Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,36

off, I wouldn’t hold a grudge or try to do anything to you. I’m not like that.”

Seth’s lips formed a thin line, but he didn’t reply.

Will took a step forward, then paused. “Can I come in? I feel silly standing in the hall.”

His old roommate stepped back and held the door wide. Will stepped in and then took a seat at one of the two small study desks. Seth shut the door and then went to sit on the bottom bunk across from the desks. “I don’t blame you,” he said without preamble. “Just so you know.”

That caught Will by surprise. “For what?”

“For any of it, starting with Dennis and ending with Rob last year.”

Will winced. His friendship with Seth had taken a bad turn after he had challenged and then killed Dennis Spry, the son of Count Spry, in a duel. While it had technically been a duel, Will had set it up deliberately for the express purpose of killing the other student. In his own heart, he had known it was murder, and Seth had never felt comfortable around him since then. Rob’s death, or conversion to vampirism, hadn’t really been his fault, except that Rob wouldn’t have been so unfortunate it if wasn’t for his association with Will. He still didn’t know if his old friend was completely dead, or just mostly dead.

Unsure what to say, he replied, “Thanks.”

Seth leaned forward. “I mean it sincerely. I’ve done a lot of thinking, especially about Janice and what happened with Dennis. What you did was shocking, but looking back, I think you did the right thing.”

Will stared at the floor. “I appreciate that. I’m not sure I agree, but I couldn’t think of anything better.” Hearing Seth’s words removed a weight he hadn’t quite been aware of. In some way, his ex-roommate’s opinion served as a proxy for his own conscience. If Seth pronounced him innocent, maybe he wasn’t completely lost. “You should come over and eat with us sometime.”

Seth’s brows went up. “With Princess Selene? I’m not sure I could keep my food down, I’d be so nervous.”

“She’s not like most nobles, or royals I suppose,” said Will. “I mean, she’s different, because of how she was raised, but she’s genuinely kind, through and through. She cares about people.”

“I don’t have the clothes either,” argued Seth.

“What you’re wearing is fine. I don’t dress up to go home. Look at me.” Will stood and turned around. “This is how I dress most days.”

“I’ll think about it,” said Seth after a moment. “Let me see the boots.”

Will summoned them from the limnthal and handed them to Seth. His friend turned them over and looked at the sole. Something flickered across his features. “I know the cobbler already.”

“Who?”

“My father. This is his mark.”

“Do you know who owned the boots?”

Seth gave him a look of exasperation. “Just because he’s my father doesn’t mean I know his customers. I’ll have to ask him. Can I hold on to these for a day or two?”

“I need to know quickly. It’s important. I can come with you.”

“It’ll be easier if I talk to him privately. If you show up, he might not speak freely. My family is rather leery of royalty. I can go ask him tonight and let you know tomorrow.”

“It’s very urgent,” admitted Will.

Seth sighed. “It always is with you. Mind telling me exactly why? Or are you going to keep me in the dark the way you did Rob?”

Will blanched as the words struck him like a physical blow. “Just so you know, Seth, I did open up to Rob before the end. It doesn’t change the guilt I feel, but he made his own choice fully knowing the danger.”

“Sorry,” said Seth, sincerity in his voice. “I shouldn’t have said it like that.”

“Someone tried to assassinate Selene,” said Will flatly, baring the truth.

His old roommate’s breath hissed as he took a sharp intake of air. “Don’t joke about that!”

“I’m not.”

Seth was already putting on his shoes and tightening his belt. “I’ll go now. Do you want to wait here, or should I find you at your house?”

Will smiled. “Come to the house for dinner. If I start now, I can prepare something special for you.”

“Don’t you have a cook? Surely you don’t live in that big house and still cook your own meals?”

He growled. “Don’t get me started. There is a cook, but I haven’t made peace with the fact yet, although Jeremy seems like a nice fellow.”

Chapter 11

Selene still hadn’t returned,