Page 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jasce

Sunlight seeps through the windows as I sit at my desk, absently rolling a piece of charcoal between my fingers.

William sprawls on the floor nearby, playing with the wooden warriors I carved for him.

My attention drifts to the window, where the desert sun bathes everything in harsh light, but all I see is Annora’s face—the way her eyes light up when she smiles, the way her cheeks flush when I tease her.

After I sneaked into her bedchamber, I returned to the stables to find Jude and Arian waiting for me. They didn’t waste time insisting that I return to Sharhavva, and it took everything I had to listen to their urging, to leave Annora behind.

“This is the bravest warrior, just like you,” William says.

A smile tugs at my lips as I shift to watch him. “Is that so?”

“Yes, and he has special fire magic.” He swoops one of the figures through the air, making whooshing sounds. “See? He’s protecting everyone, like you do.”

Everyone except my wife.

My fingers tighten around the charcoal until it snaps. I quickly brush the dust away before William notices.

If only I could march into Bakva and sweep Annora away from Aleksander.

“Jasce, watch this part.” William crashes two warriors together again and again.

I lean forward. “Show me what happens next.”

“The brave warrior fights the evil dictator.” Sunlight dances in his eyes as he smashes the wooden figures together for a third time. “And then…” He drops one figure to grab another, “…his friend comes to help.”

“That’s good of his friend.”

He nods. “The evil dictator tries to steal their magic, but the warrior protects everyone with his fire shield.”

“That’s very clever, Will.”

The birthmark on his forehead crinkles as he grins at me. “I learned about shields from watching you practice in the courtyard.” He demonstrates again, his uneven movements nearly toppling him, but he catches himself on the edge of my desk.

“Careful there.” I steady him with a hand on his shoulder.

“The warrior’s friend has special powers too. She can…” The lines near his mouth deepen as he thinks for a moment before continuing, “…she can make silver light that helps people.”

Unlike my father, I haven’t taught William to hate people from House of Silver. I even made sure William’s tutors teach him all about their magical abilities and the way they govern their people.

He tugs at my sleeve. “Are you watching? This is the best part.”

I drag my attention back to him. “I’m watching. Show me how it ends.”

William’s innocent game of good versus evil hits closer to home than he realizes. Except in real life, the brave warrior can’t simply swoop in and save everyone. Sometimes, the most painful thing is knowing when to hold back, even when every instinct screams to fight.