Free Web NovelChapter 392: Chapter 392
She spoke again before he could respond.
"You were gone for a week. There was never any doubt that you would return to responsibilities waiting for you," she said calmly. "If your presence is truly required in the capital, then you should go."
She gestured faintly toward the estate grounds where several guards were already preparing to ride out again. "While you are gone, I will join your men in searching for my brother." Her voice was steady, but her eyes still looked haunted.
Ragnar opened his mouth to protest. He wanted to pull her into his arms again, to assure her that he would not leave, not when Rowen was still out there somewhere. Not when she needed him most.
But before he could say any of it, Circe had already turned away. She strode across the courtyard toward the stables with determined steps, clearly intent on retrieving her horse so she could join the search herself.
Ragnar watched her go. He could have stopped her. But what good would it do?
Circe had never been the type to sit idly by while someone she loved was in danger.
Turning back to the messenger, who still waited anxiously for his answer, Ragnar exhaled slowly.
"Very well," he said at last. "Tell him that I will be there."
The messenger bowed again before quickly mounting his horse and riding off.
Ragnar remained standing in the courtyard for several moments after the rider disappeared down the road. If he intended to reach the capital in time for court tomorrow, preparations for the journey would need to begin immediately.
He had just begun turning toward the manor when the sound of hooves approaching made him pause. Circe rode up and brought her horse to a stop directly in front of him.
"I will return here again at dusk if that would set you at ease while you’re away." she said as her horse snorted impatiently. ƒrēewebnovel.com
"It would," he replied. "Find Casilo when you are out there and stay close to him. I would be far more relieved knowing you will not be alone."
He pondered his situation for a while afterward, turning the matter over and over in his mind until the moment finally came for him to depart for the capital. As the time approached, he tried his best to temper his expectations and keep them as minimal as possible. Of course, he wanted justice for Luria’s murder more than anything, but allowing himself to cling to false hope would only make the inevitable disappointment far more difficult to bear.
***
Falein Tomar strode through the lavish interior of the palace as he made his way to the throne room. Tall arched windows lined the corridor, allowing pale daylight to spill across the golden embellishments that decorated the walls. After several moments, Falein suddenly turned his head to glance back at his son, Arik, who had been trailing a few paces behind him in silence.
"I do not know what it is you are planning," Falein said sternly, his voice low but edged with warning, "but I beg you to behave yourself while we are here."
He knew his son well, perhaps better than anyone. Arik’s temper had always been quick to flare, and he had never been one to hold his tongue when anger seized him. Falein knew exactly the sort of reckless things Arik was capable of when emotions overtook reason, which was precisely why the warning felt necessary.
The king had summoned the courtiers for a gathering to address the terrible tragedy that had taken place at Lord Rycoff’s home, a brutal incident that had claimed the lives of several prominent nobles. When the royal summons had arrived a few days earlier, Arik had surprised his father by insisting that he accompany him to the palace.
The request alone had been shocking.
Although Arik still maintained his presence in high society, he had always refused to set foot inside the palace again after what had happened to his sister there years ago. Which was exactly why his sudden desire to attend this gathering raised Falein’s suspicions.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Arik replied coolly, even as his father continued to watch him with an intense, scrutinizing gaze, as though he might somehow extract the truth simply by staring long enough.
"I sincerely hope that I am mistaken," Falein muttered darkly.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and resumed walking in the direction of the throne room. His long strides devoured the distance quickly, forcing Arik to follow closely behind if he wished to keep pace.
"I do not understand how you can stand to be around them after what they did to Luria," Arik said suddenly, his voice low but laced with bitterness. They had just reached the massive doors of the throne room.
Falein’s head snapped back toward his son so abruptly that it was a wonder he did not wrench his neck in the process. His sharp eyes darted around their surroundings, ensuring that no one lingered close enough to overhear. Once he was certain they were alone, he turned back to Arik and fixed him with a harsh glare.
"Hush, boy," he hissed under his breath. "You know better than to speak of such things here. I taught you better than that."
But Arik had grown sick and tired of his father’s endless warnings— that seemed to do nothing but shield the very people responsible for Luria’s death.
Out of all of Falein’s children, Arik and Luria had shared the strongest bond. They had been inseparable as children, allies in every childish mischief and confidants in every secret. Arik had loved her deeply.
Her death had shattered him. Even now, after eleven long years, the wound had never truly healed.
"You call it caution but your cowardice is the reason that after eleven years, Luria still has not received the justice she deserves." Arik said. "Your unwillingness to act is why her killers continue to walk this kingdom without fear."
Before Falein could respond, Arik brushed past him with a sharp shove of his shoulder and pushed open the doors to the throne room.
