“Your Majesty!” A Deldin man dressed in fine clothing stepped up to us and bowed. “I am your humble servant, Governor Juvin Harsho.”
“Yes, of course. How are you, Governor?”
“Much better now that our people have been returned to us!” He opened his arms and lifted his long, furred, pale ears as he turned in a circle to encapsulate the crowd. They cheered as the governor came back to face the King. “You are as heroic as the stories say, Your Majesty. We cannot thank you enough for returning our lost ones.”
“I'm glad I happened across them.” The Dragon King lifted a hand and smiled at the cheering crowd. “It was luck that brought me to your people. But now that I'm aware of the threat within my kingdom, I will handle it. The Crimson Feathers will be brought to heel!”
The crowd cheered again.
Tara huddled against her husband.
“My love, are you well?” Turinoca stroked Tara's arm and bent his head to her. “Did they hurt you?”
Tara looked at me.
I stared back, silently telling her it was her choice what she wanted to share with her husband.
“Not badly,” she murmured. “I just need some rest.”
“Of course.” He inclined his head to the King, but the King's attention was on the Governor, who was prattling on about a celebration they would have that evening in honor of His Majesty's heroism.
Seeing Turinoca's behavior toward Tara changed my mind about him. She had been abused, and so I saw myself in her, but she wasn't cringing away from her husband. And calling a wife a prize was not unheard of in this region, especially in an arranged marriage. He obviously cared about her. I had to stop seeing the world through the lens of my trauma.
“Go,” I said. “I'll tell the King that Tara needed to rest.”
“Thank you, sir.” Turinoca inclined his head to me.
“Uh, will you attend the celebration tonight?” I asked before they could leave.
“That's up to my wife.” Turinoca looked at Tara. “Do you think you'll be up to it, my cornflower?”
“Yes, that would be nice. I just need to bathe and rest first.”
Bathe. That was it. I knew firsthand how filthy she would feel. She couldn't even start to heal until their filth had been washed away.
“I'll look forward to seeing all of you there tonight,” I said.
“Ah, you're attending?” The Dragon King turned back to our conversation.
“Yes, they need to go now. Tara's tired.” I laid a hand on the King's arm. “But they'll come back tonight.”
“Wonderful.” The King smiled at Tara. “I'm relieved to see you reunited with your family, Tara.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Tara bowed her head.
“Thank you,” her husband repeated and then ushered her toward the horses.
I watched Turinoca mount and then help Tara onto the horse behind him. Tara looked my way, and our gazes met. Her lips shifted up slightly, and she lifted a hand. I lifted mine in return. In a thunder of hooves, she was gone. I prayed she was where she wanted to be.
“She's fine.” The Dragon King laid a hand on my shoulder. “She needs time to heal, that's all.”
I nodded and looked at the dispersing crowd. Families were headed to their homes with their returned loved ones clutched close.
“The local Talons have taken the prisoners for now,” he went on. “And we've been given rooms at the hotel. Come, let's make use of them.”
As Raven escorted me across the street to a two-story building, I peered down the road. The town was small, but still large enough for a governor and a Talon force. It was surprising that Nahel would take people from there. Bold.
“Why didn't the Talons stop Nahel's men?” I asked as we climbed the wooden steps, our footsteps echoing hollowly.
