Page 102 of Bargain with Fate
A puzzle piece slid into place. Vale once mentioned he was in Marrakesh when his brother died, and he was forced to claim the seat in Savannah.
“Is that why you were there? You were searching for the sword?”
“Many people were hunting for the sword. I managed to find it first.”
“I’m surprised one of your brothers didn’t have it in their possession.”
“One of them did, until the sword turned against him. Once it refused his commands, he abandoned it.”
“Why did it turn against him?”
“Because he broke an oath. Mesharu remembers every oath sworn in its presence and will turn against any bearer who breaks their word.”
“Is it true you can use the sword to walk between realms?”
“For a price, yes.”
“What’s the price?”
“A memory.”
Wouldn’t be so bad if you could choose the memory. “May I see it?”
“I didn’t realize you had such an interest in enchanted swords.”
“Not all of them, but Mesharu holds a special place in my heart.”
“And here I thought you found my father abhorrent.”
“Your father was a monster, but his sword…From what I’ve learned, it’s a thing of power and beauty.”
His gaze lingered on me. “Yes, it certainly is.”
As much as I wanted to flee the mainland and return to the safety of Evermore, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see the famous sword. “Will you show me?”
“Not today,” he said.
“That’s what you tell a child when the answer is no.”
“Would it make you feel better if I said no?”
“What’s the problem? You don’t trust me?”
“It isn’t about you, Maya. The sword is dangerous. I didn’t hunt it down so I could use it. I hunted it down so I could hide it.”
“Then why didn’t you lie when I asked about it? You could’ve just said you had no idea where it was, and I would’ve believed you.”
My response seemed to have stumped him. He scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I guess I should’ve done that.”
I laughed. “I’m no genius, but maybe you shouldn’t be the one in charge of hiding the sword if you’re going to be so quick to acknowledge possession.”
“It isn’t like I’m walking up to people on the streets and telling them. You and I were having a civil conversation for once. I was going with the flow.”
I stared at him. “Going with the flow? Since when?”
“Since I met you, it seems.”
“I should get back to Evermore.”
