Free Well of Tears (Empath Book 3) by Dawn Peers

their retinues. When it was clear that Sammah
was in charge, father immediately had a messenger bird sent out to
Sha’sek. When we got word that you might be heading back here, he
sent me and Harn to Port Kahnel. He said we would stay there for as
long as it took, for you to either come back, or a messenger bird
signalling your death arrived with us. That’s how certain he was.
He knew you’d come back to us, or you’d die for our cause.”
    Eden resisted the urge to tell his brother
that he had almost died on the crossing back. River hadn’t
asked about his bruises. River never would. Bruises were normal
amongst the sons of Shiver.
    “What actually happened in Everfell?”
    River hesitated. “ I still
don ’t know, Eden. It was so confusing, and like I said, it
happened so quickly. The king told us, Rowan and me, that the trial
for our father and the baron was being delayed. He didn’t tell us
why, just that it was. We thought it had something to do with
you—with the girl. Rowan started asking questions, and went to
challenge Sammah about it. That same night, Sammah just…walked out
of his cell.”
    “Walked out?”
    River nodded. “Walked out. There was no blood, no fighting. Not at first, anyway.
Vance declared that he’d been wrong—that Sammah had been innocent,
and Shiver was the criminal. That’s when everything went to hell.
Rowan, Calvin, and Venn fought to get Shiver out of the cells. We
barely got out of there with our lives. It was only because so many
men held loyal, and the guards in Everfell didn’t know what was
happening, either. Father claimed that Sammah had done it with
treachery, with someone gifted, from Sha’sek. But Quinn wasn’t
there anymore, and no one knew who else could do it.”
    “And you all ran?”
    River nodded. “We
did. Father didn’t want to go, not straight away. He wanted to find
Sammah and kill him there and then. He said he should have been
allowed to, and Vance had stopped him from doing that during the
wars, and caused all this mess anyway. The other lords had
overruled him, and he wasn’t king, not yet.”
    “But then they voted him?”
    “When everything settled down, and it became
clear what was happening, yes.”
    “But all along my father believed in me? What
Harn is saying then, about him disinheriting me—is that true?”
    River started picking at his fingernails,
which were already immaculate. “That bit is true.”
    “Do you have an intended now, then?”
    “I’m betrothed, yes. Father set up my match,
and promised that it could wait, as long as I brought you back
here. We’ve received word that Rowan is already married.”
    “Already? That…wow. That didn’t take
long.”
    “Father is worried about the stability of the
kingdom. I think he was even disappointed when none of us turned up
any bastard children as potential heirs. Either way, he’s after
grandchildren now, so be warned. Oh…I’m sorry.”
    River had glanced at Quinn, who was keeping
her face deliberately blank. “It’s okay. Don’t worry, your
highness. It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”
    “Please, call me River. Any friend of my
brother’ s doesn ’t need to show me any
airs and graces.”
    “Thank you, River.”
    Quinn liked this misunderstood prince. He
reminded her of the way Maertn had been before leaving Everfell. He
reminded her of herself when she had been a maid.
    “So, who are the lucky ladies?”
    “I’m marrying the Lady Tanya of Kahnel.”
    “Tanya…Calvin’s eldest? That’s a fine match,
especially for a second son. You’ll be second in line to
inherit.”
    “I never wanted to be in line to inherit
anywhere, never mind two provinces I despise,” River said miserably. “I was looking forward to my
quiet life living hidden in Rowan’s shadow, obscured by your fame.
No one was meant to remember Lord River of Sevenspells. Now I’m a
prince, and worth marrying off to eldest daughters. I never wanted
any of this, Eden. Why don’t we get