Reclaiming Mystique (SpaceStalker Saga Book 2) (39 page)

“No, you don’t want that. You love Zebram, don’t you?” At Garen’s nod, Zedrax eased up on him. “As do I, Garen, as do I. This work we do here is ugly but necessary. One day you will understand these rough lessons I teach you.” The same lessons taught to him by his father, another casualty of the hated Fenturi.

Garen stared back at him, and Zedrax watched with fascination as a hot flash of hatred burned deep in those forest green eyes. Raw, wild, untamed. A strength inborn, though the child warred with the wrong side. Then he blinked, and those same green eyes dulled. Garen was once again a scared child, obediently chastised.

“May I go now, my king?” Garen asked in a low voice and bowed his head.

Zedrax nodded, a bit uneasy at his surrender. Then he shrugged off his disquiet, disturbed to have been worried about a mere child. He’d made his point today, better than he might have hoped.

The future protector of Bylar left the battle tent—calmly, as if Garen had not just witnessed the execution of his youngest cousin and last living Fenturi relative.