The Traitor by A. Lombardo (novels for beginners txt) 📗

tried to find out who hired the man willing to kill a king, but let’s just say I pressed the wrong people without proper support. But at least I know where to look now.”

She rubbed her neck, her eyes lost in a memory. The fading yellow bruises formed a large handprint around her throat. Kai contemplated her suffering. He knew firsthand at least one fight she had fought to defend herself, and he could not imagine everything she went through to get home with this blade and her story.

It started to sink in that he needed time to think. First, Rayna was not safe in Diu. He needed to take her home before he dealt with what was coming. His vision was coming—the death of his father at Kai’s own hands—but he still did not know how to change how his destiny intersected with his father’s.

Kai stood up. “I must leave. I will take Rayna back to Katori. She will be safe there, and Riome can get a message to me through her mother’s network. Yulia and Kendra are searching for a healer to help you recover. I would bring Rayna to you, but I am not sure I can risk her getting caught inside the tower. Nola’s spies are everywhere.”

“Agreed.” Cazier leaned forward. “I will consult my other spies to discover what I can about this hired assassin and see if my network can get inside Milnos. You need to leave at first light. I want you safe away from any other would-be killers, until I can trace this conspiracy to Nola or Maxwell. Do you need a ship?”

“I do not.” He paused to think. Now was no time to sleep. “I will leave now.” Kai stood and went to the door. “I will be back. Before my father dies.”

“Is that wise? To come back, I mean.” Cazier glanced at Riome for confirmation.

Kai turned to face his friends. His family. “Do you trust me?”

“What kind of question is that?” Riome scoffed. “Of course we trust you.”

“Remember that. Remember the man you believe me to be right here and now. Please do not doubt my loyalty. Many people doubt me, but I could not bear to lose either of you. I may need my friends more than ever in the coming days.”

Cazier rose from his chair. “Kai. You’re speaking nonsense.”

Riome’s expression, however, remained calm. “I do not understand, but we will be ever faithful to you. Despite what we hear.”

Confused, Cazier looked back and forth. He threw his hands up. “Clearly, you know something I do not and refuse to share. I will do what I can.” He took Kai's arm. “Take care of yourself.”

“You too, cousin. Take care of Riome. She needs you now.”

“I am right here, and I am no cripple. I could still beat you both,” she mocked.

“Take care, little sister.” Kai knelt next to her and kissed her on the forehead.

Before he could escape, Riome pulled him close. Her eyes locked on his, and she placed her hand to his ear. A ticking sound filled his mind. The metal pocket watch felt cool against his skin. Riome’s stare locked him in place.

“Listen to the sound of my voice, my dear.” The lilt in her voice had changed.

Kai tried to pull away, but she held him in place. “Remember what I told you that night. I asked you to listen and bend your will to mine.” Nola’s voice echoed in his head.

Visions of Nola flickered through his mind. Their foreheads were nearly close enough to touch. The tick, tick, tick of the watch set a rhythmic spell where only her voice mattered. Thoughts of Nola washed over him as her voice twisted his memory. Brown eyes, green eyes. Riome’s face, Nola’s face. The two faces blurred behind the voice and the constant ticking trapped his mind with a hypnotic rhythm.

“See the light dance in my eyes; I lead you by the hand.

Unravel the string to break the ties; there is power in a grain of sand.

Time does not wait for thee; remember, I am not your kind.

Before the hands of time stop, unlock the key to free your mind.”

Locked on her eyes, Kai listened. His eyes played tricks on him as Riome’s face became Nola’s and back again. The words in the rhyme and the tempo of the tick-tock transfixed his mind as she repeated it once more. The constant tick-tock of her watch lulled him into a deep haze of nothingness.

“Close your eyes, Kai.” Nola’s voice echoed in Kai’s head. “Hear only my voice. Nothing else matters; I am your queen. Discover the seed I planted. Open the lock within your mind. Remember my truth.”

Each breath was slow and easy. Riome’s words dug deep into his mind. He recalled his time with Nola. The taste of wine on his lips, the taste of her. Her words locked him in a promise. “I am yours to command, my queen. I promise to serve you with my dying breath.”

“Do you remember the task I bid you perform?” Riome asked with Nola’s voice.

Nola’s request rang in his head. He fought to form the words. “You want me to free us; you want me to kill the king.”

“Excellent, my dear. Who is Iver to you? Is he your father?” she asked lightly.

“Iver is my father,” Kai responded.

“Yes, my dear. Remember my commands. You must obey your queen. When next we meet, I will free you from my commands, but you must heed my words. Tell me your name.”

“I am Kai Galloway.”

“Search your soul, and you can choose,” Riome added.

Riome continued to plant new seeds. “Hold on this truth—truth has power. I need you to save Iver. I am your queen, and I order you to obey. Focus on the idea within your mind. Remember your own