Free Treason: Book Two of the Grimoire Saga (a Young Adult Fantasy series) by S.M. Boyce Page B

proof of that. You’re greedier than ever, hung up on revenge and the vain hope that an old book will solve your problems!”
    “No, not the book. Its master,” Gavin snapped. His jaw tensed, and he closed his mouth, but it was too late. He had evidently said too much.
    “Is that part of what you planned to tell me when we returned home? You’re going to use Kara? You’ve already tried, Gavin. That didn’t work.”
    “Please, just trust me,” Gavin said softly. He stared at the floor, shoulders bent as if he hadn’t slept in ages.
    “No.”
    The only person in the world Braeden could trust was Kara. She knew the truth, and he had begun to care for her in a way he never thought possible.
    Gavin fell back into his seat and rubbed his eyes.
    “Braeden, you used to spar with me before the Vagabond reappeared. You and I would hunt, talk about strategy and war and philosophy and women and love. You’ve never believed in love, but I can see that you are falling for Kara. You’re almost always out hunting, but when you are home, you’re not mentally with us. You’re thinking of her, always. I know it. I see it. I understand it, I do. She’s beautiful. But you can’t lose yourself to her. She doesn’t want you. She’s using you. She needed a bodyguard, and she took it too far. Just look—”
    “ENOUGH!”
    Braeden’s tone startled even him. Rage pumped through him: the aftermath of nearly losing control. Twelve years of denying his royal heritage had surfaced in that one word. For the first time in his life, he’d spoken like the Heir he was.
    It was a miracle he hadn’t shifted into his natural form.
    “You will never speak to me like that again,” Gavin said in an even tone.
    “You may be the Blood, but I am still your brother. You cannot treat me as less than that.”
    Gavin frowned and leaned back in his chair. “Brothers. Yes, let’s discuss that. When we were growing up, I always thought of you as a brother. I shared everything with you, trusted you. I could have treated you like an orphan, Braeden. I could have wondered why my parents would adopt a child when any family in Hillside would have taken you with a single request from Mother. Why did she choose you? I never asked. I never cared. So yes, Braeden, until the Vagabond lured you away, you were my brother. I wish you would remember yourself.”
    Braeden shut down. It was all he could do to keep from screaming, from shifting and telling the arrogant Blood the truth. His face hardened, and all he could do was examine Gavin with an icy stare that was neither interested nor hateful.
    “You’re the one who has lost his way, Gavin. Not me.”
    Gavin set his fingers against one another and leaned his hands against his face. He stared at Braeden as if he was dissecting something, or maybe trying to piece together some greater puzzle.
    “I just want my brother back,” the king said.
    “Then stop trying to control me.”
    Braeden tensed. He’d said try. Gavin, however, continued without a moment’s hesitation. Braeden suppressed a sigh of relief.
    “I don’t want to control you, Braeden. I’m trying to help you. The Vagabond is a weapon, and she knows that. She has to be playing you.”
    “She’s not.”
    “How could you possibly know that?” Gavin asked.
    Braeden didn’t answer.
    “I want to fix this, Braeden. I want you to have faith in me again. I don’t even know when I lost your trust, but I am right about this whether you like it or not. If time is what it takes for you to see the truth, so be it. I will not remove my order. You are not to see Kara in private. I hope you will someday understand why. For now, though, we must head down to the ceremony.”
    Gavin got to his feet and walked around the desk, but Braeden stood in the doorway as he approached. Braeden wanted to remain, to make the king walk around him, but he knew what would happen. Gavin would likely issue a wordless command to move. If Braeden didn’t obey, the last