Page 118 of The Prince's Fealty

“I didn’t know we could do that,” Tor said, voice grim. “I don’t think we have the right to blame anyone for being unwilling to submit to that.”

It was bad enough when people pulled too much of their own magic and died, but the idea that a ruler could kill their own citizens? It was antithetical to the purpose of a ruler.

“They chose to have no ruler and no place in the United Realms,” Varex argued.

“They chose to protect themselves before they understood the cost of having no ruler,” Tor countered.

“Until they chose you.”

“Until they chose me,” Tor agreed.

“You’re a citizen of the United Realms,” Varex reminded him.

“They are aware my Fealty is to you. And also aware that my rule may be only so long as it takes me to explain this to you. They have chosen to accept that risk.”

Var continued to stare at his brother. “And you will accept any pronouncement that I make on the matter?”

Tor nodded, then amended, “Well, I’ll try to talk sense into you. And I’ll do everything in my power to protect Pel. But yes.”

They continued to stare at one another, and Pel had to stifle the urge to scream.

“He won’t—” Ada began at the same time that Fernila said, “I’m sure—”

Varex and Tor’s gazes were still locked.

And then, suddenly, Varex’s lips tipped up.

“This was all I ever wanted for you, you know. I knew you needed to be responsible forsomething. I didn’t realize that I needed to let you find it for yourself.”

There was another moment of silence, as though they all needed to run this through their minds to make sure that there wasn’t any hidden condemnation in there somewhere, and then all of the tension went out of Tor.

Pel realized that he was clutching the man’s hand hard enough that he was probably at risk of breaking it, and he reluctantly let go. Varex came over to hug Tor, who clung to him.

“You’re my brother, and I love you,” Varex said, voice thick. “I accused you of treason when you hadn’t committed it, and you committed treason when it was the only way to protect your family and innocent people. We’ll call it even. Sometimes, I need help listening, but I swear I’m trying to do better. We’ll have to talk more about a long-term plan. Do they want to be part of the United Realms?”

“I have no idea,” Tor said, voice scratchy, like he was trying not to cry.

Pel felt the same way. He cleared his throat roughly.

“My brother is willing to provide them with food and supplies in the short term until they’re more self-sufficient. We’re not certain the problem with the land and the weather is the missing Fealty, though we’re hopeful.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Varex said, sounding confident. “If itisthe Fealty, then your plan will fix it. If it’s not, then there should be no reason why they can’t live elsewhere.”

Tor admitted, “I told them that they didn’t have to pledge their Fealty to me, that if they wanted to, they could just live amongst everyone else who had.”

Varex laughed. “Of course you did. Like I said, we’ll figure it out. Is that it? Is that the last big secret that you needed to share with me?”

Pel and Tor exchanged looks, and Varex’s eyebrows rose.

“I’m beginning to think that I should never let you out of my sight.”

“I’d go out the window,” Tor said promptly.

Varex shook his head, but he was smiling again. “I have no doubt you would. All right, what else is there?”

Tor grabbed Pel’s hand. “This one’s good news, but it might come as a bit of a shock. It definitely came as a shock to us.” He cleared his throat. “You remember how I said that I came up with the best time ever to Blend? And how it had results I hadn’t anticipated?”

Varex was nodding, still looking confused.