The Gifted

Chapter Nineteen: Questions

My body tipped forward without my consent and I felt warm hands go around me. My head hit a hard chest and I looked up at Trystan. He lowered both of us to sit on the floor, waiting for my dizzy spell to end. The dagger I had held in my hands till now finally slipped with a clang to the wooden floor.

"How?"

"Like I said, I don't have all the details but I do know that certain Gifted will be spared. Loyal and useful ones for the King for instance. That's why my name will protect you from all of this." I knew what he was saying. Marrying someone as loyal as Trystan would show, to a certain extent, I was loyal as well. Or at least, my supposed love for him would keep me loyal.

"How long have you known about this?", I asked although I was scared for the answer.

There was a slight pause as if he was debating on even answering. "I found out right after the rebels infiltrated the castle. That's why-," a pained expression crossed his face and I winced knowing where this was going, "that's why I did what I did that day. You were on the King's list, Evelyn. If I didn't do something you would have been killed so I made a deal with them. I was to get any information from you I could, then hopefully, as someone you trusted, get you to follow orders. If I could do that, then they would spare you."

Trystan shook his head, "But your reaction to the potential killing of the rebels changed their minds. They think of you as a dangerous sympathizer."

My stomach tightened. Unfortunately, what Trystan was telling me made sense. However, while I could see the King being behind something so horrendous I never thought Father would. What did the King grant him to allow his own daughter to be murdered? I know we were never close. I know that, but still.

At least I had my answer regarding Trystan's actions. Even if the approach was wrong, he did it to protect me. However, this answered question just leads to more unanswered ones. Did the King know about some of the gifted I helped? Or was the night Flint arrived truly my undoing?

Trystan stood up and offered me his hand interrupting my thoughts, "Come on."

I stared at the hand in front of me. If I married Trystan, I would be safe from a madman and his council. I could see Clara and Helen again. But at what price? I would be forced to live knowing I let thousands die without even lifting a finger. I didn't wish for that life. I had to try something. Anything. To do that I would have to do the exact thing I had been avoiding. I would need to officially join the rebellion.

The King put me on his list because he perceived me as a threat. Then a threat, I shall become.

I stood on my own, not taking Trystan's hand. "I can't marry you, Trystan. Our marriage would not guarantee my safety and it would only put yourself at risk."

Reaching to the floor, I picked up the dagger Flint had given me. I was just about to head to the door when Trystan grabbed my arm. I looked at him. My face was neutral but inside I was silently begging him to not make this any more difficult and painful than it needed to be. "Evelyn, please reconsider. Not just for me. Did you forget about the trackers? You can't just decide these things on your-"

"Actually, she can."

I gasped and whirled to the man now leaning on the open doorway. Trystan stiffened and pulled me to stand behind him. I rolled my eyes at his protectiveness, "Oh for the gods' sake, Trystan, it's just Flint."

Flint walked into the room, shutting the once locked door behind him. Within the span of a few steps, he was face to face with Trsytan. The two men stared at each other for a moment, as if having a silent conversation of brawn.