“Oh no, oh no,” she started to wail as the feelings slammed into her. She sobbed against him, her shoulders shaking, squeezing him so hard, digging her fingers into his tunic, clinging to him as if he were driftwood and she were drowning. She couldn’t breathe, the veil was stifling her, and she yanked it away.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured, stroking her hair. His presence was such a comfort, and she was grateful she did not have to stand against these crushing waves all alone. His chest felt so warm, his hands gentle and soothing. She wished deeply that it could be some other way, that he could have been hers.

The pain started to recede, much sooner than it had in the recent past. Fallon had helped lighten the burden. Squeezing her eyes shut, she listened to the murmur of the waterfall, and then she heard the even softer sound of his heart beating.

“Thank you for coming, Fallon,” she said, her voice raw. She clung to him, nestled close, enjoying the feel of his arms around her shoulders. She felt as weak as a newborn puppy.

“I’ll take you back,” he said, patting her shoulder. “We shouldn’t be alone like this. I have my reputation to maintain, you know.”

She laughed softly, though the sound was thick with tears. He always could make her laugh. “Thank you for considering your reputation.” She craned her neck, looking up at him. He was the most handsome man in the world to her.

“What?” he asked, seeing her expression but not understanding it.

“Thank you, Fallon. Thank you for being here.” She hooked her hand around his neck, pulled him down, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

It was obvious he was a little startled by that, but he gave her one of his appreciative smiles. With her arm still around his waist, they walked together down the rocky steps leading to the base of the falls.

“Is the Painted Knight coming to the Gauntlet of Kingfountain?” he asked as they maneuvered down, side by side.

Trynne felt a shudder ripple through her. She knew she couldn’t leave.

“She can’t,” Trynne whispered darkly.

PART II Knights

PART II

Knights

CHAPTER TWELVE Genevar

CHAPTER TWELVE

Genevar

Trynne sat facing Fallon across the Wizr board. They were in the solar of the castle in Ploemeur, sitting on two wooden chairs in companionable silence. She cast surreptitious glances at him as he brooded over the board, deep in thought. It was her father’s set, the one King Severn had given him as a child.

He reached out his hand, took a deconeus piece, and moved it diagonally to block a move she had been preparing to make. His interception abruptly ruined her plan. His abilities in the game had increased over the years. In their youth, he had played impatiently, often making quick errors that she had exploited to her advantage.