A beam of sunlight hit Indenuel’s eyes, and he lifted his hand to shield his face. He felt his body waking up. He slowly sat up, moving away from the beam of light.
“Indenuel?” Tolomon asked from a corner. He rubbed his head but didn’t answer. “How are you feeling?”
He felt groggy, like waking up with a bad ale ache, with none of the painful headache, but he was going to keep that to himself. “How long was I asleep?”
“Almost two days,” Tolomon said. “It’ll be dinner time soon.”
He blinked at the evening light streaming in from the windows. He stared, trying to remember what happened. Of course, he could never forget what he did, but everything after was such a high emotional day, he couldn’t remember exactly what was going on. After his secret conversation with Cristoval, Tolomon brought him in from the carriage, and he forced himself to walk, because he could not let his servants get him undressed. Tolomon insisted he remain in the room, now that they knew the threat. Indenuel couldn’t fight it. Instead, he simply let Tolomon in before collapsing in his bed, ordering him not to let the servants undress him for any reason, because he just needed to sleep. And sleep he did.
Indenuel stared at the window again at the dying light. His mind was sharper now. He was back to his old self. Well, except for the fact that he was a murderer and literally pushed Andres into Hell. And yet somehow no one suspected him. Except Matteo.
“The children?” Indenuel asked.
“At High Elder Martin’s home,” Tolomon said. Indenuel nodded, then stared out the window again. Tolomon took a few steps closer. “The invitation is of course extended to you, once you were awake.”
He paused again, trying to get his mind organized. Of course he wanted to see the children. To check on Matteo. Needed to make sure the boy was all right. It had been a while where Matteo was sitting on this secret.
“There are some things you ought to know,” Tolomon said.
He sat up, making sure his chest was fully covered by his shirt before dropping the blankets around him. He was still in his clothes from the day before. “Yes? What is it?”
“The High Elders are on the watch for some marked individuals. They believe a witch or warlock is among the city, waiting to kill you,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel ran a hand through his hair, trying to let the worry come through on his face more than the relief. “Oh?”
“As such, I will never leave your side until the threats have been arrested. I have had my things moved so I can sleep here. It is a dangerous time,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel looked over to see a smaller bed stuffed into the corner. “Of course. Thank you. That… that makes me feel better.” If he had fooled the High Elders, he’d just have to keep fooling Tolomon. It might be tough the first few weeks, but it would get easier. Especially once he’d meditated the mark off his chest.
“I will have the servants prepare a bath for you,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel’s heart sank. Baths. Where Tolomon would never leave the room. Where he’d stay by his side until the “threat” was eliminated. Keeping this from Tolomon would be a lot harder than he thought.
“Of… course. Yes. That would be nice.”
“And anything to eat?” Tolomon asked, heading toward the door.
“Oh, no. If I’m to go to Martin’s, it would be easier if I hadn’t eaten for two days,” he said, trying to make a joke. Tolomon barely smiled. Was he trying to be funny too quickly? It had, after all, only been a few days since the murders.
The servants were quick with the bath. Indenuel was worried the entire time, biting on his fingernail as he tried to think. He could get rid of the mark by himself. He’d done it before. He needed time to meditate. Granted, he hadn’t murdered anyone with his powers before, but he was pretty sure he could get it off.
“Do you need help undressing, sir?” a servant asked.
“No, no. I’m fine. I require privacy. I’d like a relaxing bath alone,” Indenuel said.
“Of course, sir,” the servant said before they shuffled away.
Indenuel hoped Tolomon would follow, but he didn’t. It wouldn’t be that easy with him.
The door closed, and Indenuel watched Tolomon, who gave him a curious look in response. “I can’t leave your side.”
“Could… could you at least turn around?” Indenuel asked.
Tolomon raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Seriously.”
“I’ve been with you at the bathhouse at the training grounds,” Tolomon said dryly.
“This is different.”
“Different how?”
“Because… because I’m the only one getting undressed. Just turn around. Give me privacy,” Indenuel said.
Tolomon grumbled but obeyed, turning his back to him. Indenuel double checked to make sure he wasn’t peeking before turning his back on his bodyguard and slipping his shirt off. He looked down at the angry red marks on his chest and knew this was going to be a quick bath. He eased the gloves off his hands, wincing as they peeled his newly healed scabs off, causing them to bleed again. At least his back was still to Tolomon when he slid into the bathtub. It felt magnificent on his body, but it wouldn’t last. He had to be quick.
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It had taken him a week once to get the marks off his chest, and that was meditating every chance he had, but he was stronger now. Yes, he never used his powers to murder before, but he’d do what he did then. Spend every possible moment meditating. He could use this excuse of the marked individuals to strengthen his powers through meditation.
He dressed quickly. Tolomon, true to his word, didn’t look until Indenuel had everything on but his jacket. He straightened the gloves on his hands, choosing black gloves to hide any blood that might leak on them from tearing the recently healed wounds. He should have taken off his gloves before going to bed, but he was far too paranoid someone would see his hands. The bruises were now a discolor of healing greens and yellows, but the scars still needed to be healed.
“Interesting fashion choice,” Tolomon said as Indenuel slipped another shirt over himself to make sure the mark was securely covered.
“It’s cold,” Indenuel said. “It’s almost winter.” He put on the jacket before daring a look at Tolomon.
“Winter doesn’t exist in Santollia City,” he said in a teasing manner.
“Alright, I saw someone wear this and thought it was fashionable. Come on, let’s go,” Indenuel said as he left the room, straightening his jacket. Tolomon grabbed his shoulder and he stiffened, terrified he already guessed the secret, but he simply pulled him back before walking in front of him.
“It may take some getting used to but let me walk in front for a while. Just to be safe,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel nodded, falling back into a habit of not saying anything.
They rode to Martin’s house and saw more guards than usual around Martin’s home. He was anxious to see the children. Everyone was on edge to find the marked individuals, but he needed to check in on Matteo. The fact that there wasn’t a guard waiting to arrest him and throw him in the dungeon was enough to know Matteo hadn’t told anyone yet, but it couldn’t be good for the boy’s emotional health. Though checking in on the boy would be difficult, now that Tolomon was practically next to him the entire time and would stay there until who knows when.
When the carriage stopped at Martin’s home, Tolomon was in front of Indenuel, a hand practically glued to the hilt of his sword as they walked toward the door. Derio opened it, giving a bow.
“The children?” Indenuel asked immediately.
“In the nursery, sir,” Derio said. “Your presence is first requested in Martin’s study. Speaking with you is his top priority.”
Indenuel bowed before he turned, heading down the now familiar route to Martin’s study. He barely gave the door a knock before it opened by some gentlemen in the King’s Militia. Indenuel and Tolomon moved out of the way as they left. Tolomon walked in first, his hand still on the hilt before he ushered Indenuel in.
“I’m rather anxious to check on the children,” Indenuel said.
“It is of the children I wish to speak about. It will be brief,” Martin said.
His heart rammed against his ribs. “What happened? Are they alright?”
“Oh, perfectly. Perfectly. See, we had some people from our sister city come over and test the children, and the reports are promising. Your mother taught them well, not only in manners, but in reading, writing, even a little mathematics.”
Indenuel stuffed his gloves in his pockets. “An education was important to my mother.”
“Now, with their former guardians…” Martin trailed off, giving Indenuel a concerned look. He looked away because it was expected. “We have an idea of how to help the children with no guardians to speak of to help them.”
“I am still capable of raising them, sir. Let them stay here with me,” Indenuel said.
“Out of the question. With news of witches and warlocks hunting you down, it is vital you stay focused on fulfilling the prophecy,” Martin said. “As such, we’ve arranged for them to go to school. Matteo to the best boy’s school in the country, and the twins to the best of the girls’.”
“You’re splitting them up?” Indenuel couldn’t keep the horror from his voice.
Martin raised an eyebrow. “These schools are in the same city. Just on different sides. It is important for these children to keep their decency. They can visit each other, of course, if they wish.”
“Emilia and Isla are too young!” Indenuel said.
“A guardian has already been assigned to them and already began quite the bond.”
“Matteo will be all alone.”
“He’ll make friends.”
“He’s not…” Indenuel stopped himself. He wished he could believe what Martin said, but after all the trauma that boy went through, he couldn’t be sure. “I should have been consulted.”
Martin frowned. “You are not the children’s guardian. That was Lucia’s position. And then Andres and Lola’s after her.” Indenuel’s gloved fingers curled into fists as he kept them in his pockets, the wounds stinging as they brushed against the material. “Besides, you have been asleep for a long time. The children’s safety was vital to get organized.”
Indenuel said nothing, closing his eyes. “What city are they going to?”
“I’m sorry, Indenuel. The less you know, the better,” Martin said.
“Dammit, Martin, what do you think is going to happen?” The anger was clear, and Martin’s frown became more apparent.
“There are two, possibly more marked individuals after you, my boy. Anyone who spends any time around you know how much you love those children. It is clear if Kiam wants to weaken you, they will head straight for them.”
Indenuel’s chest was heaving. “And so, you are taking them away from me? Not even telling me where they’re going? Never letting me visit them again?”
Martin stood. “Once the individuals are caught and taken care of, once everything is safe again, you will see them again. I give you my word.”
Indenuel closed his eyes to keep from glaring. He knew the children were safe. It was down to his own pride. If he confessed, he could see the children. If not…
“Give me some time to think about it.”
“A carriage will arrive well after dark to take them to our sister city,” Martin said quietly. “There’s nothing more to talk about.”
Indenuel opened his eyes, trying to keep the glare from his face, but it was there all the same. He needed to stay calm, not let the corruption flair up in his wrists again. He stood next to two healers, they would sense it, and they would have questions as to why it was so strong. “I understand.” He barely moved his lips before he turned around and headed out of the study, a faint itching returning to his wrist.
“Indenuel!” He turned to see Sara coming straight for him. He tried to smile, but it was getting harder to do these days. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“Must you even ask me that?” Indenuel asked quietly.
“Only to be polite. I’ve already got the servants setting two extra plates for dinner. You will gain weight if it’s the last thing I do,” she said, patting his stomach.
Indenuel forced a smile, watching her as she left before straightening his shirt, worried she might have sensed something. He closed his eyes, rubbing his temple with his gloved hand, and not moving until the faint itching in his wrist went away. It appeared way too quickly. He’d have to be aware of that. With the marks this red, anger would make him react this way.
“Indenuel?” Tolomon asked.
He waited a few moments more before the itching was truly gone and tried to give Tolomon a smile. “I need to see the children.”
He nodded, then lead the way to the nursery.