From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [105]
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?”
“Duchess 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 Duchess 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, Duchess Amal is extremely apologetic. On one hand, this means I might, someday, claim my daughter publicly. On the other hand…”
“The duchess 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 duchess 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