Not like this.
It was obvious we weren’t going to slip back into the keep unnoticed the moment we got close to the city. Keep dragons appeared in the sky around us, not getting close enough for ‘Fang to lash out, but their intent was clear. Some rider gestured for us to follow his wing, stabbing a finger at the keep, then without waiting for acknowledgement, escorted us down to the courtyard out front.
Where a large group awaited us.
“Looks like we’ve got a welcoming committee,” I muttered at Kael as we slipped from the saddle. When Auren landed in front of us, both of us moved to help Fern down.
And so did a bunch of the riders standing around the front of the keep.
“Not for us,” he said between gritted teeth. “For our girl.”
Well, those Royal Riders might have fancy uniforms and insignias, but we had one thing on them: proximity. Lance and the two of us were at Auren’s side, our hands held out before they could even get close.
“Oh…!”
Gods, I’d give anything to see Fern less surprised by basic acts of human decency.
“Let’s get you down,” I said, grinning the moment her hands took mine. This strange kind of zing tore through me every time we touched. “Kael, grab her bags–”
“Already on it,” he said, opening the clasps and hauling her things out.
I continued to hold Fern’s hand as I led her forward. The lieutenant fell into place on her other side, our steps matching hers.
“Care to grab a bite to eat? We could have…” With a look up at the sun, I took a guess at the time of day. “A late lunch or an early dinner.”
Fern let out a long sigh.
“I think I’m just going to go to my room and take a very long bath. Washing in rivers and lakes is just not the same.”
Dain grunted, didn’t even spare us a sidelong look, but ratherthan stalk away, he stood in the path of the approaching riders, including a small, older woman.
“Want someone to scrub your back?” I wiggled my fingers in the air. “I could wash all the dirt of the road off you, then you could–”
“Fern!” The other woman rushed forward, taking my girl’s spare hand in hers. “Gods, when I heard you were headed to the tomb of terror, I nearly died.” She clucked like a broody hen as she inspected Fern closely. “Tell me you haven’t come to any harm?”
“Not me, Hazel,” our girl replied with a flush. Fern introduced us all briefly. “Dain was not so lucky.” Well, look at that. For just a second, he glanced back then hoisted his bag onto his shoulder, obviously intending to head inside. “He was forced to submit to my amateurish attempts at nursing.”
That had my brother stopping still. Interesting.
“Oh goodness.” Hazel turned to Dain. “I’ll have the healer come and take a look at that wound. It looks nasty.”
“I’d be very interested to hear the story behind it.” The general stopped short of our group, smiling that smug bastard smile of his. “Lance, if you’d like to give me your report?” Not us. He had no time for anything me and my brothers might have to say, that was clear. “You can fill me in while the Lady Fern recovers from her trip.” He looked over his shoulder. “Slade, Frederick, perhaps you’d like to escort the lady to her room?”
No, that was not going to happen. My grip on Fern’s hand tightened as Kael moved in closer. That was to be expected, but not Dain moving into the space between the general and our girl. His hand strayed to his sword hilt, something that was noticed by everyone gathered here. Hazel frowned and then started to move.
“Lance, your report must be delayed,” she said. “While we’re glad you’re back, we didn’t gather here to wait for your return. There’s important guests arriving all day because the king has ordered all the Harlstonian nobles to decide on the next duke, or he’ll do the honours himself.” With a squint, she looked up at the sky. “There will be more people here in minutes. You boys make sure that Fern makes it back to her room safely–”
“We’d love to,” I said with a smirk, ready to walk on past the general.
“Me and my wing.” A group of riders came to stand before us. “We’d be love to escort you to dinner, Lady Fern.”
Our girl blinked, watching the man bow low. Me and the riders both waited for her reply with bated breath.
“I am tired, dirty, and…” She sniffed at her collar and then recoiled. “Smell terrible. That needs to be addressed before I can make any decisions about tonight.”
“Nice brushoff, lass,” Kael said as we walked past the riders and into the keep. “When we all know you’ll go to the dinner with–”
“Whoever you deem worthy,” Lance cut in with a meaningful look at my brother. “You know each one of us wants nothing more than to walk into the dining hall with you on our arm.”
