“Best as you can expect on the ground in a storm.”He lazily observed his companions as they broke off to handle their morning business.
Suddenly a million questions begged for answers, but I started with, “What’s the protocol for when you arrive?”I needed something to go off of. If what he said didn’t align with what I’d see upon arriving, I’d know it’d be a trap. What could I do about it at that point? Well, that remained to be seen.
“We’ll pass the sentries staggered outside the camp’s border.”
“And they’ll just let me in?”
His ear twitched. “About that…”
If after all I’d done to get here, I died before stepping foot into that camp, my soul would never find peace. I stifled any reaction I wanted to say, yell, or threaten, and waited for him to continue.
“Word would reach leadership of an unverified visitor before we could even drop off the boar to be prepped. None of these assholes will hesitate to spew information about you, but I don’t foresee that being a problem.”
“How?”I spat out. “Seems like a pretty big problem to me.”
He tilted those large cat eyes to me, the small pupils surrounded by a sea of yellow and gold.“I have a plan.”
39
Nora
How had Nick done this alone for so long? Fuck, I was losing my mind as I sat in the king’s office, yet again. Barely more than a week without him, and twice I’d debated hiring a stand-in. Was that a thing? Could I pay someone to handle the insidiously tedious tasks I didn’t want to?
I’d ask Ricks, but I was fairly certain it would give him a heart attack, and admittedly, I needed him too much. Fortunately, I’d discovered the occasional hum and nod encouraged Ricks to chat and chat until he circled back around and sorted everything out himself.
His interest in next year's decorative perennials greatly exceeded mine, so I opted for allowing him to make the decisions. If Melody were here, she’d contribute. My heart strained under the weight of how much I missed her. With she and Nick gone, I had thrown myself into the work I knew would make a difference. Truthfully, a lot had been accomplished.
I’d volunteered at the soup kitchen, personally ensured the shelters for the homeless were as equipped as they needed tobe, and dropped in on a Magic Supporters meeting. I arranged for the surrounding cities to compile supplies to ship to our new settlement, paying double the price and unabashedly praising the suppliers for their hospitality and gratitude.
Compliments from a queen do a lot for bragging rights in social circles. A small step, but a crucial one to help transition our people into becoming more accepting of magic. I temporarily tuned back in to Ricks’ ramblings, about to offer my timely agreeable nod when a man appeared in the doorway.
Not just any man. A gorgeous blond. “Nicholas!” My chest emptied itself of all air, and in the most unladylike fashion full of urgency, I flung myself from my chair. It groaned and skidded against the floor with such force I wouldn’t be surprised if the legs splintered. However, all decorum went out the window when it came to my husband.
Slamming my body into his, he caught me with strong arms. We didn’t have to speak to voice our love, the strength in which we held one another spoke volumes. The unease that had impregnated itself in me since he left finally fell away, and I sighed against his firm chest. I pulled back, noticing that Mira and Dante stood behind him.
“Oh, and we have guests. How are things settling? Did everyone find shelter? Were there enough supplies?” My curiosity swarmed like a hive of bees.
Nicholas pried his gaze from me to address the counselors around the table. “I’m afraid I must borrow my wife. Please take note of all the unfinished topics today and we’ll be sure to address them tomorrow.”
I missed the feel of his hand pressed against my lower back as he guided me from the room. When my heart recovered from swooning over his return, I realized something was off. The four of us walked down the hall and he led us to the dining room.
Addressing the soldiers posted outside the door, Nicholas said, “An immediate situation calls for you downstairs. Please report to the guards at the door, and remain until you are fetched.”
They bowed and took leave.
We all funneled into the grand room, and Nick wasted no time striding across the vast space to shut the doors on the other side. The floor to ceiling doors groaned behind me, and Dante closed the others.
“What’s going on?” I asked, marching up to Nicholas. He gestured toward the table, and we all wordlessly took our seats.
“King Nicholas was attacked,” Dante said.
I whirled to look at my husband, who sat with his elbows on the table, resting his chin against his closed fist. The fact that at least one hand wasn’t presently touching some part of me spoke volumes. “What happened?” I ground out the question through gritted teeth, my eyes raking over every inch of his body.
Nicholas sighed. “Strong opinions exist about the refugees from Argora Vale. As we feared, some are so opposed to the idea that they wanted to make a statement.” He shifted in his seat, having a hard time making eye contact.
“Nick,” I barked, forcing him to look at me. When he did, those ocean eyes met mine filled with apology. My hand found its way to his, grasping it hard. There may have been a scowl painted across my face, but a tear trailed down my cheek, fear rising over what he struggled to say.
“I’m so sorry, Nora. I made a stupid mistake. I let my guard down, and I left myself vulnerable, and they almost took me away from you.” His words broke as his eyes welled with tears.
