The Scarecrow (Master of Malice Book 1) by Cas Peace Page A

leaned forward expectantly. She gazed at him, her expression reassuring. “I can see why you were so … concerned. The Cleric Patrio says the body was not recovered.”
    Elias gripped the stem of his goblet to steady his hand and took a healthy swallow of brandy. “The runner who delivered the message told me the fisherman searched the seas for hours once Reen’s disappearance was discovered. But because of the blood they found—”
    “I would give much to have seen that blood,” Sullyan said. “I cannot understand why the Baron should throw himself into the sea if he had already slit his wrists. And how would he have the strength to climb the crags to where he is supposed to have jumped?”
    “Yes, exactly. You don’t think I’m foolish to have these feelings of … unease?”
    Sullyan gazed at her worried sovereign, her own expression serious. “No, Elias, I cannot think you are foolish. I confess I feel much the same way. If there was a body ….”
    “What do you think I should do?”
    “There is only one thing you can do. Send me to the island to speak with Patrio Ruvar and do what I can to satisfy you of the circumstances.”
    Elias’s eyes widened. “You’d do that?”
    She smiled. “I am in your service. I will do whatever you bid me.”
    The King ducked his head and she frowned. He still couldn’t get over her willingness to forgive and forget the shameful way he had behaved after his son had been abducted. In his eyes, he had forfeited all rights to her loyalty, thrown away any claim on her respect. She was a Princess in her own right, and a powerful Artesan. What right did he have to command her? Yet she had told him her Oath of Allegiance still bound her; she had never rescinded it and had no wish to. Her only desire was to serve her sovereign lord and he had no choice but to grant that wish. He would just have to bear the shame.
    “When will you go?” he asked.
    She didn’t miss the fact he had not given her an order. “I will return to the Manor tonight and discuss the matter with Mathias. I would not go alone, and Robin has duties at present. I need to arrange for Morgan’s care while I am away, but I will leave as soon as I may. I will inform Taran when I am ready.”
    She left him, knowing he would go to his rest feeling easier. If anyone could discover the truth, it was Sullyan.
    + + + + +
    T aran had been released from his duties for the day as soon as Sullyan had arrived. He was rarely needed in the evenings and spent most of his free time in the garrison with either Major Denny or Swordmaster Ardoch. Sometimes both. Tonight, however, he had another duty to perform, and it would likely prove both uncomfortable and painful.
    Yet Taran could not shirk this unpleasant duty, couldn’t wait for Jinella’s next visit to the castle; that would be cowardly in the extreme. And no matter how deeply he wished he didn’t have to be the bearer of these tidings, Taran Elijah was no coward.
    Or was he? He considered this as he mounted the beautiful blood-bay stallion that had been a gift from Elias and rode out of the torch-lit castle courtyard. His face burned as he realized how much time had passed since Sullyan had commanded him to talk with Jinny and tell her why he was preventing her from conceiving. He shouldn’t have put it off; he should have gone to her immediately and got it over with. Instead he had used the resumption of his Artesan duties as an excuse, and the fact he and Jinny saw significantly less of each other when he was actively engaged in Elias’s service only made the evasion easier.
    Yes , he berated himself as he passed the night guard at the gates and returned the man’s greeting, you have been cowardly . Well, now he had an unpleasant duty he couldn’t avoid. If he must do this—and he must—he would do the other at the same time. If Jinny was to be upset, he might as well upset her all at once. At least then he could be on hand to comfort her. If she still wanted