“Sire, what has happened? Why are you so angry?”
“Why am I angry?” I lifted my brows. Then I shouted, “Why am I angry?!”
My knights drew back even as the Castle Guard gathered behind me in the courtyard and smacked their gauntleted fists on their chests in support. It made a thunderous sound that brought a grim smile to my face.
“Alfain and Risar are dead. I have also stripped them of their rank for betraying the crown.”
The knights gasped and stared at each other in shock. So maybe they hadn't been involved. But that didn't mean I could trust them.
“You are all dismissed from my service,” I went on. “Collect your things and leave my castle and my city at once. I should leave the bodies of the traitors to rot or have you bury them in unmarked graves, but I won't do that to their families. So you may take the bodies home with you. You can find them about sixty yards down the Grensar Woods road. I suggest you take several burlap sacks with you.”
“Burlap sacks?” Sir Ves whispered.
“To put all the pieces in,” Aras said gaily. “There was a fuck-ton more than your two friends lying in wait for us tonight. And King Lyrandir slaughtered every last one of them. Had to be forty men at least. All trained Dragons. I've never seen anything so fucking marvelous as the King executing that army of traitors.”
The knights looked as if they might faint while the men and women of the Castle Guard murmured in awe. Stories would be formed tonight, and they'd spread across the city by morning.
“Have fun, boys,” Aras went on. “And do hurry. The King is in a foul mood. He may start that whole slicing and dicing thing again if you don't get out of his castle fast enough.”
The knights looked at each other.
“Did you not hear him?” I snarled. “Run, you fools! Run!”
The knights spun about and ran into the castle as my mate laughed gleefully.
Chapter Thirteen
“Best date ever!” Aras declared as we strode into the royal apartments later that night. Much later that night.
There had been many things to do before I could retire for the evening. First, I had to see the Dragon knights on their way—all those noblemen walking stiffly down an aisle formed of castle guards, carrying large satchels full of their belongings. I also had to send one of them out to collect the knights who were on one of my ships, watching for the Neraky to surface. I had them pack the belongings of those knights so that they wouldn't have to return to the castle and bother me further. A few of my Argaiv guards joined the Dragons heading out to sea, to take the place of those on duty. Their senses weren't as sharp as a Dragon's, but at least they could fly. So, if the Neraky appeared, one of them could follow him while the other flew back to alert me.
Once the knights were seen to, I appointed my new King's Guard, choosing those four gate guards to be among them. That kind of loyalty had to be rewarded and, more importantly, utilized. I decided to knight them as well. If I couldn't have Dragon knights guarding me, at least I could have loyal knights. The bonus was the tizzy it would put my dread in. Knighting men from another race? Appointing them to the King's Guard? Unheard of. It made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I met with the Commander of the Castle Guard next—a Brandva named Fravar, who I had always liked. He was a no-nonsense sort of man who didn't put up with laziness or disrespect. I enlisted his aid in choosing the other men and women to serve on my King's Guard. I offered him a position, but he politely declined, preferring to keep his current one. It was a wise move. I may have been handing out knighthoods, but this, as I mentioned, was unheard of, and he wouldn't know how long that status would last. Plus, Fravar had command of the entire castle guard. That was just as impressive as an instant knighthood, if not more so.
With my security in place, I could finally relax and take my mate to the privacy of our bedroom. Although, he still didn't know it was our bedroom, that the castle was now his home as well. For as long as I could hold it. Outside the suite and scattered around the castle grounds were members of my new King's Guard as well as the Horns of the Castle Guard who were on night duty. A Dragon could defeat them, certainly, but I'd hear them coming and be able to prepare myself.
You'll need to prepare yourself for far more than that,the Eye said in my mind.
I'd been waiting for her to return, dreading her smug disdain. Best to get this over with.You were right,I said immediately.I should have listened. Thank you anyway for the warning. It helped.
She paused, then said,You're welcome. I was with you, Lyrandir. Your savagery is unmatched. I am very impressed.
Her support surprised me.Thank you.
“Why aren't you celebrating with me?” Aras demanded. Then his face twitched. “Oh. Right. You were betrayed.” He took my hand. “I'm so sorry, Ly.”
I blinked, coming out of my internal dialogue and processing the conversation happening outside my head. I cleared my throat. “Thank you, Aras. But I'm used to it. And I'm not surprised by the attack.”
“No, you didn't seem surprised,” he said gravely.
Lyrandir, they will send an army now,the Eye said.Those corpses will make them fear you, but that only means they will double their efforts.
I know, and I will prepare for that. Hopefully, I will find you in time to assist me. But tonight, I need to be with my mate. Can you give me a few more hours?
Yes, of course. We will speak in the morning.
Thank you. Goodnight.
