Kaelyn stood. She guessed the sneer and the overdramatic drawing of his weapon was supposed to scare her. Foolish man. She’d just realized she could never have the man she loved. There wasn’t much else to live for at the moment.
“I’ve had a really long day.” She dropped her hand to the hilt of her sword.
The man snorted. “Don’t worry, it’s going to come to an end soon.”
“Listen. Just turn around and leave camp and I won’t say anything.”
“You won’t be in any condition to talk to anyone if I stay.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that.”
With a grunt, he lunged at her. She sidestepped his attack, drew her blade, and sliced the muscles in his sword arm. He yelped, dropped his weapon, and hugged his arm to his chest.
“You stupid bitch.”
“I’m not sure you’re in a position to call me names.” She whipped her sword around, aiming to injure a leg and slow him down.
He staggered out of the way and drew his dagger. She swung again, keeping him off balance. He stumbled back, tripping through the flap into the square.
On the edge of her awareness she heard yells. Soldiers were gathering, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care who saw her or knew what she was. She was done with hiding, done with being ashamed of herself.
The man regained his balance and sank into a lower stance. He narrowed his eyes, as if seeing her for the first time. She raised an eyebrow.
He growled and leapt at her. She stepped aside and swung at him. He dodged, jabbing his dagger toward her. She twisted out of the way and pulled her blade along the back of his leg, slicing cloth and flesh.
The man screamed and dropped to the ground. Soldiers rushed to them, grabbing the fallen man. Reynold and Wyndham ran from the royal tent.
Wyndham rushed to her side and reached for her. “Are you all right?”
She eased away before he could make contact. She’d melt if he touched her. “I’m fine.”
The veil swept over Wyndham’s features and he pursed his lips.
“Get him in my tent,” said Reynold. He turned to a knight standing beside her attacker. “Double the watch tonight.” He spun on his heel and marched back inside.
Kaelyn and Wyndham followed, while soldiers dragged the man inside. They bound his hands behind his back and secured his legs to a stool.
“Leave us,” said Reynold.
The soldiers bowed and rushed out.
Reynold leveled his gaze on Wyndham and Kaelyn. “You, too.”
“But,” said Wyndham.
“He’s my man.” Reynold’s voice was low, thrumming with rage. “My prerogative.”
Kaelyn brushed Wyndham’s arm. “We should go.”
He stared at her, as if he couldn’t understand her words, then nodded.
They left the tent, crossing the square back to hers.
“Are you sure you’re–”
“I’m fine.” Her words were harsher than she intended. It wasn’t fair of him to pick his duty over her and then be concerned when there was trouble.
“I just–”
She reached to caress his face, but pulled back before making contact. Her fingers burned to touch him, her chest ached with the need. But he was right. This was a path they couldn’t go any farther along.
“I know what you mean.”
He nodded.
The camp was quiet, only the murmur of men talking about the night’s events breaking the stillness.
“We should wait to see what Reynold discovers.”
“Yes.”
His baby finger brushed hers. Heat tingled up her arm, but he didn’t continue the contact.
#
Reynold crossed his arms and stared at his solider. “Guess the Wintherford girl is harder to kill than anticipated.”
“Your Highness, I–”
Reynold waved the man silent and Meeshmaltok eased from the back of the tent.
“Deal with him,” said Reynold.
Meeshmaltok pressed a hand to the crown of the man’s head and barked two guttural words. Light flashed around them. The man gasped and twitched. Meeshmaltok repeated the words. The light flared brighter and the man jerked.
With a whoosh, the glow vanished and the man’s eyes rolled back. He sagged forward and didn’t move.
“Is he dead?” It was disgusting, but efficient. And if it kept his advisor happy then it was worth the minor inconvenience.
Meeshmaltok brushed his hands down the front of his robe. “I would think you wouldn’t have to ask.”
Reynold shuffled through the parchments on the table, not really looking at any of them. Things needed to be handled carefully or Wyndham was going to cause trouble. And after the ruckus he’d created among the army, Reynold couldn’t just dispose of him. Damn but the soldiers loved him. It was a surprise Harcourt had managed to convince the guard at Mythnar to kill him, Mother, and Gregor.
First thing first. He needed people to blame for the mess at Mythnar. “Which merchant barons should hang for this.”
“Portwin and Issauer have been asking a lot of questions lately.”
“Good. What about the Wintherford girl?”
“The spell holds.”
“Then how did she know about Harcourt?”
“She and Wyndham did escape Mythnar. Perhaps they found out then.” Meeshmaltok’s tone implied he thought he was speaking to a child.
Reynold hated when his advisor stepped out of his place. “This is your plan as much as mine.”
“And plans will have to change.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, Your Highness.”
“Excuse me?”
Meeshmaltok leaned close. “You don’t need to worry yourself with it.”
“I–”
Buzzing swarmed through Reynold’s mind.
He shook his head to clear, but the buzzing increased.
“I think–”
Light seeped from Meeshmaltok’s eyes, bright specks that danced through the air.
“I–”
“You’ll announce to your knights that Portwin and Issauer are guilty of treason. You will send Wyndham, the Wintherford girl, and the knights to stop Harcourt.”
The buzzing increased, filling every part of him. His knees buckled and he grabbed the edge of the table to keep standing.
“You will tell your brother you are on your way.”
“But–”
“I need blood.”
The light swarmed around him, biting his flesh, boring into his thoughts.
“This skirmish won’t be enough any more, but it will help. Every little bit helps.”
Reynold nodded. “Every little bit.”
“Now go out there and make your announcement. Everything is going according to plan.” Meeshmaltok waved at him and he stumbled back from the table.
“Yes.” His lips were numb, swollen, his legs shaky. “Everything as planned.”
