Chapter 8 - Truth

The Morretti Castle - King Kade's Chambers: General Greyson

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"They suspect you." I murmured. Kade looked calm, but I knew him well enough to know that beneath his calm there brewed a storm.

The first murder in this castle would not be the last. And I feared that Kade would eventually be pushed to take a life as well. I had grown up training under his watchful eyes, and I had fought wars beside him. I had seen all his victories and his shortcomings.

One thing was certain, he was a patient and understanding creature.

But I had seen the way his brother changed him. It was like a light flickered off behind his eyes and darkness seeped from his pores whenever King Alexander was in his presence. His countenance was cold when his brother was near.

He had never told me why. Why they chased each other to all the known edges of the world, why they raged against one another. It was the only truth about Kade I had yet to discover.

His hand on my shoulder drew me from my well of thoughts. No matter how many times I looked into his eyes, I was surprised each time by how clear and hypnotizing they were.

"There will always be something that Alexander blames me for. As long as we live, I will always be the darkness he needs to eradicate."

Kade looked away from me and mused, "And perhaps he isn't so wrong about me."

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In light of the recent incident, I instinctually began to cling to Kade. For his protection and even if I would not say it to him, for my own protection as well. It made me feel as though we had been transported back in time to when I was a child and Kade had been my shelter wherever we traveled. I would touch his clothes any way I could to feel comfort.

He would treat the act with a nonchalance that I appreciated, he spared my pride even at a young age.

Even now, as his General, he disregarded the way I discreetly brushed the back of my hand against his coat. The sound and familiarity of his clothes kept me sane as we patrolled the halls of the castle along with the rest of the guards. The moon was waning outside, dim rays of light infiltrating the castle from the large windows we passed.

The sound of a distant echo in a hall deep within the castle made me flinch.

Kade glanced at me, "What have I told you about being scared in my presence Greyson?"

I let out a breath, feeling small. "Not to be sire."

"And why is that?"

My reply was instantaneous, "You will protect me."

I saw a hint of a smile on his face before he nodded silently and simply looked ahead once again. Our silence lasted until dawn when the human guards retired back to their quarters after the uneventful evening.

But the day brought only more unrest within me. The human King requested our presence in the grand hall once again.

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Kade was tense beside me as his brother discussed security matters with the human king. He stared blankly ahead of us, at nothing.

My hands were fisted at my sides and I risked a glance at the Princess who sat beside her father as she did the day before. Her inquisitive eyes scanned my visage and she looked away as if she had gotten an answer to an unspoken question.

She must feel the tension as well. The palpable tension between Kade and Alexander that wafted into every room with them. It was elevated by the wind of silent accusation from Alexander. He believed that Kade had murdered someone without cause. Or to catapult them into a new war.

It was not new, Alexanders sometimes nonsensical distrust towards Kade. I had grown up witnessing the flame of their feud being fanned by distrust.

I myself had no siblings or family until Kade took me in. But still, I could not imagine a sin so great that two brothers would not dare congregate with one another in peace.

Every so often, I risked being scolded or ignored when I asked Kade to tell me why his brother hated him with such passion. It seemed to be the one thing I would never know until I was killed in battle or died by some supernatural phenomenon.

The unofficial meeting with the King ended abruptly when suddenly a guard rushed into the hall.

"Another body was found. Inside the castle."

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The smell inside the servants quarters was alarming. My senses were overwhelmed by the stench of charred skin and boiled blood. I had seen plenty of horrors, but the sight of the mangled human body was ghastly.

Kade stood undisturbed beside me, his face stoic as he stared inspectively down at the body.

"Ivan, go outside, keep the Princess with you." Alexander ordered his associate.

I peered at Ivan as he turned to leave and raised an eyebrow. He gave me a deadly stare in return.

King Oliver looked appalled by the sight of the corpse, but he spoke in a steady tone, "It seems the cause of death is the same as the first victim." He took a step back and looked away.

Alexander glanced at Kade again. His eyes trailing from his face to his hands, his eyes flitted to mine and I did not look away. He was surprised by my audacity.

A hand gripped onto my shoulder and I heard Kade excuse us distantly, blood rushed in my ears. I reluctantly let him lead me out of the room.

"Do not ever try to defend me against him."

His voice was cold, biting.

In a sudden rush of bravery, I halted in my steps and looked at his back defiantly, "He blatantly disrespect your person by accusing you of murder and I vowed to protect you for as long as I live. I can not go back on my word."

Kade did not turn to look at me when he spoke, "You do not know the truth. You are not certain of my innocence. Leave it be Greyson."

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