From Darkness Won Read Online Free PDF Page B

Gren’s hand now. Yet it was far too late for that.
    Gren broached the subject herself. “You’re engaged to Lady Averella Amal.” She reached out and touched the bell edge of the maroon sleeve tied to his arm.
    “Aye,” Achan said. “Though I’ve never met her.”
    “Me either.” Gren giggled. “As if the heir to Carm would be introduced to a peasant. But I never even saw her.”
    An awkward silence descended. Gren stood between Achan and the table and chairs. A footstool sat under the window. Would she think to ask him to sit? He scoured his mind for something to say. “Have you heard from Noam?”
    She leaned back against the table. “Not since before I was arrested.”
    The memory of Gren in the Sitna cell filled his mind. “Gren, I’m sorry about this, about everything.”
    She waved her hand about. “None of it was your fault.”
    He glanced over her black dress. “It’s because of me that Riga is dead.”
    This sobered Gren. “I do regret that, for Riga wasn’t as bad a husband as I feared.”
    “You cared for him, then?”
    “I didn’t hate him, though it’s a horrible thing to be married off against your will.” Her eyes widened. “Oh! For a girl, anyway. I’m sure it’ll be different for you.”
    Achan lowered himself to the stool under the window. A familiar sensation filled his mind. This very spot was where Bran had been sitting when Achan had looked in on Gren during Sir Gavin’s lesson. He shook off the strange memory. “All I ever wanted in life was to be a free man, Gren. But it seems I’ve only exchanged one set of chains for another.”
    “But you’ll be king, Achan. King of all Er’Rets.”
    He scoffed. “Being a king is not as pleasant as one may think. I never wished for finery and jewels, though I do like the food. You would think I’m free, but I dare not make a decision without consulting my advisors. I had to all but sneak away to have this moment to myself.” He sighed. “I am glad to know who I am—who my parents were. But I’d rather not be king.” Guilt nagged at everything so many had sacrificed to get him here. “Don’t tell anyone.”
    Gren lunged to the floor beside him, kneeling at his feet. “Oh, Achan. Why have the gods been cruel to us? If only I’d listened to you, we might be living in the forest in that cottage you wanted to build. This might be your child I carry. We could’ve—”
    “Let’s not dwell on what was lost.” Achan stroked her curls. “I must marry a noblewoman. My advisors chose Lady Averella, and Duchess Amal has given her consent. That’s my lot now.” He helped her into a chair. “The old Achan would have fled such chains, but the new Achan cannot. For if I were to be so selfish, all Er’Rets would suffer.”
    Gren smiled. “You’re the best of men, Achan.”
    “’Tis kind of you to say so, Gren, with all I’ve put you through.”
    “You’ve done nothing.”
    “Your entire family uprooted, your husband killed, you in a cell—and only because Esek wanted to punish me.”
    “It’s Lord Nathak I blame,” Gren said. “And don’t you blame another. He alone is at fault.”
    Achan cupped Gren’s cheek in his right hand. “Do you care for Bran Rennan?”
    She sucked in a sharp breath, eyes bulging.
    He smirked. “Do not be frightened, Grenny. I only wish to see you happy.”
    A soft laugh wisped through her lips. “Isn’t it ironic that you’ll marry Bran’s former love and that I might…” She sucked in a long, shaky breath. “You think there’s a chance he’d have me? I’m far below his class. My virtue is gone. I don’t think a man like him would choose a widowed peasant, yet I’m certain he cares a little. I see it in his eyes.”
    Achan almost laughed at Gren’s babbling. “He asked for my blessing, Gren. Does that please you?”
    She clapped her free hand over her mouth and squeezed her eyes closed. This didn’t stop the tears from leaking past her eyelids and trickling down her