Fenrin wandered through the trees until he found a small stream where he washed his face and took a long drink of the cool water. What was wrong with him? Why was he doing this?

Because it's ridiculous and something his family would never do.

That's what had appealed to him about the whole situation. Jayln's innocence, her optimism, and naïvety about the cruelties of the world. For Fenrin, who had been born into a world that thrived on the worst humanity had to offer, it was a novelty. He'd played with it out of curiosity, but now he had to decide if he would follow through.

There was no one here to judge his actions. None of Bryn's men whispering he wasn't as strong as his father, no sister pointing out his every flaw and dancing on his insecurities—just Fenrin.

What harm could come from following through? If he did, he got the fighting edge he might need against whatever Lyra was planning. If he failed, well he was just back where we had been before, murdering his way to wealth and fame.

Yes, he would do it. Let's see what following the rules can get me.