Xavier frowned, as if considering his words. “It’s just that, there are plenty of other kingdoms in the east much closer to Pericius than we are. Why send a letter all the way here, hoping that a newly established kingdom that is still recovering from their own war would answer their call?”
“They’re desperate,” I answered. “Their kingdom is full of innocents, just like ours is. They’re hoping we’ll have a sliver of empathy and assist them.”
“But you don’t want to send soldiers?” he asked Wolf.
“It’s not that I don’t want to.” Wolf’s wings glistened in the morning light as he paced the spacious unit. “It’s that we can’t risk leaving Scarlata unguarded while our men are off fighting in the east. It isn’t fair to our people. We’re better off staying put and strengthening our troops.”
“Did Huntyr convince you of this?” I asked, annoyance making my wings puff out a fraction.
“Did I convince him of what?”
The three of us spun, finding Huntyr standing in the doorway, dressed in her training leathers, a fresh gleam of sweat on her forehead.
As she stepped inside, Rummy followed.
I quickly tore my gaze away, focusing on the kingdom outside the window. After last night, Rummy was the goddess-damned last person I wanted to see. Especially when I was certain she’d had a hand in convincing Huntyr to keep the troops here.
“Good,” Wolf greeted. “You’re back. Jessiah and Xavier are trying to convince me to let them join the battles in the eastern kingdoms.”
I didn’t have to look to know Rummy was rolling her eyes.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Xavier said, his hands held out in front of him. “I’m an innocent bystander in this debate. I have noproblem accepting the orders I’m given, whatever those orders may be.”
“And that's why you’re quickly becoming one of my favorites,” Wolf said.
Xavier grinned.Kiss-ass.
Rummy whipped around Huntyr, storming closer, her face red, her expression murderous. “You ambushed Wolf while we were gone? Really, Jessiah? I didn’t think you’d stoop so low as to sneak behind Huntyr’s back to sway his opinion.”
“I didn’t ambush anyone,” I gritted out. “I have concerns, and I wanted to share them with my brother.”
“Everyone, relax,” Huntyr interrupted, stepping between Rummy and me. “Wolf and I have already decided that now is not the time to send our troops.” Her expression was firm, but her eyes softened a fraction. “That doesn’t mean we won’t reevaluate the situation at a later time, and it doesn’t mean the decision wasn’t a difficult one.”
Wolf said nothing as his wife commanded our attention.
Rummy just smirked, her eyes flashing.
“Fine,” I replied, frustrated as fuck. “Forget I mentioned it. Xavier and I have to get back to training.”
“Good idea.” Rummy snickered.
Goddess above, she tested me more and more every day.
Wolf stepped up to Huntyr, the two of them bowing their heads and whispering.
I didn’t bother to try to make out their words. Instead, I headed out the door and stomped down the stairs, ready to get as far away as possible from all of them.
“Things are more tense than I thought,” Xavier said, catching up to me. “So, what now? We just move along like we know nothing about the conflicts in the east?”
Move along?How in all hells was I supposed to move along when there was a good chance innocents were suffering and I was sitting on an entire army of men who could help?
The guilt already kept me up at night. I couldn’t keep living this way.
But Wolf was the king. It was his choice. Me? I was nothing but his damn errand boy.
“Give me ten minutes,” I said, “then meet me near the southern tree line. Be discreet.”
Eyes narrowed, he assessed me. “You sure you’re okay?”
