“Why does it even matter to you?” Seth whispered hoarsely. Guilt was settling firmly on his shoulders and it wasn’t an emotion that he was familiar with. He had never wasted the effort on remorse and had always believed what he did was justified no matter how brutal it was.
“Because I echo Zoelyn’s sentiments about you, Seth. I want to see you redeemed and I have been doing everything I can to push you down that road. I’m not your former master. I don’t want you to serve for eternity,” Finn answered sadly.
“Why?” Seth asked softly.
“Because when I look at you, I see what I would have become had Jala not appeared in my life. I was well on the way to being you, and I know you can change, Seth. I did.” Finn smiled and shook his head as he sighed heavily. “Besides, Fate has something in store for you. You might be blind to it, but I’m not. Everything is circling around you, Seth. It can’t be a coincidence that all of these things are happening. I mean, what are the odds of your son raising the only Undrae that has existed in centuries. Something is coming, Seth, and you will have a role in it. I’m certain of that.”
“I truly hope you are wrong,” Seth murmured. The way he felt right now, he didn’t think he could face anything else. Finn’s words rang with too much truth and he had a lot to consider. His mind circled back to Zoelyn and his guilt increased. With shoulders slumped he leaned heavily back against the wall and shook his head at Finn. “I don’t think I could face more right now,” he admitted quietly.
“Good. Then you are finally on the right path,” Finn nodded with approval and stepped closer to Seth. “You know, in time, she might forgive you. With Zoey, it probably wouldn’t even be that much time. She is a sweet girl. However…” Finn paused and pressed his hand firmly against Seth’s chest. White fire coursed through Seth’s veins at the touch and when the Lord of Death pulled his hand back, Seth could feel his magic weaken. “You can do it without this. I think you have done enough damage with your Charm magic. If you want her trust back, Seth, earn it,” Finn finished as he stepped away from Seth.
Seth gaped at him and slid down the wall to sit. He shook his head at Finn slowly and swallowed heavily at the thought. “I don’t even know how to talk to someone without using the Charm.”
“I suggest you learn, then,” Finn began as he headed for the door. “Consider what I’ve said, Seth. I have to serve my own penance now so you should have plenty of peace and quiet to think.” “What?” Seth asked in confusion.
Finn paused by the door and smiled back at him. “Did you honestly think the Aspects and other Divines would let your actions in Delvay slide? It’s time to pay the piper, Seth, and I’m not sure how long it will take me.”
“You could have simply given them me,” Seth stammered as he rose to his feet once more. “I acted without your permission and you didn’t have to claim the blame for this.”
“I didn’t have to,” Finn agreed with a nod. “But that’s what friends do, Seth, and you are more than simply a friend. You are family.”
Epilogue
Delvay
Neph settled back on his throne and stared at the empty room dismally. Two days had passed since Jala turned her back on him and he had yet to find motivation to do anything. The only true accomplishment he could claim was cleaning the dead from the city and that had been a simple matter of magic. The rest of the time he had spent in thought and nothing that had crossed his mind had been good. As far as he could tell, no matter what he did he was fucked. Even if he woke his people from stasis, there weren’t enough of them to hold the city when Rivasa attacked, and he knew they would soon. By now, rumors of the attack had surely reached the High Lord of Rivasa and he had to know how weak Delvay was once Merro returned home.
Muffled clatter from the courtyard beyond pulled him from his thoughts and Neph stiffened in his chair. That had been hooves, he was certain of it. Standing slowly, he moved to the door and braced himself for what was coming. He had known there would be an attack and the only thing he could do now was fight until he had nothing left to give. Closing his eyes, he summoned the memory of Jala’s face and seized the pain that rose in his chest for focus. Magic hummed through his veins and he pushed the doors open wide in front of him.
“I’d really appreciate it if you would release all of that magic.” Madren’s voice rose from the courtyard beyond.
“Madren?” Neph gasped in shock and the magic faded from his mind instantly. He couldn’t fathom a single thing that would bring the High Lord of Goswin to his door. In all the time he had known Madren, Neph had never once thought he would be happy to hear that voice, but he was.
“Thank you, Neph. I really didn’t want to be cooked in my armor,” Madren called in response and stepped slowly through the doorway into the inner city. He was armored in shining plate with a massive sword across his back and looked nothing like the fragile boy Neph remembered from the city.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Neph demanded, though there was no anger in his voice, only confusion.
“Protecting my ally,” Madren answered calmly and gazed around the empty hall curiously. His dark eyes found Neph once more and his expression softened. “Anthe saw what was coming, Neph, but I couldn’t say anything then. No one would have listened to me,” he explained and shrugged. “So I remained behind in Arovan and did what I could to ensure Jala had full support from those Lords so when the time came she wouldn’t need me. I knew I would be needed here.”
“Madren you don’t even like me, remember?” Neph pressed as he stared at the man in wonder.