“Call off yourfriends!” she yelled, and every man and woman turned to face me with uncertainty. “This—eek!—this is why you cannot feed these stupid, wicked little creatures!”
I’d once considered that Robert might not beonebird, but several. This, however, was a greater gathering of crows than I had ever encountered as individuals. It couldn’t possibly be my doing, could it?
Nicolas emerged at the other end of the hall, Quinn close by his side. The viscount shot an accusatory glare my way; all I could do was throw my arms out, the universal sign for:I’m as lost as you are, asshole!
Taran Banewight brushed past both men, heading straight for Angharad. The birds pecked at him, but if they didn’t move, he trampled them. They learned their place in short order, parting for him as he reached the marchioness and lifted her with ease.
“Do not accuse your queen, my lady,” he said quietly, that deep voice still booming over the birds’ chatter. “This is certainly the work of a witch.”
On a quick search of the corridor, I found no sign of Florence. Even as others filed in—Winnie, my handmaidens, Adelaide—my other lady-in-waiting was nowhere to be found.
“King Nicolas,” Taran spoke, turning around to face him. He carried Angharad away from the spot and the crows scattered, taking off through windows in organized pairs. Several turned to look at me before departing, and I swore their eyes were hollow, like they’d been plucked out and filled with shadow. “I’ll need to remain here a while longer, along with my seekers. I hope you understand; it’s for the safety of the kingdom.”
“Certainly.” Nicolas clenched his jaw, adjusting his posture. “You are always welcome.”
“I shall escort Lady Angharad away.”
I watched him go, then met my husband’s steeled gaze. He closed the distance, careful to avoid the twitching corpses of those birds that dared to remain in the Banewight’s path. Once he was close, he placed a hand on my shoulder.
“They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
“N-no, of course not,” I whispered. As Quinn neared, I shut my mouth and moved my hands instead.“I had nothing to do with this.”
My focus latched onto Florence as she appeared atop the stairs. She seemed unfazed by the commotion, heading straight for me and ignoring all else.
She took me by the arm and smiled meekly at the king.
“It appears we’ve a problem on our hands,” Florence said.
“I’ll say,” Nicolas replied. “The Banewights intend to stay now. What did you do, woman?”
“You think I’m so eager to keep them around?” Her hand gestured to the dead birds. “Alana has a way with the crows. It is possible they sensed some danger and came to ward it off.”
“Danger?”I signed.“It was only Angharad.”
Nicolas frowned. “Quinn.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Search Angharad.Thoroughly.”
My lips parted, a protest rising in my throat. The thought of Quinn’s hands on Angharad, even professionally, sent an unexpected bolt of possessiveness through me. Worse than jealousy was watching Quinn’s obvious discomfort, the way he tensed as he struggled with the demand.
I wanted to step forward and offer an alternative…but I caught myself in time, snapping my mouth shut and clenching my hands at my sides. I had no claim to him, and if he wished to find another way, he would.
Quinn’s expression changed then, features darkening as duty overrode the code he abided. He nodded. “As you wish.”
The resignation in his voice made my heart ache as much as my powerlessness to prevent it. I watched him go, and Florence’s hold on me tightened.
“Worry not. She’s your friend, so it’s doubtful she was bringing you harm.” Florence ruminated quietly. “Crows are mysterious friends. Who knows their motivations? And besides, poor Quinn has been down like a wagon without wheels. He could use the entertainment.”
I clenched my teeth, body stiffening. Florence squeezed my arm yet again, reminding me that the king was right there.
“Another thing,” Florence added. “I shan’t be joining you for the wedding tour. If the Banewights remain, I need to keep myself scarce.”
“Of course,” I whispered, but my thoughts were far from that. They churned with images I couldn’t banish: Quinn’s hands on Angharad, checking the lacing of her bodice, beneath her skirts for hidden weapons…
I burned with jealousy I had no right to feel.
