Funeral of Hearts

Nairn stared at the boy, blue eyes narrowing to slits as the child grabbed one of his daggers and pressed it to the hollow of his own throat. It's for your own safety. He growled, reaching to curl his fingers around the hilt of the stolen blade.

Someone within these walls wants me dead, Haulean. His voice lowered, so that any eavesdroppers would not hear them. And anyone connected to me is at risk. His exhaled forcefully, as he slowly pulled the dagger away from the trembling boy.

You'll stay with Megara and Ruth. And then he leaned over the boy, fingers settling underneath his chin, in a tight grip.

And if you ever imply that you're better off dead again... He exhaled shakily, I might not have wanted you, but your mother wanted you desperately. And for as long as you're in my care, I'll keep my promise to her. Which had been, if she ever needed him to take the child, he would protect them with everything he had.

He released Haulean's chin, and reached for the stack of letters again. And began to read aloud the first letter that he picked up.