“This is my home, and I will do as I please."
He narrowed his gaze at me and the golden runes on his face almost seemed to darken with his eyes.
“I’m fine,” I said. “I was hoping you discovered something here. Anything that could tell us what happened to Laoise.”
“Let’s speak in another room.” Pressing a hand on my back, he urged me out the door.
Anna hid behind my hair, sliding to the other shoulder, peeking around at Tallis.
“It’s better if we speak in here,” he said, taking me to one of the drawing rooms. “Let me check it first.”
He opened the door and walked in.
Anna had a mischievous smile on her face.
“What’s that look for?” I asked.
“Did you notice how red his cheeks got when he saw you? I think you made him blush.”
“Shh. Keep your comments to yourself.”
Anna raised an eyebrow and Tallis reappeared. “It’s safe. Come inside.”
“I’m going to go check on Olivia. You really upset her.” Anna gave a wave before fluttering off down the hallway, leaving Tallis and me very alone.
I held the robe tighter, realizing that maybe I had been hasty running out with just this flimsy covering.
“Are you cold?” Tallis asked, guiding me to the chaise close by the fireplace.
“A little.”
It would be a few more months until winter would be here, yet its chill seemed to fill this castle now.
“I’ll make a fire, sit.”
Taking a seat, I tucked my legs under me and rested against the plush fabric. I noticed a speck of dirt embedded under my nail, and I scraped the remnant away. Then I inspected each finger carefully, not knowing what else to do in this moment.
“Hey.” Tallis took my hand and squeezed it. “We’ll find out what happened. I’m sorry I failed her, and I failed you.”
“You didn’t fail us. Don’t say that.”
“Just as King Kyros said, I am the head of your guard. It is my duty to protect the royal line.”
I grabbed his hand within both of mine and squeezed. “Kane is all that matters now. We must protect him at all costs.”
“Yes, my queen,” Tallis said, his grip and voice a calming balm to the storm in my head.
Shivering, I tugged the robe tighter, breaking away from Tallis. He stood and took the thick fur laying across the settee.
“Lay down,” he said softly, and placed the blanket across me.
“I can’t sleep,” I said as a yawn slipped out. “Did you find anything out? Is it possible someone did this?”
The fire made the runes around his eyes glow. His blond hair that was normally slicked back in a ponytail had come undone, and one strand brushed across his sharp cheekbone. “I did find something.”
Chapter Four
Tallis
