Page 105 of Sword & Sacrifice

Silas immediately wiped the wet ink away. He didn’t want Archer to be stuck in Bellacosta, where people treated him like a villain and a tyrant; where the nobility scrambled to steal every piece of power for themselves; where every little task or challenge pulled them apart.

Dear Archer,

I wish we were together. More than anything, I want to be by your side. I feel strongest when I’m with you.

So much has happened since you left. Emmaline arrived safely in Litus yesterday, bringing her own news of her father’s alliance with Varro. No matter what troubles come to our shores, I’ll make sure she’s protected here.

And someone else arrived with Emmaline. My father has finally returned to Bellacosta, and I’m not sure how to feel. I understand why he left—that if he hadn’t, Alistair would have killed him, and we’d have no opportunity for this reunion. But he didn’t simply leave to protect himself—he left to protect his other son.

I’ve known my little brother for less than an hour and I am already embarrassingly jealous of him. He grew up safe, protected, with a father who loved him enough to sacrifice his life in Bellacosta. Though what was he really sacrificing? A loveless marriage. A title with no power. Clearly Gessa and I were not enough for him to stay.

More tears splashed onto the parchment, but Silas barely noticed, writing right through them.

Did I want him to stay, even if it probably would have meant his death?

I’m ashamed to admit I don’t know.

And I feel the same way with you gone. Did I want you to stay, even knowing it could mean the destruction of your kingdom?

Selfishly, yes.

And even more selfishly, no. Because I would have rather left with you than stayed here.

He took a deep breath, letting the truth settle firmly into his chest.

Regardless of what we both want, our decisions are made. I will protect my home, and you will protect yours. Maybe one day we will call the same place ‘home’ and protect it together.

While your heart is with me, mine is with you. Keep my heart safe until we see each other again,

Silas

He carefully peeled off the magical wax, just as he’d done with Alistair’s letters, and used it to seal his own letter. Long moments passed as he waited for the magic to work.

Nothing happened.

The letter remained inert, and Silas remained alone.

A knock on the door startled him out of his melancholy. He hastily wiped the tears from his face before calling, “Come in—”

Emmaline burst into the room, Echo on her heels. “We’ve been looking all over for you!”

“You were supposed to meet the captain an hour ago,” Echo scolded, wagging a finger in Silas’ face like a displeased tutor. “We’ve got plans to make, defenses to raise, bullies to scare off. And we had to leave your dear general with my dear captain and I’m pretty sure if someone doesn’t intervene, one of the deer will turn into a wolf.”

Even though it meant more work for him, a small smile played around Silas’ lips. “I received a letter from your mother,” he replied, handing Adelaide’s letter to Em. He kept Archer’s letter for himself, tucking it into his jacket’s interior pocket so it could rest against his heart.

Emmaline’s eyes watered as she clutched her mother’s letter to her chest. “She’s all right! Oh, thank you, Silas! Thank you!” She leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, then whirled out of the room again, knocking her shoulder into the door as she tried to walk and read at the same time.

When they arrived at the Merchant’s Guild Headquarters, the whole office was already filled: Adviser Cal and Mr. Tomlin, Darian and Griselda, Braden and Koen, Captain Moira and several members of her crew.

“There you are, Silas,” Griselda called, her voice booming through the small space. “Need your input on something.”

Although the one person he wanted most wasn’t there, seeing everyone gathered here together reminded Silas that he wasn’t alone after all.

He took a deep breath and strode toward the desk she’d commandeered. “Of course, General. What do you need?”

Chapter Forty-Three

Niall’s expression pinched as they entered the outskirts of Casselarn. “ This is the capital city of the mighty Arnsveld?”