Chapter 89: Dulcet and Duplicitous - Part 16

{A/N: Phew - for whatever reason this chapter took me forever to complete. Hope you enjoy!

~ Higgins}

"You were exiled, Little Ko," the king of Simo reminded with cloying insincerity. You have been stripped of your rights and locked away in a cage, one that was suitable for the Snake of Simo. But you disobeyed your king and fled. Along with two of your men." His gaze flickered to Cele. "And an Ilysian.”

Heiko watched him in silence, as if awaiting his next progression.

“But what's the surprise there?" King Ingo tutted. "I would look foolish if I even tried to convince you that I had faith in your ability to listen to commands. I knew you would flee. I knew you would attempt to cross into Burke, and thus, there I waited."

His bronze gaze glazed over his brother's face before continuing.

"I admit, I was worried about Cuilin’s clan. A bit of a bastard, isn't he? But it was clearly for naught - you managed to get past him without any problem.”