Impending Reprisals Read Free

brown eyes.
    Anya’s shoulders slumped as she allowed the tension to release, then sat heavy in the sturdy chair behind her. Propping an elbow on the table, she cupped her cheek in her palm and looked at Sedalene with a sideways gaze, eyes narrowing with suspicion. “The timing seems rather bizarre, do you not agree?”
    Sedalene’s lips pulled into a thin line. “And what act are you implying your father has committed?”
    “You nearly admitted as much yourself, Seda.”
    Sedalene’s mouth dropped before issuing an accommodating laugh. “All I said was your father had an urgent meeting in the city, and when he returned, he was eager to speak to Kaelestis.”
    “You know something.”
    “I know that which I have told you, and nothing more.”
    “And what is it you wish to know?” Chiberus questioned, leaning in the doorway.
    “Oh, blessed be! I bade you, speak to your foolish daughter for I have gotten nowhere with her.” Sedalene threw her hands up as she kicked the leg of Anya’s chair, jarring her to attention. “Go speak with your father and drill him for all your answers.”
    “Anya?” Chiberus folded his arms as he addressed her.
    “Oh, no you do not. I have a meal to prepare,” Sedalene said. “Speak in another room.”
    Sedalene pulled Anya forward, waving them out of the cookery with a lash of a towel.
    Chiberus and Anya sat across the table from each other in the dining hall; Chiberus leaning back with his arms crossed once again while Anya stared down at her folded hands.
    “Now, what it is you are pestering Sedalene about?”
    “I was not pestering,” she mumbled.
    He raised a brow. “I do not believe she would agree with you.”
    “I was simply asking if she had heard anything concerning Kael’s whereabouts.” She peered up at her father, studying him for his reaction—a response he did not attempt to mask.
    Surprise colored his face. He dropped his palms to his thighs to rub dry. “Yes, well, I was meaning to speak with you about that.”
    “Yes?” Her spine straightened, tensed in anticipation.
    “Kaelestis has left and will not be returning.”
    Anya’s heart slammed in her chest as she stared at her father, hoping she had not heard him correctly. “Where is he?” Her voice was muted to the point well below a whisper, shock setting in as her stomach quivered in fear.
    “Speak up, girl.
    Anya cleared the lump in her throat and tried again. “Where is he?”
    “Far from here. An apprenticeship, of sorts.”
    She shook her head in denial, her brow furrowed. “That does not make any sense. He said nothing about this to me.” She glared at her father, causing him to lean back a measure, surprised by her sudden anger. “You met with him yesterday to discuss something. What was it?”
    His black eyes narrowed at the bluntness of her demand, but he did not address it. It certainly was not in Anya’s character to behave in such a manner, so he knew something was truly vexing his daughter. “I chose him for the detail. That is what we spoke of.”
    “You?”
    “Yes. He will make a fine warrior, and will certainly make Liberwood proud.”
    Anya’s emerald eyes flashed as she pointed an accusing finger. “Why would you impose such a fate on him?”
    Chiberus was startled by her venomous tone, confused as to what the source could be and a bit more than perturbed by it. “I imposed nothing! It was his choice to make, and he accepted. True, it took him longer to commit than I would have thought necessary, but decide he did.”
    “And you did not even allow him to bid me farewell?” Tears flooded her eyes as she bit back a sob.
    “Certainly, I did!” Chiberus exclaimed, his voice rising with his frustration. “He refused.”
    Anya lowered her hand, studying her father with a level of skepticism she had never before felt toward him.
    Surely Kael would not leave without saying goodbye.
    Her father took a deep, calming breath. “He could not reveal his destination and