan glanced at Cole, then to his guards, and back to Kurtz. "Do not change the subject. Spirits? Sir Gavin? War?"