The Traitor A. Lombardo (best thriller novels to read TXT) 📖

“Rest, Kai,” Robert said, tossing aside his blanket and moving to Kai’s side. “you’ve only slept a few hours. I cannot imagine what you’ve been through these past few days.”

Fear gripped Kai’s gut. “I am sorry, Robert, I should not have come here; this was a mistake. Who else knows I am here?”

“You are safe here, Your Highness.” Robert rose to help Kai stand. “I carried you in myself to the guest room. No one knows you are here—I promise. Stay here, and I will get you food. You must be starving.” Robert left in a rush, allowing no time for Kai to respond.

In his solitude, Kai thought about the past several days. Every choice he had made weighed on his heart. How wished he had listened to Lucca and stayed in Katori; let nature take its course. At the time, he did not want to accept the truth of Iver’s fate. Now he was left with the memory of his hand wielding the blade.

After an hour, Kai began to worry Robert might turn him in or send for Diu soldiers. He put his hand on the doorknob and listened—silence. His history with the Henley family made his heart ache as he pondered the possibilities that this man would report him to the authorities without really hearing his story.

The handle twisted in his palm, and Kai backed away. Robert entered with a brown leather satchel. “Sorry Kai, I could not very well disappear with a tray of food at this hour without questions. As the lord of Henley, I have a duty to my citizens. I needed to see to several matters of state. I packed a bag in case you wanted to take provisions with you when you leave.”

There it was. Robert had not asked him to leave, but he did not intend on harboring him.  “Why are you helping me?” He looked to Robert for answers. “You were my father’s best friend, years ago, when he had friends. You should hate me, like so many others. Do you believe I murdered my father?”

Robert gulped, confirming that coming here was a mistake. He should not have involved the Henleys in his tragedy. Robert would be the last person to help him. He needed to leave. Before Kai could go, Robert touched his shoulder. “Why did you come here? What did you expect? I have only the news from Diu to believe, in addition to months of you lying to my son. Drew told me he was there when they sentenced you. You did not deny the charges. He said you were a broken man. Do you have anything to say?”

Images of his father and the blade flashed in Kai’s mind. Guilt twisted his insides. There were chances to avoid this fate, yet at every turn, Kai all but ran to his father’s bedside, blade in hand. Lucca, Sabastian, even Riome had warned him—but on some level, he thought he knew better. He thought that Alenga’s vision meant he could stop what was coming. A lump clogged Kai’s throat. “I am innocent,” he insisted. “I am not sure how to prove it, but I must try. If only I could find Iver’s body.”

Robert’s face contorted. “How will returning Iver support your case?”

“Whoever has Iver must know something. As they said, I was not alone in the King’s chamber. I only saw Nola and my father, but I did hear another person tell me to run. I believe Keegan was there, too. He broke me out of prison. The only explanation I have is he was there and knows the truth. Or one of his people know. Either way, I need to find Iver’s body and the person who was in that room.”

“Keegan? The man who attacked Diu and possibly Port Anahita?” Robert looked confused. “Why would he care about rescuing you from prison?”

The truth was a closely guarded secret, but he had to be honest. “Only a few know the truth,” Kai explained. “Keegan is my real father. My father—Iver, admitted it to me and the Master General years ago. When Iver married my mother, he knew she was pregnant. Iver promised to raise me as his own to hide me from Keegan.”

The room fell silent, and both contemplated the implications. Robert’s softened expression gave Kai hope he had made a dent. Maybe he stood a chance of convincing the others. There was more to Iver’s death than anyone knew.

Then something occurred to him. He thought back to his trial and tried to recall the faces in the crowd. “You mentioned Drew was in Diu during my sentencing. I do not remember seeing him.”

“Well, you were severely beaten, according to Drew. Your eyes were swollen shut, little more than a slit. Not sure you saw much of anything.” Robert studied Kai’s face and body. “Come to think of it, considering this was two days ago, you look unscathed for a man beaten half to death.”

There was no real explanation, at least not one Robert would believe. “Keegan has healers,” Kai was all he said. The lie tasted bitter in his mouth; one he could not bring himself to finish. He began to feel like a caged animal. “Can we get some air?”

Robert searched the hallway while Kai waited alone. Thoughts of betrayal made him hold his breath. When the door swung open, Robert motioned for him to follow. They moved down the corridor to the spiral wooden staircase. Robert paused only a moment before descending, ensuring they continued without detection. Kai took the coat Robert offered. Out a small door, Robert led him into a simple garden.

The crisp air kissed Kai’s face. His footprints were the first to leave their mark in the undisturbed snow. “Thank you, Robert.” His breath floated away on the breeze. “Where is Drew, if I may