Read Online Exile's Return (Book 1) by Kate Jacoby - Free Book Online Page A

swiftly and pointed a finger directly at Finnlay’s chest. ‘Not one word, brother. Take this as clear warning – not one, single, solitary word. For once in your life, have the sense to know when to leave something well alone.’
    Taken aback, Finnlay spread his arms, the image of innocence. ‘I wasn’t going to say anything, Robert, honest.’
    ‘I’m going to say this just once, brother, so listen very carefully. I have not come back to Lusara to return to court – or to join the Enclave. I don’t know what Seaton and Blair are up to and I don’t want to know. If you wish to get involved, then that’s your problem. But I will not now, nor ever, become involved in it all again. I’m going home and I intend to stay there. If you can’t live with that, then I suggest you think about taking up permanent residence at the Enclave – or learn to keep your mouth shut. I suspect the former is more likely than the latter. Any questions?’
    Finnlay let out the breath he’d been holding and did his best to meet Robert’s gaze. ‘Just one. Why?’
    For a second, he actually thought Robert might answer but instead, his brother burst out laughing. ‘Why? Is that all? Is that the best you can do? Oh, Finnlay, really.’
    As Robert turned away, Finnlay pursued him. ‘It may be a lame question but I still want an answer. Why? Why did you go? Why come back and why are you determined to turn your back on everything you care about?’
    ‘But you said I cared about nothing,’ Robert replied offhandedly, reaching up to unsaddle his horse.
    ‘By the gods, Robert – just answer the damn question! Why?’
    ‘You don’t really want to know. You’re just hoping that in my reasons you’ll find something you can use to change my mind about the Enclave.’ He paused and turned around to face Finnlay properly. There should have been disdain in his eyes but there was nothing – not even patience. Just a dead, flat and unbroken façade. When he spoke again it was into a cold silence.
    ‘Trust me, Finn, it doesn’t matter. Not only do I not want to Stand the Circle – but I cannot. I had hoped you’d understand that by now. You, the Enclave and indeed the whole country will have to learn to get along without me. Believe me, it’s better this way. And it’s better too, that you even forget that I am a sorcerer.’
    So there it was. The declaration. Even as the words were spoken, Finnlay felt the finality behind them, like a wall of stone for ever separating them. There was a bitter taste in his mouth, of disappointment and futility. All the hopes he’d held for the past few days drained away from him and he felt empty and cold. Robert may have returned to Lusara, but this return was a greater rejection than his exile had ever been.
    Finnlay couldn’t look at him any more. He was afraid to. Instead, he turned back to his horse, words of acceptance on his lips. But he never got to say them. At that moment Micah moved, his voice hushed.
    ‘My lord?’
    As Finnlay looked up, Micah pointed towards the forest, his face stern with warning. ‘Someone’s coming.’

3
    Micah heard the horse coming towards them at a stumbling gallop, but he couldn’t see anything through the pitch black forest. And there was another sound too, one further behind—
    ‘A chase,’ he murmured. ‘Your uncle?’
    Robert turned swiftly. ‘No. Something else. Get the horses back from the water.’
    Seconds later a horse crashed through the undergrowth and pounded across the stream, sending sheets of water into the air. On seeing them the animal reared, but its rider fought and won control. Without hesitating, Micah stepped forward and grabbed hold of the bridle while a voice above him gasped out, ‘Please help me! Robbers … chasing me. Please … need to hide.’
    Instantly, Robert moved. ‘Come down off there. Micah, help her up that tree. Quickly!’
    The girl jumped down. Micah lifted her on to the lower branch and stepped back. She