<i>Lycannar </i>


    23


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    I pushed the door open softly and stood there, staring at the armour covered in cobwebs. Five long years untouched. Five years of bitter, aching silence.


    I had closed that room and vowed never to open it again but now I needed the des. If I rode to ckwater, territory of barbarians, I would need only my twin des.


    Armour is for pitched war; helmets are for bigger threats. Werewolves there are soft for me, too slow. Stealth and steel would win this night.


    I left the armoury and crossed into my bedchamber. Chantel waited in the doorway, silent and ready.


    “Get my horse ready,” I told him. “I’ll take my des and ride alone.”


    He nodded and moved to obey. I reached for the potion and hesitated. If I wanted to be lethal, I should not dull my beasts.


    I swallowed the potion anyway, a precaution against the rage that could break loose if I lost control. The truth of theing night pressed at me like a de.


    If Zephyrine ever learned what I had done… that I, Lycannar Apex Blood, might be the one who killed her father… she would never forgive me. How could I exin a thing I did not remember? How could I make her understand I had not known?


    “It’s ready.” Chantel’s voice pulled me back. I stood quite still, thinking of oues.


    If Varyn returned, he would tell Zephyrine everything. If he did not… then perhaps she would


    never know.


    Hades was the only other witness and he would not speak unless he chose to. A dark thought crept into my mind and I crushed it instantly. If saving Varyn’s life will cost me too much then so be it.


    Jealousy is a foul thing; I discarded the idea like a burned coin.


    I pulled on my fur cloak, strapped the forearm braces, tied my long ck hair into a tight knot, and left without a word.


    In the dining hall my siblings waited; seeing me prepared, they knew my mind had already been made up.


    <b>15:44 </b>Mon<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>15 </b>


    23


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    “Baby brother.” Serena wasted no time; she rushed into my arms. I let her linger, letting her hands smooth my hair. When she pulled back, worry still shadowed her face.


    “It’s only for tonight,” I said quietly. “I’ll be back at Ash Pack by morning or afternoon, and home again before nightfall.” She nodded but did not leave my side.


    Mearez spoke atst, voice low and threaded with concern.


    “You should go. She will be waiting.”


    Silence settled like a stone. I broke it by kissing Serena on the lips, then told them.


    “Mearez will ride with me to White Pack. From there she’lle to Ash Pack with Zephyrine’s friend. Varyn will need a healer when we bring him back.”


    “That’s true,” Serena whispered. Mearez rose and left to prepare; Serena followed.


    I was left with Hades. He sat with his eyes on the table as though he were reading a map only he could see. Finally he turned to me.


    “If only I hadn’t been defeated on the field,” he said softly. “If I hadn’t needed reinforcements, you wouldn’t have been sent.”


    Guilt sharpened in my chest like winter.


    “If you start ming yourself, I won’t speak to you,” I said. The vow was quiet but he knows I can keep it. He gave a small, sad smile.


    “Then I’ll man up. I will not find fault. I will stand with you, whateveres.” He reached and took my forearm, his grip steady. The demonic aura around us hummed. A thing we both knew and feared. I closed the distance and hugged him.


    “I look up to you, Hades,” I said. “Always.”


    He pulled back, shook my shoulder once, hard. <fne6f4> For original chapters go to find(?)ovel</fne6f4>


    “Bring her back safe. If the truth breaks her, then you fix it. If my help is needed I will be here.”


    “What if she won’t have me?” The question shivered out of me before I could swallow it.


    Hades watched me, expression unreadable, then shrugged as if it were the simplest thing.


    “Why would she? You stood by her when the whole Empire turned its back. You made love to her. She is bright and clever. Who in their right mind will leave a king who stood when everyone else turned?”


    O


    <b>2/3 </b>


    15:44 Mon, Sep <b>15 </b>


    23


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    A shadow crossed the room, and for a brutal second my smile faltered. Hades saw it. He waited, patient as a tide.


    “I’ll chain her if I have to,” I said, voice low, half–joke and half–threat. “Enchant her with the darkest spell in my tower until she loves me back.”


    Hades‘ answer was immediate, absurdly wholehearted.


    “Great idea. Brilliant, little brother.”