Page 114 of The Prince's Fealty

Afterwards, Tor and Varex escorted Ada away, and Solil took Hena and Par. When Stronex lingered, Pel went to stand beside him.

They were going to have to do this in Tond for Pel’s father, and Pel wasn’t looking forward to it. But this was still Stronex’s son, and Ada’s family understandably couldn’t do this right now. Pel could try.

“My father was kind of awful,” Pel offered after several long minutes of silence. “It turns out he was conspiring against the United Realms. He believed that more magic meant more power and more power was the most important thing. He stopped caring for me after I Manifested as Unremarkable.”

Stronex shifted at his side. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Pel sighed. “He used to protect me from nightmares when I was little. He promised that nothing could get me because he’d shield me. I remember as a child seeing him and my mom dancing and laughing in the ballroom one night, when no one else was there. There was no music, and I didn’t understand why they were dancing. But I get it now. They used to read stories to us. And I remember him displaying a shield for the guards, so they could practice their attacks. I was so proud to have a father who was so strong.”

Echoes of childhood laughter still lurked in the corners of Pel’s mind. They couldn’t erase what came after, but they hadn’t been completely obliterated by it, either.

Stronex was quiet for a long moment, and then he exhaled slowly. “He was a very curious child. He was patient with his little brother when they were growing up together.I don’t know when it went wrong, but there were days where I could barely see that little boy. I knew he was unhappy, but I didn’t know how to fix it.”

“He made his own choices,” Pel said, though he suspected that didn’t help.

You always wanted the people you cared about to make the right choices, and it hurt when they didn’t. Maybe you could have intervened and helped change everything… or maybe this had been inevitable. They would never know.

Stronex looked at Pel. “That’s all each of us can do. I’m glad you and Torex found one another.”

Pel couldn’t help but smile. “Me, too.”

“I’d like a few minutes alone, if you don’t mind.”

Pel nodded, then reached out and squeezed the man’s arm. “Take care of yourself.”

There were so many different repercussions from everything that had happened. Families had lost loved ones they were never going to get back. All they could try to do now was stay on a new path that reduced the chance of this ever happening again. Pel was sure they were all in agreement about that.

Solil set out for Filon at last, and Bav began to mention that he should probably head back to Tond soon. He kept glancing at Pel, who’d really like to declare what they were doing, onlyhe had no idea.

He didn’t want to rush anyone, but he really did want to get this resolved. He wondered if he was going to have to nudge Tor to nudge Varex, but then finally, one morning at the end of breakfast, Varex appeared at their elbow.

“What did you want to talk about?”

Thank you, goddess.

Tor stiffened visibly and then tried to relax. Pel squeezed his hand. Tor stood up too fast, making his chair scrape along the stone floor and drawing all eyes.

He cleared his throat. “This would definitely be better discussed in private.”

Varex was frowning faintly, but he nodded.

They headed for the door, and then Ada was suddenly at their side.

“Is this a family discussion?” she wanted to know.

Tor looked at him and then back at Ada, finally saying, “It’s something that I need to tell Var. Uh, it sort of involves you, or rather me, and whether I’ll get to keep seeing you, so—”

“I’m coming,” Ada said firmly.

“Why wouldn’t you be able to—?” Varex asked, confused.

Now Fernila had joined them. “What are you talking about?”

Varex made a face. “I have no idea. Tor seems to think that he might not get to see Ada any more, which is ridiculous.”

They all looked at Tor, who now looked really awkward.

“We’re definitely not doing this in the corridor. I, um, was sort of imagining it would just be me talking to Var, but it kind of impacts all of us, so if you want to come, you can.” Under his breath, he muttered, “Probably better if I just say it once, anyway.” He raised his voice again. “Come on, we’ll find a sitting room.”