Chương 49: 049

Dominicus shook his head, amusement tugging faintly at the corners of his mouth.

"You're not wrong," he said.

"Though the day is still young." I grimaced, heat creeping up my cheeks as I shot him a glare, then belatedly remembered he couldn't see it. \"I'll do my best not to cause a fuss," I muttered.

"Now, let's move on. This is the resistance leader, I take it?" Dominicus nodded, gesturing to the man at his side.

"Yes. This is Henry. I've already briefed him on the situation." Henry straightened, shaking off his initial surprise. Whatever warmth he might have carried hardened into a grim, deliberate mask.

"The king is truly dead, then?" Sharp, assessing eyes locked onto mine. I resisted the urge to shift under the weight of his stare.

"He is," I answered evenly.

"I saw it myself. There's no coming back from that spell." Dominicus's expression tightened, unreadable. A knot twisted in my stomach as memory stirred, of Henry's corpse rising, hollow and wrong. Of the power he wielded. I kept my face neutral, even as unease crept under my skin. I wouldn't know about that ability in this timeline. Still… the thought lingered. He can raise the dead? Time cut in, disbelief sharpening his tone. That should not be possible.

Even Death himself cannot reclaim a soul once it has crossed his threshold. I kept my attention on Henry as I replied silently. Not exactly. He can reanimate bodies, but the soul isn't there. I've seen it. Ah. Time's tension eased. That is… less alarming. Though still deeply unsettling. You're telling me. The memory of Henry's lifeless body crawling back to motion made my skin prickle. If Dominicus hadn't named Fate as his patron, I might have assumed Death himself stood behind him. Indeed.

When I have recovered, I will speak with Death on this matter… Time trailed off, sinking into thought. The silence stretched, then Henry laughed. The sound burst out of him, loud and genuine, and the severity drained from his features in an instant. Years of strain seemed to fall away as he stepped forward and clapped a heavy hand against my back, nearly knocking the breath from my lungs. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"Good on you!" he boomed.

"That was our goal when we left Dawnmoor. But knowing he's gone without a single casualty on our side?" He shook his head in relief.

"My wife and daughter will be thrilled when I return home early." The room went cold. I shot a wary glance at Dominicus.

"You didn't tell him?" I'd thought it strange Henry hadn't asked about his daughter earlier. Now, the omission made sickening sense. Henry's smile faltered as he turned sharply.

"Tell me what?" Dominicus grimaced.

"I was getting to it. He insisted on meeting you first." He exhaled slowly.

"Let's finish introductions before we continue. He won't be in any mood for pleasantries once he knows." Henry's brow furrowed, impatience sharpening into suspicion.

"What are you two talking about?" I opened my mouth, but Dominicus spoke first, his unfocused gaze piercing straight through Henry.

"Your daughter is not safe in your town," he said quietly.

"She's here. Somewhere. Nikolas saw her." Henry moved faster than I could react. His fist clenched in my cloak, nearly yanking me off my feet as his voice broke.

"She's here? Where?!" Instinct screamed at me to strike, to break free, but I crushed it down. Keeping my voice steady, I covered his hand with mine and forced a breath through my chest. A frantic man demanding answers I don't have about someone he loves… Why does this feel familiar? Time huffed softly. I regret nothing.

"I didn't see her myself," I said carefully.

"But Silas bragged about kidnapping the resistance leader's daughter. If I had to guess… she's being held in a cell somewhere." The color drained from Henry's face. His grip slackened, and he stumbled back, bracing himself against the wall as if his legs had simply given up.

"Spirits above and below…" he whispered.

"If those monsters touched Maya…" His voice cracked.

"What of my wife?" Grief and terror twisted his features. I scrambled for words, but before I found any, he straightened sharply, resolve snapping into place as he turned for the door.

"No time," he growled.

"I need to find my daughter. Who knows what that bastard has done to her? She must be terrified." Alarm bells went off in my head. I lunged, grabbing his arm before he could bolt into the corridor.

"Wait! We'll find her, but if the king's soldiers see you, you'll be killed!" His response was an elbow to my jaw. Pain flashed white as he tore free.

"Let them come!" he roared.

"I'll slaughter anyone who stands between me and my Sweetling!" The door flew open, and he vanished down the hall.

"Dominicus-." I started.

"I know," he cut in, already moving.

"This is the other reason I waited. I knew how he'd react." He paused at the threshold, expression grim.

"Henry is known across the resistance as a kind, gentle man. A capable warrior, but when those he loves are threatened, reason abandons him. We must hurry. Stealth is no longer an option." I adjusted my bag and pulled my hood up. Inside, the fox stirred, curling around my neck before settling again. With a slow, resigned breath, I followed Dominicus into the corridor, bracing myself for the chaos ahead.