The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

An Attractive Offer

"Of course... Tabatha," he said softly. There was something strange in the way he said my name, as though he was afraid of breaking it if he said it too loud; as though it were something precious and to be cherished. But there was also a hint of steel in his voice, like he was resentful of something. We continued walking through the shelves in silence as I stewed on my own thoughts. What on earth had I done to this man? Then, quite suddenly, an idea formed in my mind. Could it be?

"Your father has certainly done well for himself, coming from a town full of farmers," I remarked casually. I wanted to see how he would react.

"He has worked very hard for many years to provide us with the life we've grown accustomed to," Miles said. "I am very grateful to him."

"Lord Braeden seems a kind man... What of your mother? I have not met her yet."

Miles visibly stiffened at my side, and I thought that perhaps I'd made a mistake. "My mother is no longer with us," he said tersely. My heart was hammering in my chest as I weighed my words carefully. "She died when I was young."

"Miles—"

"I know what you are thinking," he cut me off quickly, his voice as hard as ice. "But you should banish that thought from your head right now. Adelaide is not my mother. As much as my father may have wished it, she never loved him the way she did that man." My breath caught in my throat as I realized Miles knew exactly who my father was. Could I possibly be in danger here? Miles suddenly turned on me, and I was shocked to see the coldness in his eyes—something I'd never seen from Murtagh. "Why have you come here?" he demanded. "What do you want from us?"

"Miles, I don't understand," I said helplessly, backing away with small steps from his growing anger. "I'm not here for anything. The Varden—we came here, and Angela told me to find your father! So he could help me!"

"You need to leave, Tabatha. The sight of you only tortures my father, and reminds me that my mother could never compare to a dead woman. Make whatever excuses you must, but you must go." I was so in shock at the words coming out of his mouth, that all I could do was stand there frozen with my mouth hanging wide open. Now it all made sense.

"How dare you?" I finally said once I found my voice. "I have done nothing to warrant such treatment from you. It may be that your father loved my mother, but I am not her. I came here to ask for your father's help, and I will not be scared away by you. If you cannot stand the sight of me, as you claim, then perhaps you should reevaluate why it is you hate me. Is it for anything I have done?"

"It is for what you are!" he suddenly yelled. "You are an unnatural demon, sent here to torment my father with ghosts from his past! I want you gone!" His voice had risen to such a level that I'm sure the entire house was awake by now.

"That is not up to you," I growled darkly. "If your father wishes me to stay, then I shall do so." He made to say something else, but was suddenly cut off by the opening of the door. Both of our heads snapped towards the entrance of the library, and I saw Braeden entering, a wide smile upon his face.

"Ah!" he exclaimed happily, clapping his hands. "There you two are. Having a nice early morning chat?" Miles took a step back from me and straightened up, clasping his hands behind his back once more.

"I was just showing Lady Tabatha some of our rarer volumes," he intoned dryly, looking as though he wished to be anywhere else besides here.

"Wonderful!" There was a light in Braeden's eyes as he looked back and forth between me and his son. Miles certainly was a talented liar, but I wasn't about to expose him. The look on his father's face led me to believe it would break his heart if he knew there was any animosity between us. And after what had happened with my mother, I felt a certain duty towards Braeden. Perhaps I felt like I needed to atone for what she had done. "Forgive me for interrupting, but I wanted to see if you'd like to continue our conversation from last night," he continued, coming over to me and putting an arm around my shoulder in a very fatherly gesture. "Would you join me in the garden?"