“I have orders from the magistrate,” he replied smugly as if certain he outranked a mere guard.
“And since when does a magistrate overwrite the will of the Lock Lords.” Justin stepped forward. Dirty, and dressed like a commoner, he still exuded the power of a duke.
“Your Grace.” He lost his smirk. “I didn’t see you there.”
“You overreach yourself. I will be talking to your boss. This is the second time one of his guards thought they had more jurisdiction than they do.” He infused thick disappointment in his tone. He would make an excellent father.
The soldier paled, then nodded. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but is it true that this person”—he gave a scornful glare at Oss— “is in charge of the city below.”
“Yes. He is the magical ruler and rightful heir. They have acknowledged him as their leader, and it isn’t our place to contradict their will.” Justin tilted his chin up just enough to enforce the I’m-better-than-you effect.
The guard stepped back and motioned his people to do the same.
Once again, we walked through a gauntlet of soldiers. The hairs on my neck prickled as they stood at attention. Old habits had me hating people with weapons at my back. Justin returned to my side and placed a reassuring hand at the base of my spine.
“Only a little farther, little wren, and we will be in the clear,” he reassured me.
I nodded but didn’t speak. It would only take a second for everything to go wrong and Justin was holding his baby.
His confidence didn’t transfer to me.
We reached the open gateway to the City of Magic without any further resistance.
Too easy, my inner voice whispered.
