Chapter 6 Part 5: The letter

Papers crinkled as Jun sat down at his desk, shifting the items to the side. Mei’s absence as she helped the Kasai members and addressed their training left him alone in the room. With a simple flick, he retrieved the sealed letter that Kallum had given and set it on the desk. Grabbing a carving tool, he broke the seal and settled back in his seat.

What does she want this time? He glanced over the letter and clicked his tongue. The Matriarch's handwriting decorated the page.

To Jun,

You always were dramatic, just like my sister. I should have known this entire charade—the island, the training, the injuries—was merely a desperate plea for attention.

Jun paused, eyes closing as a sigh escaped his lips. She always reduced real suffering to drama. He continued.

I must admit, your little victory over my initial agents was a clever tactic. Good to see you finally putting that Jinshari cunning to use, though you still lack your mother’s flair for cruelty. But a child must learn the difference between tearing down a house and merely sweeping the dust. You have only swept the dust.

Jun’s hand clenched, crinkling the paper ever so slightly.

"A child?" he mumbled, his hand clenching the paper further. "I just saved two people you tried to murder." His next thought rang in his head: You think so little of what I do, and yet your spies are still here. His gaze shifted to the window, not seeing the spies though he sensed their presence. He took the moment to calm himself. This was a provocation. She wanted him riled. He contemplated stopping, but perhaps he could glean something from this, some tidbit of information that she happened to place in his hands that his own information network hadn’t figured out.

Tell me, my dear boy, what exactly do you think you accomplished? You are two people—a blind fiancé and broken boy—against a destiny that controls nations. Did you truly think removing my eyes would free you from my hand? How quaint.

He paused, setting the letter down. His freed hand moved to his scarred right arm, fingers trailing down the ridges of a sacred, absent memory. "I don't remember who I am," he muttered, tracing a line on the thick skin. I'm not whole. In that, she was right, but she was wrong about Mei. He chewed on his lip. Only halfway through and he was growing tired of this. What had Jasper called her? A narcissist?

With a heavy sigh, he picked up the letter and continued.

While you were busy playing hero on that filthy little island, I was cleaning up your true mess: your followers. I showed them what happens to sheep who leave the flock. No one came for them. No one protected them. They were dealt with swiftly and silently. You are alone, Jun. Do you hear that silence? It’s the sound of all your support vanishing, just like your mother and father did.

Jun froze, a scowl on his face. The words in the letter danced in his head. His Mother and Father.

Slam. His fist struck the desk, the objects on it clattering. His jaw locked, as a muscle below his eye twitched. Don’t you go there. He thought. A vicious shudder ran through his shoulders. He covered his eyes. How dare you. You killed my mother and sent my fahter to a pointless battle. It was you who killed him! His prayer circulated within him as he remained rooted to the spot. He pulled his hand down. His gaze snagged on a lock of brilliant blue hair near his temple. It had changed color. He clenched his fist, teeth grinding as he forced the prayer to slow down. Her reminder of his followers became his new focus.

Lira’s burned hand played in his mind. Countless faces looked to him, calling him ‘Lord’, ‘Young Master’—their voices silenced. While he made it to the School of the Chosen, she had taken the opportunity to wipe out his supporting faction. The few that remained were safeguarded and brought here thanks to Amalie. Jun offered a silent prayer of gratitude for her help.

Slumping in the chair, he reached for the letter, knowing it wasn’t over.

I find myself in a surprisingly forgiving mood, perhaps because I miss seeing my sister’s face in yours. I will offer a gesture of peace for the sake of her memory.

Jun remained still. “Forgiving?” he muttered. The Matriarch liked his mother? Since when? When she killed her? This was a pure lie.

This is your final choice: Return to my estate immediately and accept your destiny. Your presence will stabilize the region. If you do not, the island will become a very painful case study in failure. Every injury, every death, every inconvenience will be a direct consequence of your vanity.

Jun breathed deeply, slowly. Her power had to be waining if she was resorting to ultimatums like this. His lips curved into a smirk. He wasn’t some ignorant child. His time with Japser had honed his perceptions. If he returned now, he would never get away again and she’d make sure to finish the job of removing him from the succession line.

You want to protect them? Then give them back to me. Their life is given based on your obedience.

Jun set the letter down, already memorizing her last line. His emotions chilled and his mind cleared. With a fluid motion, he left the room, passing the servants and followers that remained in his charge.

She wants me to trade the people in my care, those I saved and those who found their way here, for a false peace.

In the corner of his eye, he spotted Mei with Suke, still pale but stable. Lira waved at him, her right scared hand still bandaged. He let his feet carry him away, passing the Master Bernard as he spared with members of his home. Kallum saluted silently from his vantage point and Jun dipped his head in acknowledgment.

If I return, I am dead and I won’t be able to fulfill Jasper’s last wish, let alone protect anyone.

The last words in the letter rang in his thoughts as he climbed up the hillside, looking out at the island and harbor in the distance.

Don't test my patience.

He huffed. He was already doing that. Since she had no desire to leave them alone and there was no way to reconcile, he needed to figure out his next course of action. Would he retaliate? Could he? He shook his head. She was still far too powerful. The remaining members, while strong and loyal, were small compared to the armies and clans she controlled. If anything, he needed more influence, just as Amalie had said over a year ago.

His eyes caught sight of Mei as she walked out of the house. Arvad appeared from under a tree and joined her in a walk. From this vantage, he could see the Jinshari spies tailing them. He needed to get rid of the new spies, and focus his efforts. Playing pretend had gotten them to safety, but continuing the farce would only take up what precious little time they had.

His mind paused his plans as a new person entered his field of view. A professor passed by Mei and Arvad towards his home. Jun’s brows furrowed. What could a professor want out here?