Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,40

difference, Miss Nerrow, is that William is my son-in-law. A public flogging would bring embarrassment to the throne, so we will have to make do with a private affair. In all honesty, I prefer it this way. As I said, I do enjoy administering the punishment myself.” He led the way toward the Nerrow home.

Chapter 9

The Nerrow household fell into chaos at the sudden appearance of the king. The baron’s servants were running to and fro, and Mark Nerrow was clearly working hard to hide his dismay at having such an auspicious visitor with no warning.

When Lord Nerrow spotted Will among those who entered, a moment’s panic flickered behind his eyes, but he recovered quickly. A look of deep concern entered his face when the circumstances were explained. Will’s father stared at his illegitimate son’s face, but Will had no idea what the man’s expression represented—shame, worry, embarrassment, or perhaps fear of discovery.

Will looked away. Currently he and Laina were standing in the kitchen, he with two guards holding him. Laina was free to do as she pleased, but for some reason she remained in the room. Why is she here? Will wondered. Shouldn’t she retire? Darla had been taken upstairs already, where apparently the bodyguard already had a room of her own.

Lognion was in the next room, speaking with Mark and Agnes Nerrow while he waited on servants to fetch the required implements. Glancing around once more, Will caught Laina staring at him. “You should probably go to your room. I don’t think you’ll want to see this,” he told her.

She ignored the suggestion. “This was supposed to be my punishment. The least I can do is stay with you.” She hesitated before asking, “Are you scared?”

“I’d be lying if I said otherwise,” he admitted.

They stood in silence for a minute, then she asked, “Why?”

“Why what?”

“All of it,” said Laina. “Why did you follow me in the rain? Why were you watching my home? Why would you put yourself in this position for me?”

“I thought Darla was an assassin—” he began, but she interrupted him.

“I’ve figured that out. I’m trying to understand your motivation. A while back, before she disappeared, Selene told me you were crazy, but I don’t think that’s the case. There’s definitely a reason of some sort. What is it?”

He couldn’t tell her he was her brother. Even if he were willing the two men holding his arms would hear. Cudgeling his brain, he tried to come up with a reasonable explanation for his behavior. “Remember the snake, when you were a child?” he said at last.

“Huh?”

Will pointed at the scar on his cheek. “When I got this? Maybe this is just a bad habit of mine.”

Laina seemed genuinely confused. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Can you answer without being cryptic?”

There was a stir in the next room as the man who had gone out to find the necessary items returned. His waiting would soon be done. He wasn’t about to be executed, but Will felt a sense of urgency. “For Selene,” he said quickly.

“Selene?”

“You wanted her help, but she couldn’t be there for you. I’m just trying to take care of you in her place.”

His half-sister gave him a suspicious look. “I’m not sure if I believe that, and even if it’s true, I can tell you for certain she wouldn’t want you to take the whip for me.”

“I didn’t really mean to,” said Will. “I didn’t think he would ask about her.”

“But you could have told him,” insisted Laina. “Most would say there’s no shame in obeying your king, even if it means you have to break a promise.”

He gave her a hard look. “I’m sure she’s told you about her family situation. Would you have told him?”

A shadow fell on her expression. “I’m not sure. It depends on the reason. He is the king, after all.”

“Then I made the right choice,” said Will, firming his jaw.

“What do you mean?”

“About not telling you where she is.”

She looked as though she’d