Fallen

Chapter 7: What I Did For Love

WHAT I DID FOR LOVE

Sylas stood resolutely before the Lord of Leighlinbridge. The older man was close to Sylas’s father, Séan, in age. He had a sternness etched upon his brow, flanked by crow’s-feet and laugh lines. He was stout, crowned with white hair, and mantled with a red overcoat with gold toggles. He stamped his cane against the stones of his meeting hall. “I have no reason to entertain your offer. You’ve been gone a year. I’ve a mind to match Ciatlllait with McDougall. The arrangements have already been made. She weds him tonight.”

Sylas clenched his fists. A heat rose up his neck and into his cheeks. “I am your Prince, and if you wish to continue living in peace and prosperity with Summerseat, you will bend to my request.”

Lord Leighlinbridge squinted at Sylas. His fat lips puckered. “No.”

Sylas inhaled sharply and looked away to recompose himself. He turned his gaze back to Leighlinbridge. “You can do no better than to wed your daughter to a prince of the Isle. I ask you one last time. Wed Ciatlllait to me. Tonight.”

Lord Leighlinbridge stared Sylas down. Sylas squared his shoulders. Leighlinbridge called over his scribe and whispered aside to him. The scribe nodded several times and went away to execute his master’s wishes. Leighlinbridge looked back to Sylas.

Sylas took another deep breath. “At least allow me the chance to fight for her.”

Leighlinbridge leaned his chin against his fist. His ruby ring pressed into his face. As he was about to speak, the doors of his meeting hall burst open. Sylas rounded. Before any heralds had time to announce him, Séan marched into the room. He paused a few feet from Sylas, the color gone from his face. “So it’s true.”

Sylas looked between Séan and Lord Leighlinbridge. Séan stared at Sylas, and Leighlinbridge at Séan. Sylas was unsure of what to say. He swallowed. “Hello, Father.”

Séan strode to Sylas and hugged him tightly, before holding him at arm’s length and cuffing his ear. Sylas cringed. Séan looked him in the eye with a set jaw. “You have failed at the one thing I tasked you with.”

Sylas’s brow knit. “I protected the king.”

Séan frowned. “The king is dead.”

“Long live the king!” Lord Leighlinbridge interjected.

Séan held up his hand to him, then looked back to Sylas. Sylas’s heart ripped. His eyes watered. He gritted his teeth and turned away from his father. He had been so determined to reunite with Laittie, he had forgotten his vow. Even in the unliving world, he had not remembered. How could he have when time and memory were erased?

He swallowed the knot in his throat, feeling sick. He thought his legs might fail him. He shook his head. No. It was Crwys. She had gone back on her word. He had gone in Sionnach’s stead as promised. He turned back to Séan with a pained expression. “When?”

“The night before last. I do not know if I am in greater disbelief that you are alive or that you did not come home at once. Why would you come here and meddle in foreign affairs? You are needed at Killeagh. How have you escaped death?”

“I do not think you would believe me if I told you.” The words burned in Sylas’s throat. “I did it all for love.”

“Love.” Séan scoffed. He turned to Lord Leighlinbridge.

Leighlinbridge rose and bowed. “My King.”

Séan motioned him over. “What would you have me do with this whelp bothering you, old friend?”