Gods be with you, Titus.
A guard glances my way, jerking as if he’s a bug hitting a window, caught off guard by my sudden appearance. Tristen raises his blade. The guard steps back, dips his chin, and then continues on his way.
“They’re…”
“On our side. Shit!” Tristen chortles with mirth. “Adrian was telling the truth.” His glee warms some of my frigid ire over having been left behind.
“All this time, I was surrounded by men who hated Galen. I wasn’t the only one trapped living a lie, trying to find an ounce of joy in this cage,” I admit.
“I’m sorry,” Tristen's hug wraps around me, a quiet canopy shading me from the heat of the truth. “We all escape differently. Some buy silk dresses; others plot murder.”
“That’s in the past.” The night I shot that arrow feels like a lifetime ago. So much has changed since then.
“I am sorry you had to endure the grief of Everett’s passing alone.”
“It’s not your fault.” I distanced myself from Everett, dooming us to die without saying farewell.
“In a way, it is. I fought for Galen. I supported him.”
I hold his hand gently in mine. “Tristen, you fought because you were a child who was taught to. You killed to eat and survive. I do not blame you. One day, let’s make a world where people like you and me have a choice.”
“I’d like that.” His eyes linger on me longer, showing admiration.
My face softens. “Me, too.”
A shadow eclipses us. This time it isn’t Tristen’s. “Vice Admiral Airendale,” I announce when his face comes into view.
He bows. “Queen. Please call me Adrian.” He studies Tristen. “I know you’re pissed. Titus warned me.”
Wind rushes past my brow, metal glints off the sunlight sky, slicing through the air. Tristen presses his blade to Adrian’s neck. I stumble back; Adrian stands still as a boulder, unafraid of lightning, just allowing the fury to pass through him.
I yank Tristen back by his shoulders. “What did you do?” Tristen shouts.
Several men paused to observe. “Resume your roles!” Adrian bellows. My breath shakes. I’ve heard of Adrian and dined with him many nights. Silent and watchful, he waits like a predator in the bush.
“I did as my new king demanded. I kept you inside these walls,” he says smoothly.
“You let him go alone.” Tristen moves his sword again, but I grab it from his hand. He lets me; maybe he’s hoping I’ll kill the Admiral instead.
“No.” Adrian tilts his head. “I let Ryker go with him.”
Tristen’s heels stumble on my toes. “What?—”
“I’ve been planning this for a very long time, Tristen. I knew family meant everything to Titus, so I made sure to have them placed in Lunesta with the part of the army I controlled. I kept them safe and made sure to bring them into the fold. Take Selene back to her room. The fight is just starting. Not all the men here follow me. Blood will spill, and I’d hate to stain the Queen’s shoes.”
“I do not fear blood,” I defend, my lips curling.
Respect is evident in Adrian’s eyes. “I know. But you’re his mate, and you need to be kept safe. I know you, Queen Selene, you would run into battle, but as his mate, your actions create a pull. He needs to focus in order to kill Galen. You and Tristen would be thorns that make him stumble. Stay. Here.”
My gulp sticks. “He told you we’re mated.” Then that means Titus fully trusts Adrian.
Adrian nods. “Titus is ambushing Galen on the road; he’ll return a king, I am sure. My orders are to secure the castle.” He looks at Tristen. “Your orders are to keep her safe.”
Swords slam together as men shout in the distance.
“Now, hurry.” Adrian nods, turns, and pulls out two massive swords. If I held them, they would drag behind my feet.
Tristen blankets us in shadows, and his sword is plucked from my hand. Unthinkingly, I let Tristen guide me, lost in a flood of emotions. Everything I wanted is happening this very moment. My mate is claiming me, Galen will be dethroned, and I’ll be free. I should smile.
