“I did. The no good liar is dead.”

“That’s one thing you both have in common. You lie.” Robert filled a goblet with ale and took a swig.

“That’s something we both must have gotten from you.”

“Watch your mouth with me, son. I’m not too old yet to deliver you the beatings I gave you as a lad.” He went and sat on the edge of the bed. “Tell me, does he resemble you so much that I wouldn’t know the difference if I met him?”

“You tell me, Father,” Slatter said and walked closer to the man.

“What do yo—” Robert’s eyes glared with fury and he went to rush to his feet when he realized what he meant.

Slatter gave him such a hard shove that he fell back on the bed, his goblet flying out of his hand to land behind him on the bed, the ale spilling out and soaking into the tousled bedding.

“Where’s my son?” Robert demanded.

“Which one?”

Robert sneered. “My only son.”

“He’s where he belongs… in hell.”

Robert shook his fist at Slatter. “I’ll have your head for this.”

“You’re going to die, old man, by the hand of the son you never wanted.”

“Sterling was a fool. You seem otherwise. Why not take his place and inherit everything?” He sat up slowly.

“Like Sterling did to me, made everyone think he was me?”

“He needed to sew his wild side before settling down,” Robert said.

“You knew what he was doing?” Slatter asked, needing to hear him confirm it.

“Small harm to insignificant people. The fool just didn’t know when to stop.”

Slatter stepped away from him, having trouble believing this evil man was his father.

Robert eased off the bed, reaching under the mattress as he did.

“My mum was right when I asked about you. She told me you were insignificant to us. I see now what she meant. Your time has come, old man.”

He snickered and yanked the dagger from under the mattress. “You think I’ll let you get near enough to kill me, you fool?”

“I already did.” Slatter gave a nod to Robert’s chest, blood seeping through his robe.

“That nick takes a while before it ends a life. You have maybe a minute or two more, then you join your son in hell.”

Robert grabbed at his chest, blood smearing his hand. “You fool. You could have had everything.”

“I already do, and you would have never let me inherit. Not your bastard son. You would have killed me at first chance.”

Robert choked on his words. “You are my son. You killed me without thought.”

“No, I didn’t. I killed you to protect my family. You die leaving no heir. Your name will vanish along with the memory of you and your son.”

Robert’s breathing turned shallow. “I live on in you.”

“Never. My children will know the memory of the man who truly was a father to me. Your name will never leave my lips. You are no more.”