A small shrug from Harlan. ‘You tell me.’
Roul turned to face him properly, brow pinched. ‘Tell you what exactly?’
‘How about what your intentions are with Eda?’
Roul’s lips twitched. ‘Myintentions?’
‘I heard about the kiss.’
Ah. So much for keeping it a secret.‘She told you about that?’
‘I walked in when she was telling Blake.’ Harlan’s expression was serious. ‘Does she know you’re returning to Carno?’
‘You told me not to tell anyone, remember?’
Harlan pushed off the wall. ‘Well, I think it’s time to share your plans with her before things get out of hand. Your family’s waiting for you to return.’
Roul pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘The kiss was… I tried to stop it.’ That was absolutely sort of true.
‘But the woman half your size forced herself upon you?’
Roul’s hand fell away, but before he could reply, the warden appeared, looking between them as he came to a stop. The commanders straightened.
‘I just came from Queen Fayre’s quarters,’ Shapur began. ‘It seems the youngest Suttone sister will be going to Harlech Castle after all. I have been instructed to put together a unit.’
Roul glanced at Harlan, whose surprise matched his own. ‘But she failed the test.’
‘Then single-handedly saved the queen when every other defender in the borough failed to do so,’ Shapur replied. ‘She is capable, as you both know—and willing.’
Harlan exhaled. ‘When?’
‘We have two days.’
At first Roul thought he had misheard. ‘Two days?’
Shapur nodded. ‘I need five men.’
‘Will five be enough?’ Harlan asked.
‘No,’ Roul said immediately.
Shapur shot him a warning glance. ‘Too large and they will attract unwanted attention.’
Five men was not enough. A hundred men was not enough.
‘I’d like to volunteer to lead the unit, sir,’ Roul said. ‘I know the region and understand the risks better than anyone else inside these walls.’
The warden stared at him for what felt like a full minute before looking to Harlan. ‘It is not the worst idea in the world.’
Harlan nodded in agreement. ‘I think Eda will appreciate a familiar face, and Thornton will make sureno onelays a hand on her. Right, Commander Thornton?’
His meaning came through loud and clear. ‘Of course.’
Harlan looked back at his father. ‘We’ll have a think about who else will make up the unit.’
Shapur nodded. ‘Bring Eda to the castle in the morning. There will be a full briefing—and a dress fitting, apparently.’
‘She’s going to love that,’ Harlan said.
