#trynewn

[lizzybugg]

An Assassin’s Vow things that are canon!

Tal hates sand.

Tal says the first thing out of his mouth, usually resulting in attempts on his life.

He loves to mess with people.

Devan drags Tal on potentially life-threatening adventures because he’s bored and wants Tal to have a good time with him.

Devan is Tal’s babysitter when he wants to act responsible.

Tal can dance really well.

Chesed has secret admirers that send him letters.

Trynewn is the equivalent of an exhausted dad.

Aubrie picks on Tal because she has a crush on him.

Tal is so dense that he doesn’t realize she likes him.

[lizzybuggandherincorrectquotes]

Devan: What’s your biggest fear?

Trynewn: Abandonment

Aubrie: Helplessness

Kalvir: Dying

Tal: Mine is the Kool-Aid man, but I feel stupid about it now.

[lizzybuggandherincorrectquotes]

Tal: It’s over, we won.

*an enemy behind Tal slowly stands back up*

Devan:

Aubrie:

Trynewn:

Kalvir: *starts to point*

Tal: No, no. We won. I’m not turning around and looking at it, it’s over. We won.

[lizzybugg]

An Assassin’s Vow Epilogue

A/N: This is the epilogue to WIP An Assassin’s Vow. It is a prequel novel to my first book, Beloved. This doesn’t spoil anything too major for the book! Please leave your feedback! I could really use it. Also: i haven’t edited this yet.

Tal had never seen his friend so tense before. Even with everything that happened between him and Chesed, Devan had been upset, yes, but never tense and on edge. He’d been this way ever since he’d gone to retrieve his bride and had returned to the castle alone. When Tal asked what had happened, Devan had simply said that she hadn’t been there.

When the prince suggested a camping trip a few months later, Tal had readily agreed—along with Kalvir and Trynewn. Their two newest members—Jasper and Eric—had hesitantly complied. And that was how they now found themselves in that horrid forest again. Though, for Tal, it wasn’t quite as terrifying as he recalled.

Tal rounded the wagon, smiling when he saw Jasper and Eric playfully wrestling over who would get to ride in the wagon with the supplies. The knight joined in the fray, needing a distraction from his worrisome thoughts. He grabbed a hold of Jasper who shouted in protest while Eric doubled over, laughing. It was a running joke to pick on the newest member—and that just so happened to Jasper, who joined six months after Eric did.

Jasper shoved Tal off just as Devan walked out from behind the wagon, a tight smile on his face. Tal brushed some dust off his midnight blue cape, Jasper and Eric wearing matching ones. Before Tal could say anything to Devan, the prince had him caught in a headlock. Tal grunted, fighting against the prince. Devan’s hold tightened on the knight, and Tal knew there would be no getting out of this one.

Devan chuckled. “Yield, Tal. You’re not getting out of this one.”

Tal tried again to escape, grunting with the effort. “Not this again…” he muttered, glaring at his dust-covered boots while trying to loosen Devan’s arm. “You’ve been doing this to me since we were seven. You and your stupid human strength.” It was partially true. There had been moments of their childhood where Devan had done this to him before. And though ten years had passed before they saw one another again, Devan acted as if those years apart had never existed. Tal paused, straining against Devan’s hold, scowling. Finally, he stilled and released a huff. “I yield.”

Devan laughed, ruffling Tal’s dark locks, releasing him. “Perhaps one-on-one is a little unfair.”

Tal straightened, scowling at his best friend while attempting to fix his hair. “Jerk…”

Devan chuckled, shaking his head. Tal knew that Devan’s smile was a forced one, and he could only begin to guess and imagine the pain that his friend was feeling. Tal shifted his attention to the newly appointed captain—Trynewn—as he approached them, golden armor clanging as he walked. 

He bowed to the prince. “Your Majesty, Kalvir located your horse.”

Tal’s brows launched upward in surprise. It’d been months since Skai had been seen. Devan had admitted to Tal that he’d allowed his bride to take his horse when she left. And if Skai had been found, surely that meant there was a good sign that the girl was nearby. Tal knew that Devan was thinking the same thing as he approached the white stallion, wrapping his arms around the creature’s neck. “Skai? What happened?”

The horse snorted, flattening his ears. “I… I cannot bring myself to say.”

Devan nodded, and Tal sensed a shift in the prince, something akin to fierce protection surging to the surface. Tal stepped back a step at the sheer intensity of it before steeling himself as Devan put a lid on the bubbling power. 

“Where is she?”

Skai hung his head. “Devan—”

“Where,” Devan practically begged, “is she? Please, Skai.”

Skai sighed. “She’s here.” He lifted his head to look at a spot behind some bushes. Tal and Devan followed the horse’s gaze. The knight was just able to make out terrified green eyes and red hair.

“Carina…” Devan whispered.

The girl sprang to her feet, whirling around in her white gown as she raced away deeper into the forest. Tal tensed, ready to go after her at the prince’s command. Devan acted quickly, swinging himself up onto the horse, chasing after the girl. Tal and the others followed, gaining on the runaway bride. 

They jumped over rocks, logs, and roots, greenery flying by. The girl stumbled, her shoes struggling to keep her up in this environment. Devan and Skai reached her first, scooping her up onto the horse with ease. Tal and the others slowed, eyeing the girl as she sat, trembling, atop Devan’s horse, the prince’s arm wrapped securely around her. 

“You may all return to camp,” Devan ordered, the authority in his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

Tal looked at Devan, a questioning look on his face. A silent question passed between them, Tal wanting to know if his friend desired for him to stay close. Devan discreetly shook his head, turning Skai away from Tal and the others. Tal bowed and returned to camp.

* * *

Tal slowly approached the prince and his bride, not wanting to interrupt their conversation. He bowed to the prince, noting the young woman’s disheveled and dirty state, though he was more concerned with her well-being than her appearance.

“The others are awaiting your orders, my Prince,” Tal said, glancing at Devan’s bride for only a brief moment before shifting his gaze back to his friend. “Trynewn believes we will reach Castlecairn in three days. Maybe five if there are any setbacks.”

Devan nodded, gesturing for Carina to step forward; she complied, taking small steps. “Carina, my love, this is Tal, my oldest friend.”

Tal was a little taken aback by the gentleness in Devan’s voice and the love and adoration he held in his eyes when he looked at the red-headed woman. He’d never heard or seen Devan behave like this before. Tal thought back to their conversation by the Fire of Tredia, and the way Devan had stared at the flames with both surprise and love. Then he recalled the sketches Devan would make in a journal he’d once owned of a girl with very similar features to the young woman standing before him now.

Tal watched, amused, as Carina’s cheeks took on a shade of red and offered Tal a curtsey. 

“Hello…”The knight bowed. “My lady, it is wonderful to finally meet you.”

Tal caught the look of pride in Devan’s eyes as he gazed at Carina. The corner of Tal’s mouth twitched upward, overly happy for his friend. 

“Tal was assigned to be your personal guard,” Devan explained to his bride. “Especially when I am unable to be by your side.”

A sense of pride warmed Tal’s chest and he stood a little straighter. He was pleased to know that Devan trusted him to protect Carina—the most precious thing in the world to the prince of Tredia. And it was Tal’s sole duty to keep her safe.

Carina frowned, brows drawing together. “Guard?”

Tal’s lips pulled into a gentle smile. “You are the prince’s bride. That makes you a valuable target. And Prince Devan is insistent on nothing happening to you.”

He didn’t miss the way her eyes flitted away from his for only a brief millisecond or the way her jaw tightened in a way that suggested pain or guilt. Tal knew that feeling all too well.

A stiff smile played across her lips. “Well… I’m sure having you as my guard will make me much safer.”

Tal couldn’t stop himself from returning the smile. “If you need me, just call.”

Devan handed the reins over to Tal who took them without a word, leading the horse away. “Oh, sure…” the horse snorted, somehow managing to roll his eyes as Devan led Carina toward his tent. “He gets his bride and suddenly I’m forgotten.” Tal missed what Devan said next, too busy trying not to laugh out loud at the horse’s outburst and ultimately failed when the horse suddenly shouted, “I heard that!”

Tal laughed, throwing his head back. He watched Devan guide Carina into the tent, thoughts churning. Now that Devan’s bride was actually here, Tal’s new role was to begin. And he refused to fail this time. He would protect his future queen with his dying breath. She was, after all, his brother’s bride. And that made her family.