As much as it irked her, the commander was right. Halcyon was gifted. Killing the dog to save Evadne from a mauling had been the final sign Gregor and Phaedra needed.
Halcyon was not made for the grove. She did not belong there.
“Is she surprised to see that you limp?” Straton asked. His audacity brought Evadne’s gaze back to his. And he seemed to be waiting for it, to see what her eyes held, because he continued, “Your foot would have been healing when she departed for Abacus years ago. She must hate to see that your old pains still give you grief.”
“I imagine she will be surprised,” Evadne replied in a near hiss. “When she finally sees me again tonight.”
The commander set aside his ale. “You and I can cease with the pretense, Evadne.”
“I do not know what you—”
“Where are you hiding her? I know she came to you for aid last night. Where are you keeping her?”
Evadne drew in a deep breath. She saw his game, how he had provoked her, hoping her anger would loosen her tongue. Her voice emerged flat. “I do not know what you speak of, Lord Straton. I do not know why you have come here, asking after Halcyon. We have not seen her, but we expect her to arrive tonight. You can wait to talk to her then.”
“She did not tell you,” he stated softly with realization. “Although how can I blame her? I would not want to tell my sister such a crime, either.”
“Lord Straton—”
“Do you want me to tell you, then, Evadne? Do you want me to tell you what Halcyon has done and why she is running from me?”
Evadne could not breathe. Her heart was pounding so hard she worried that she would be sick at the commander’s feet.
He continued to wait for her to answer, but when Evadne remained silent, he sighed and sat back in his chair.
She thought he would withhold the knowledge, and she began to rise, even though he had not dismissed her. And his voice rose with her, honed to cut.
“Your sister has committed murder.”
The words hit her like a stone. She stood before Straton, her mind trying to reconcile what he had just uttered with what Evadne knew of her sister.
Halcyon was good. She was loyal. Courageous. Respectful. She was nigh perfect.
How could she have murdered someone?
Evadne sat back down, her legs quivering.
But Halcyon had also been away for eight years. Did Evadne even truly know her sister now? She had snuck home, blood beneath her nails, uncertain what the commander would do if he caught her. And what had she said to Evadne?
“It was an accident.”
Straton laughed, a hacking sound that made the hair stand on Evadne’s arms. “Is that what she told you? That it was an accident?”
His scorn was blistering. Evadne covered her mouth, her composure beginning to crack.
“Halcyon slayed a fellow hoplite,” the commander said. “And then she ran. She is a murderer and a coward, and if you do not tell me where you are concealing her, I will punish her tenfold when I drag her to—”
“Get out.”
Gregor’s voice sliced through the air. He walked deeper into the chamber, to stand behind Evadne, his stare fixed upon the commander.
Straton quieted, surprised that Gregor had interrupted him.
“You cannot come into my home and speak to my daughter in such a way,” Gregor stated coldly. “Leave. Now.”
Straton took his time gathering his weapons. But he kept his eyes on Gregor, who returned the bold stare, and they spoke a silent language Evadne could not understand but all the same felt like a kopis grazing her skin.
The commander departed, slamming the door.
Once he was gone, Evadne could breathe again, and she drew a shaky gasp. She felt her father’s hand on her shoulder; his touch was gentle until she tried to stand.
“Not yet, Pupa.”
He moved to kneel before her. His eyes searched hers.
“Gregor,” Phaedra warned. She appeared at the edge of Evadne’s vision, as did her aunt and uncle and her cousins. “Wait until he has ridden away.”
Evadne should not have been surprised that her entire family had eavesdropped. They must have heard the exchange between her and Straton. And Gregor continued to stare at her. She saw the twitch in his cheek.
Maia hurried to the window, peering out into the courtyard. It felt like an hour had passed before she announced, “He’s gone.”
Gregor rushed a hand over his beard, deliberating. “Is it true, Evadne?” he asked. “Did Halcyon come to you last night?”
“Father . . .”
“Answer me!”
Evadne flinched. Her father rarely raised his voice, and when he did, it had never been directed at her. She sat deeper in the chair.
“Do not lie to me, Daughter. Did that man speak truth? Did you aid your sister?”
If she spoke, she would break. Evadne nodded, her throat narrow.
“When did this happen?”
Evadne made no reply, struggling to hide her tears. But she watched the revelation unfurl in his eyes. He was thinking of last night, when he had come to Evadne’s room. The window had been open to the wind and the rain . . .
“Where is she, Evadne? I hope you hid her well, because Lord Straton is going to kill her when he finds her.”
“I-I did not hide her, Father!” Evadne stammered. “I gave her food and drink. She refused to tell me what she had done, why she was running, or where she planned to go.”
Again, that terrible expression overcame Gregor’s face. He rose and glanced at his brother and nephew. “Nico, Lysander, come with me.”
Evadne knew the men were going to search for Halcyon. And Evadne would not sit idly, waiting for them to come home. She stood and breathed, “Father, wait.”
Gregor paused, but he did not look at her. “I want you to stay here, Evadne. Do not leave these villa walls, do you understand?”
Was he punishing or protecting her? She could not tell, but nor would she stay here. She walked to him, and Gregor had no choice but to lift his eyes, to look at her. There was such fear, such bloodshot agony within him.
Evadne whispered, “I think I know where to find Halcyon.”
V
Halcyon
Halcyon had set her hope on the mountains. It was the only place she could think of where the commander might not follow. The mountains of Corisande, especially the western ridge that was called Dacia, were known to be harsh. Not many mortals lived at such heights due to the foul weather but also because of the proximity to the dreaded Mount Euthymius.
Halcyon, however, no longer feared that summit.
And as she departed Isaura in the storm, she knew she was ill-prepared for the hike. She would need to stop somewhere to pilfer, somewhere like the village of Dree.
Halcyon set her pace, risking the road because it was faster. But soon she had to slow to a walk, so exhausted she could hardly feel her legs. She had been catching sleep hours at a time, whenever she felt safe. And while she wanted to keep pushing herself, her mind was becoming foggy.
She had time. The storm would slow Straton. And the grove of Isaura was difficult to find, one of the last magical enchantments Kirkos had cast before he fell.
Halcyon veered from the road. She knew there was a grotto nearby, a place where she and Evadne and the cousins had often explored. It was also a place where travelers could find shelter, and she searched it warily.