Rennick pursed his lips. “If what you say is true, keep her away from me or I will separate her head from her body.”
Finn snorted, then blanched when Rennick lifted his head and leveled him with a look. “You’re serious.”
Rennick put down his quill and read over the document. “Have this decree announced throughout the kingdom.” He stood and held out the paper. “Send warriors to ensure it’s followed. Anyone who refuses to comply of their own will be forced.”
Finn took the paper, read it, and scoffed. “You can’t be serious.”
Rennick walked to the door and looked over his shoulder. “I want it done as soon as possible.”
25
Amelia smiled nervously at the guards as she walked through the palace gates toward the training arena. It was a large structure that looked miles away, but it couldn’t be that far.
Hopefully.
Not two steps outside of the walls, something bumped against her leg. She jumped and looked down to find the cutest thing she’d ever seen. A fluffy light brown lynx with white paws and black sprigs of fur sprouting from its ears stared up at her expectantly.
It struck her then that lynx were a type of wild mountain cat, and she scooted away, but with every step she took, it followed.
“Uh, hello.” She leaned to the side and glanced between its legs. “Little guy.”
It sat down, and she looked around. “Are you someone’s pet?”
She swore to the gods the thing shook its head. “Can you understand me?” It stared at her like she was stupid. “Guess not.”
She stood in a stare off with the cat, not knowing what to do. “Are you going to bite me?” The lynxlooked bored, and she reached down, knowing she might lose a finger, and pet the cat’s head. To her astonishment, it purred. “Well,” she said finally, “if you’re coming with me, let’s go.”
The lynx trotted happily beside her across the large field toward the training arena, earning a few looks from passersby, including the guards at the entrance. Fawn wasn’t kidding when she said everyone was instructed to treat her like royalty, because the guard at the gate tipped his head and granted her entry when she told him her name. He glanced wearily at the lynx, but said nothing.
Amelia stayed close to the edge of the arena and warriors paused their training as she passed them, staring openly until she found a hiding place between a group of weapons racks. The lynx planted its butt on the muddy slush beside her and, together, they watched the warriors and young trainees with rapt fascination.
She’d come out here to keep her mind off Eddy and her growing concern he’d ventured back to the Human Kingdom looking for her, but her new furry sidekick only reminded her of him more. Fawn had a lot to do today, so here Amelia stood, with a cat she was fairly certain ate other animals, watching sweaty fae try to kill each other.
There must have been hundreds of warriors in the arena, and she wondered if they were all from the Mountain Kingdom capital or if some traveled from smaller villages. It was a testament to the size of the structure because they had ample room to fight and move about.
Finn walked into the arena with a group of people behind him and whistled loudly. Everyone stopped and fell into rows of regimented lines, backs straight, facing forward. Their discipline was impressive.
“Every male presenting fae with blond hair, line up on the right side of the arena,” Finn yelled, pointing in Amelia’s direction.She shrank back further into the shadows. “All others, gather your weapons and move to the left side.”
Confused looks passed between the guards while an impressive number of blond soldiers moved to one side.
Finn joined them and called for their attention. “A decree has been issued by the king that all male presenting citizens of the Mountain Kingdom with blond hair must shave their heads until after he and his chosen mate are wed.”
Wed?Amelia’s mind worked overtime, trying to make sense of it all.
Everyone started talking at once, and Finn whistled again. “The king has treated his people well since taking over as interim king. He has fought tirelessly at our sides to defeat rebels, some of whom took your loved ones away. Youwilldo this for him voluntarily, or it will be done to you by force.” He motioned for the people who’d accompanied him to step forward. “I will go first.”
The warriors quieted. Why would Rennick force the blonds to shave their heads? It didn’t make sense.
Amelia watched as warrior after warrior took their turns, their blond hair sprinkling the muddy snow, and briefly she wondered how they would clean it all up.
“Do you have any idea why your mate is doing this?” Finn asked from the other side of the weapons rack, startling her.
Covering her pounding heart, she stepped out of the shadows, squinting from the sun. “He’s insane?”
Finn walked around the racks to stand in front of her. “He isn’t, except for when it comes to you.” His brows raised when he spotted the lynx at her feet, and he glanced quickly at her chest. He looked confused, but she was too offended to care.
“I didn’t ask him to do this.”
