Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) (20 page)

“I
need a bodyguard?” Kyrin didn’t like the sound of that.

She struggled to keep up with Lady Videlle on their way to meet with Sir Aric, Emperor Daican’s head of security, and not fall flat on her face, or worse, break an ankle. The woman didn’t seem to notice.

“Yes, of course. Now as part of Auréa’s staff, the emperor’s enemies are your enemies. Many believe that to harm one of His Majesty’s aides or advisors will harm him.”

Kyrin’s pulse quickened. She’d never worried about her safety with her brother around.

“Now, don’t fear,” Lady Videlle said as she slowed just a bit. “Emperor Daican’s security force is the finest in Arcacia.”

A lot of good those words did, coming from a relative stranger. She’d rather have Kaden to protect her.

The two of them entered the meeting room, and Kyrin’s gaze did a quick sweep. Comfortable seating filled the spacious area. Lady Videlle said the palace aides often used it for congregating at the end of the day, but never mind the furnishings. Kyrin’s attention focused on two men standing proudly in their palace uniforms. The first man, a bit older than the other, stood tall and dark with a stern jaw set. A distinct air of authority surrounded him. The younger man waited to the side, his much lighter features a contrast to those of his superior.

“Sir Aric,” Videlle said as she approached the black-haired man. “Thank you for meeting us here.”

“Not a problem.” His voice was deep and all business.

Lady Videlle turned to Kyrin. “Here she
is, Emperor Daican’s new observer, Kyrin Altair.”

Aric inclined his head politely. “My lady.”

“Sir Aric.” She studied his face. Though cool and collected, a spark of warmth in his gray-blue eyes hinted at a softer side.

He motioned to his right, and the younger man stepped forward. “This is Trev. He’s been part of the security force here at Auréa for three years now, and I’ve assigned him as your personal guard. He’ll be your escort whenever you have reason to leave the palace grounds.”

Kyrin eyed her new bodyguard. He reminded her somewhat of Collin in the way he held himself—confident, sure of his abilities—yet without possessing Collin’s arrogance. Just a quiet, reassuring confidence. Maybe he would be able to keep her safe. She managed a smile.

Trev met it
with his own. “My lady.”

His quiet tone surprised her, but it was genuine and encouraging.

“Trev will be at your disposal whenever you should need him,” Lady Videlle told her. “Just send word through Holly.”

Kyrin nodded her understanding, but getting to know her bodyguard would have to wait. With barely a word of parting, Lady Videlle whisked her off for what she called a “brief” tour of the palace—through winding, turning halls, numerous sitting rooms, libraries, various ball and meeting rooms, up flights of stairs, and back down again. Even Kyrin’s head spun at the sheer size and complexity of Auréa’s marble and gilded interior.

By the time they finished inside the palace and toured the grounds, a deep ache throbbed just above Kyrin’s eyes. She resisted the urge to rub her forehead since it would smudge her cosmetics.

“Well.” Lady Videlle finally paused and sounded a bit winded. “Now you’ve seen all you need to of Auréa. I trust you will be able to find your way around.”

“Yes, my lady,” Kyrin replied, though to try to recall it now only intensified her headache.

“Right, then, this way. Lunch
will soon be served. We don’t want to keep your guest waiting.”

And she was off again with that graceful but deceptively fast walk of hers. Thank Elôm that Kyrin had spent so much time wandering the city and at the training fields to have the stamina to keep up, though her heeled shoes fought her every step. If only Videlle would slow enough to allow her to question the identity of her mystery guest. She had no desire to meet anyone else. Between her headache and the new information spinning around in her head, she’d surely make a dreadful dining companion. In fact, the whole idea made her quite uneasy. Kaden was good with people, not her.

She took a couple of deep breaths to clear her mind of all unnecessary information. Dampness built up on her palms beneath her clenched fingers. How very unladylike. She grimaced and forced her hands open, willing them to dry before meeting her guest.

Lady Videlle stopped at the door to one of the parlors and opened it. Before Kyrin could do
anything more to prepare herself, the woman ushered her into the room. Her eyes locked on the man dressed in a captain’s uniform who rose from the couch. Strong, dark features, dusty blue eyes—Kyrin took in these details in a heartbeat, and all the tension that had wound her so tightly released. Tears rushed to her eyes and a smile broke across her face.

“Father!”

Without a moment’s concern for formality, she ran into his arms and ignored Lady Videlle’s disapproving sniff. Nothing at all could steal the joy of this reunion. Lady Videlle, the palace—it all disappeared as Kyrin soaked in the warmth of her father’s strong, yet gentle embrace. The tears fell, no doubt smudging her eye shadow and leaving dark streaks down her face, but forget her appearance, forget everything. She had her father. It had been so long.

They parted, and Kyrin stared into his smiling face—so kind and handsome, his eyes sparkling with both tears and happiness.

William Altair wiped his thumbs across her face. “It’s so good to see you.”

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Kyrin breathed.

Off to the side, Lady Videlle exclaimed, “Goodness, child, no need to carry on so. Look at your face. Oh, this will never do!”

Kyrin wanted to ignore the woman, but she came with a napkin from the table and forced Kyrin back a step. She fussed and dabbed at Kyrin’s face
like a mother would a young child. Giddiness bubbled up inside Kyrin, and she chuckled as she grinned at her father, further flustering Videlle. The woman shook her head and lamented over her ruined appearance.

“There’s no hope for it now. We will just have to redo it before you meet the emperor.” She stepped away, still shaking her head in dismay. “I will leave you now and inform the kitchen staff you are ready.”

Kyrin’s father smiled kindly at her. “Thank you, Lady Videlle.”

She gave a terse nod and cast one more exasperated glance at Kyrin on the way out.

Once the door had closed, Kyrin released a full laugh and hugged her father again. “I really can’t believe it. I knew you were in Valcré, but I never expected to see you here.”

“You can be sure I never would have left the city without making a point to see you and Kaden.” William held her at arm’s length and shook his head. “Look at you. How your mother would love to see you now.”

Kyrin’s smile wobbled at the lack of feeling that thoughts of her mother evoked. She should feel something, shouldn’t she? But her father’s presence cheered her again immediately.

“It’s been a long time,” she murmured.

“A very long time.”

“I’m just glad it’s you. I’m not sure how I would have handled someone else.”

With a sympathetic look, William asked, “How are you holding up?”

Tears pricked her eyes again. How could she adequately answer that question? But she refused to cry again.
She swallowed and spoke through a rough voice, “It’s been…overwhelming.”

“I can only imagine. I was shocked to receive the news.”

“You and me both. I never even considered that anything like this could happen.”

Her father motioned to the couch behind them, and they both sat. His eyes turned serious now, the way Kaden’s often did when they talked.

“How do you feel about this? It’s certainly an incredible honor…”

His voice trailed away as he studied her face. Kyrin glanced around the room to assure herself that they were the only two people present before her eyes returned to her father.

“Yes, to those who would wish for it, but…I have no desire to be here.” Her voice dropped lower. “Though I guess this is where King Elôm wants me.”

Her father’s eyes grew delightfully large, but just as he was about to speak, the door opened. Servants entered bearing trays of food for their lunch. Kyrin and William rose from the couch to take seats at a small table. No one spoke as the servants set out their plates and poured each a glass of red wine from a crystal decanter, but William did give them a kind thank-you as they departed. When the door closed again, Kyrin and her father sat in silence for several seconds after the sound of footsteps died away. Then the conversation resumed in earnest, their meal all but forgotten.

“How long have you known about Elôm?” William asked, his voice lowered, yet animated.

“A little over a year.”

“Who told you?”

“Sam did.”

“And Kaden? What about him?”

“Him too. We don’t disagree on much.”

William let go a long sigh. “I can’t tell you what good it does me to hear that. I’ve been wondering what I’d say or how I’d explain things to the two of you in the short time we have. I knew I had to say something since it’s so uncertain when we’ll see each other. But how did you know I believe?”

“Sam told us that too.”

“Good old Sam.”

Kyrin nodded vigorously. “He’s been such a good friend to Kaden and me, and so helpful when we struggle with things. Without him, we’d still be lost.”

“This brings me great comfort. For so long, I’ve wondered if I alone in our family would know the truth.”

“What about Mother and the rest of the boys? Have you spoken to them?”

Her father winced. “Your mother is not yet ready to listen. She’s fearful of what it could mean for us, and it upsets her if I say anything around Michael and Ronny.”

Kyrin’s forehead
wrinkled, and a small flame burned in her chest. Her father should be able to talk to her little brothers about something so important. No one should prevent him, and she was tempted to say so, but she held her tongue. Instead, her thoughts turned to her two older brothers. They were adults and could choose to listen on their own. “What about Marcus and Liam?”

“I’ve used the opportunities I’ve been given, but it’s a very delicate situation. I never know what I should say or what might be too much.” William paused, and the fine lines in his face deepened. “The trouble with Marcus is his devotion to his duty as a soldier. To believe in the King, he would have to realize that his loyalty and dedication to the emperor and his gods are for naught. I’m afraid it would take a miracle.”

Kyrin considered her eldest brother. During the years of their childhood together, he had always played the soldier. He’d dreamed of becoming a renowned general like their Grandfather Veshiron. And all these years he’d worked toward that goal, not knowing what such dedicated, almost worshipful, service to the emperor cost. Her father was right. Marcus’s loyalty and ideals would never sway easily, even if his soul stood at risk.

Kyrin pressed her fingers to the deep ache in her stomach. “Maybe Elôm will give us a miracle.”

A small smile lifted the corners of William’s mouth. “We will pray so.”

And Kyrin did, right there in the quietness of her heart. She and her family had lived such separate lives for the past years. She didn’t want the eternity that followed this life to be the same. These days it was her only hope they would ever be together again.

“So what about Liam?”

Her father’s face and voice softened. “Liam is different. I can speak my mind more freely with him. He never says much, but always listens. You remember how he is. He gives a lot of thought to things before making up his mind. I think he’s open. I just need to find the right way and time in which to explain to him. It won’t be easy with his situation. He could never hide such beliefs as well as I can.”

Kyrin hung her head. Why couldn’t they just serve their God in peace? It didn’t harm anyone.

“Don’t worry,” her father said. “I’ll use every opportunity I can to speak to them. All of them.”

She looked up. Her heart beat heavily. “Just be careful.”

A grimace flashed across her father’s expression as if he knew something, something dreadful, but he warded off questions by hiding it behind a smile. “I will. Now, what do you say we eat?”

Kyrin hesitated, still wondering about his reaction, but maybe she didn’t want to know. She had more than enough to think about already. She looked down at the cooling food, which a moment ago sat forgotten, and picked up a spoon to try the light-colored soup in the bowl before her. It had a creamy chicken broth with dumplings.

“
Mmm, Kaden would die for this.”

“Still has a large appetite?”

“Voracious.” Kyrin laughed. “And I know why. Wait until you see him. He’s definitely inherited Grandfather’s height. I’m afraid he’s surpassed you now.”

William shrugged. “How can I complain about healthy, growing boys?” He took a bite of his soup, and once he swallowed, he said, “Speaking of the General, I have a surprise for you. Your grandfather is coming tomorrow.”

Kyrin paused, her spoon hovering over her bowl, and stared at her father. An odd surprise, considering. But her father smiled and his eyes twinkled.