Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology #2) - Robin LaFevers Page 0,164

from the chaff when it is ripened, almost as if it knows what I intend to do. Come, I tell the soul. It is time for you to go. You have done your work here.

Like some timid creature emerging from the underbrush, the soul slowly eases from Crunard’s body. It is cloaked in regret and remorse so thick I can almost see it with my physical eyes. It is also filled with love and cannot resist drifting to Maraud and wrapping itself around him. He shivers, as if chilled.

“Is that him?” he whispers.

“Yes,” I say around the lump in my throat. “He is telling you goodbye.”

Maraud closes his eyes and opens himself, I think, to the soul—allowing some final understanding to pass between them. It is a moment of not only divine grace, but human as well.

 Chapter 93

Sybella

As the great spires of the city of Nantes come into view, the sudden onslaught of sordid memories takes me by surprise. Unwelcome images—Count d’Albret slaying innocent servants, pressing his lips to mine when he learned I was not his true daughter, Julian lying in a pool of blood—fill my vision, causing the late spring day to darken. I am overcome with a deep reluctance to continue. “Will Lord Montauban meet us out here, or must we enter the city?”

“We do not have to enter the palace.” Beast’s softly spoken words are laced with understanding.

“Did you already arrange a place to meet?”

“No. I was to send word once we returned.” He watches me quietly as I sort through our options.

Marshal Rieux had said he would send letters to Nantes from the other noble houses in Brittany for us to deliver to the king. Their confirmation of the rebellion—and the news that it has successfully been contained—will carry the most weight.

The main gate and its two round towers come into view, the light-colored stone nearly blinding in the bright sun. Beast holds up his hand and raises his voice so those behind us can hear. “We’ll rest the horses here before entering the city,” he tells the rest of our party, giving me more time to think.

Aeva sends him a look of disbelief that disappears when she sees my face. This is beyond idiotic, I berate myself. I am not some child to be haunted by nightmares. Nevertheless, she, Lazare, Yannic, and the others fall back into the shade of the nearby trees.

After a short silence, Beast says, “It is natural to grieve. And be afraid.”

“You are never afraid,” I point out.

“Of course I am. All the time.” He squirms faintly in his saddle. “Well, mayhap not all the time.”

“When?”

“Whenever your safety or the girls’ is in question, I am terrified.”

Our gazes hold for a long moment before I take a deep breath. My old enemies cannot hurt me now. The disloyal Jamette, the brutal Captain de Lur, the duplicitous Madame Dinan, even Lord d’Albret have been vanquished. Only Pierre remains, and he is far away from here. I take a second breath, letting this one force the ghosts of the past from my mind. “We shall enter the city, although I would prefer we stay at an inn. You can arrange for the letters to be sent there.”

“We may not need to,” Beast says. “The marshal appears to have been alerted to our arrival and has sent an escort.” He motions toward an approaching group of riders.

My heart lifts at the thought that I will not have to enter the city after all.

But as we wait, I notice the party is well armed, and there are nearly a dozen of them, which seems too many for a simple escort. Furthermore, they are not wearing Rieux’s colors. “Those are the king’s colors,” I say softly.

His face impassive, Beast calls back to the others. “Stay where you are and do not come out.” Behind us, there is a rustle of movement as they slip deeper into the trees for cover.

“Do you think he has heard of our success in putting down the rebellion?” I ask.

“It is possible.” Beast does not sound convinced.

When they are close enough that we can see their faces, I recognize Captain Stuart riding at the head, and a wave of foreboding washes over me.

They do not slow their approach, but ride to encircle us, Captain Stuart’s voice ringing out. “Benebic de Waroch and Lady Sybella d’Albret, you are under arrest for raising arms against the crown. I have orders to take you directly to the king.”

 Chapter 94

Inside the palace, the guards