A flicker of memory, there and gone. A man’s anguish. A child’s face.

Or what was left of the child’s face.

There and gone.

Taking the brandy with him, he went out to one of the courtyards.

“When I stepped away from the living Realms, and Dhemlan,” he told the night sky,“I thought I’d given Daemon a healthy Territory and a clean slate to begin his rule. But it looks like I have some unfinished business after all.”

CHAPTER 24 - TERREILLE

CHAPTER 24

TERREILLE

Several days after the dinner party at the Keep,Theran walked into Powell’s office so soon after breakfast, the Steward wasn’t settled behind his desk yet.

“Did the letter arrive?” he asked.

“The messenger just returned from the Keep with the sack,” Powell replied. “I haven’t even opened it yet.”

“Well, get on with it.”

Before Powell could say what he looked like he wanted to say, Ranon and Shira walked into the office, with Archerr following right behind them.

“Did the letter arrive?” Ranon asked.

“Hell’s fire,” Powell muttered. “The last time this many men were interested in a single letter, it was because all the young men in my village were waiting to see who the prettiest girl had asked to be her escort to the harvest dance.”

“It’s been enough time,” Theran muttered. “How long can it take to write down the names of a few plants?”

Shira rolled her eyes. “Men are so dim about some things. The more it matters, the more time it takes.”

Theran gave Ranon a sharp smile. “So what’s Ranon hurrying that he shouldn’t be?”

Ranon snarled at Theran.

“I wasn’t talking about him,” Shira said.

“If anyone is interested,” Powell said, “Lady Cassidy has two letters here—no, three. And there’s a box for Gray. Looks like Prince Sadi’s writing on the label, and that’s definitely the SaDiablo seal.”

“Damn,” Theran and Ranon said.

Theran sighed, then raked his fingers through his dark hair. “Give it to me. I’ll take it out to Gray.” And try to figure out what to say today when that look of disappointment fills his eyes.

Powell handed over the box.

Breakfast felt like a cold, heavy lump in Theran’s stomach, and it got heavier and colder with every step he took toward the ground Gray was breaking for this new planting.

He’s working too hard, hoping for too much, Theran thought. These past few days, he had the feeling that Gray had made a blind leap and had broken the life he’d cobbled together, but wasn’t sure of what kind of life he would have in its place. What kind of life he could build.

If he could build anything at all.

“Gray?”