My heart shattered, and I lunged, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him close. “But you’re here, you’re here,” I whispered through the soft sobs that I tried to control. His fingers pressed into my shoulder blade and my hip, our chestscompressed tightly enough that it was almost hard to breathe. Still, neither of us let go.
The heartbeat I felt pounding in his chest was essentially my own. If his were to ever stop, mine would wither and die. “Tell me everything,” I encouraged while pulling back, running my hands over the back of his head with sweet abandon.
Ignoring our guests at the table, I didn’t release my hold on my husband the entire time he relayed the story. It somehow ebbed the fear, holding him in a way that reminded me the worst hadn’t come to pass while he told me about being drugged, tied, and hidden away in some ramshackle shed. About there being a group of unknown numbers who felt strongly enough about ostracizing magic wielders that they were willing to kill him to make a statement. To attempt a coup based on hatred and unjustified fear.
Dante explained that he’d followed the scent of blood to discover Nick, and had identified one of the members. After carrying Nick back to their inn, they cared for him until he woke. He was able to heal himself after the iron chains were removed. Nick was convinced they chained him with iron to be symbolic, since we hadn’t revealed the fact that he had magic to the public yet. Unfortunately, Dante discovered the entire convoy Nick traveled with had been murdered, poisoned by tainted meat.
“I suspect we would have heard talks of an immediate uprising in Point Hollow had Dante not retrieved me.” Nicholas passed a glance of gratitude toward Dante. “I know I have offered my thanks, but I cannot tell you what it means that you allowed me to see my wife again. I know our past has been…a unique one.” He shared a glance with Mira. “And I sincerely hope you’ll allow me to repay you in some way.”
“Don’t hesitate to ask,” I added. There was no price I wouldn’t pay for Nick’s life.
“Thank you, Your Majesties,” Mira said, her arm folded around Dante’s. I hadn’t known them for long, but Nick had filled me in on Mira’s time here previously. Fate must have had her hand in it all, because now Mira and Dante were essentially the rulers of Argora Vale, despite not having a kingdom.
Dante didn’t address our statements, he simply returned to the matter at hand. “They probably shit themselves when they discovered that shed empty. My best guess is they’re laying low until they figure out who found him.”
I maintained a deadly grip on my husband, but directed my question to Dante. “You said you discovered one of their identities. Who.” Not a question, a demand from a queen that dripped with cold resolution.
“A butcher in the town. We brought him back with us.”
I snapped my gaze to Nicholas. “He’s here?” My fingers burned. The only ointment to remedy the feeling was the touch of cold steel from my daggers.
“Dante stalked him in his beast form and dragged him out of his shop. We bound and gagged him, and I paid a local for their covered wagon. Thought it best to avoid hiring any local guardsmen, in case, you know,” Nicholas said, shrugging a shoulder.
Smart. We attempted cleaning up the army in our immediate vicinity, but who knew where loyalties remained for those guardsmen separated from the castle.
“When I got to Waterview, I instructed a dozen guards to take him to the cells,” Nick said.
I probably burned as hot as the fire in the hearth across from us. “He’s within castle walls.” My words came out near sizzling. I made to leave, but Nicholas tugged me back, pinning me in place.
“I already have some highly trained people who are skilled in getting answers interrogating him. If we can even get onename, we’ll make strides in ascertaining the spear heads of this campaign.”
“It’s not a campaign, it’s a gods damned terrorist group,” I seethed.
“They don’t know I’m alive, or that I’ve made it back here. We left under the cover of night, immediately after snatching the butcher. They’ll be confused and scrambling. Since they murdered my convoy, there will be no reports of royalty traveling back. We have all the advantage right now.”
“What next?” I did my best to even my tone, though I remained volcanic, ready to erupt. There was a gleam in his eye, one that told me he’d formed a plan.
“I want to keep my presence quiet. I’ve already instructed those who’ve seen me return to remain stationed on prison duty for the next twelve hours. They won’t have the chance to alert anyone else until then. But whether he breaks and gives us any viable information or not, I think it’s time.”
His eyes sparkled with question, searching for my approval. Firmly, I held his gaze. “It’s always been your decision. I support you.”
A gagging sound stole my attention, and I turned to see Mira with her hand over her mouth.
“I’m so sorry. It’s not you.” Another gag, this time deeper. Dante reached for one of the bowls decorating the table and dumped out the potpourri and flower arrangement before placing it in front of her. She hurled.
“I’ll have the cooks bring something.” Nick pressed a kiss to my cheek before setting me on my chair, then he got up and exited the room.
I watched Dante gather her red hair, her roots a deeper shade of brown, holding it away from her face that now contorted as if she smelled something unpleasant.
“I think the bowl is making it worse.” Dante searched for a suitable replacement.
“I’ll get a clean one,” I said, launching from my seat and racing to the kitchens.
The throbbing beat in my chest pummeled against my ribs at the thought of the man who nearly killed Nicholas being mere feet beneath me. It took every ounce of restraint I could muster to stop myself from marching down there right now and ending him.
A server dashed from the kitchens, platter in hand covered with fresh cut breads and cheeses, along with a sampling of fruits and nuts. Another bustled out behind her, less hurried as she carried a tray hosting a variety of teas.
“Take that straight to our guests in the dining room,” I instructed. They nodded and confirmed by addressing my title.
