The Uncanny Aviator by Jenya Keefe

Author:Jenya Keefe [Keefe, Jenya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Published: 2024-06-01T18:30:00+00:00

“I can’t believe he would do it,” sobbed Kell. “I can’t believe it.”

Cay held her tightly, letting her cry onto his shoulder.

He had climbed up to her dormitory room last night. If it was against the rules for him to be here after dusk, it was absolutely forbidden to stay here overnight; but of course, he’d had to come here. Kell’s roommate had tactfully taken herself elsewhere, and Cay had sat on her bed and told Kell everything.

In a way, it was like when they were children when he and Kell had shared a room. When small Kell would crawl into bed with him, and he’d tell her stories until she slept.

She’d taken the news calmly. She’d approached the problem of what they were to do next with composure and logic, helping him to see what paths were open to them. Only now, as the small high window grew pale with dawn, did she break down.

“I trusted him. I liked him. I liked having another brother.”

“I know. Forgive me. I’m so sorry.”

She shook her head. She was red and puffy, her face streaked with tears. “It’s not your fault. He betrayed your trust too. I just— How could he?”

Cay shook his head mutely.

“I knew you were having problems.”

“Did you?”

“You can’t hide anything from me. But I didn’t think . . . I remember how hard he tried to get you to marry him. I know you didn’t give in easily. How could it have all changed? Didn’t he ever love us at all?”

Of course he did. But Cay didn’t say it. He didn’t know anymore, and Kell deserved better than comforting lies. They would face the future together, with nothing but truth between them. They belonged to each other, always bonded by love, trust, and a long-standing partnership of defiance against their father. Loyalty to each other, in spite of those who would try to divide them, was the bedrock of both of their lives.

Someone pounded on the door, and they both startled.

“Ugh, I’ll bet that’s him now,” grumbled Kell. She crawled out of bed, kneeing Cay in the kidney. She scooped a robe off the floor and pulled it around her as she padded across the small room. With a sense of dread, Cay wrapped his arms around his knees and stayed in bed as his sister threw open the door.

It was Adrio, of course. Adrio, damp and harried and annoyed. Lirano must have discovered Cay’s escape and sent him word. And here he was, come to fetch his prisoner home again. Adrio blinked at Kell’s swollen eyes and bare feet and then looked over her shoulder at Cay, wrapped in blankets, sitting up in her bed. His lips tightened with some emotion—anger or frustration.

Adrio was about to speak, and Cay braced for whatever he was about to say. Then Kell slapped Adrio across the face so hard the sound reverberated through the room, and Adrio fell back against the wall, probably more in astonishment than pain.

“I thought you were my family!”

Adrio, pressing a palm to his face, gaped at her.

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