“I did not stomp on him…much,” I rumble. “He should know better than to bite a Brag.”
Reavely shrugs. “He needed taking down a peg or two, but no more stomping.”
I put my hand to my chest. “You have my bond, my king.”
“Never going to get used to that,” Reavely grumbles. “Especially from you.”
“I’m looking forward to the day you meet the Bluecap again. You’ll find out what being king means on that particular occasion.” I chuckle to myself.
“The amulet was last seen in the dungeons, where once my father had a strong box,” Reavely says.
“Then I will visit my mate and I will find the amulet.” I draw myself up to my full height. “Once I have it, we will take our leave.”
“She can stay here, if you both wish.” Reavely eyes me carefully. “While you drag the Thegn back toDeath-sele.”
“If I thought I could stop her from accompanying me, I would agree in an instant, old friend. But my lady will not be disobeyed.” I give him a deep bow but don’t remove my eyes from his face. “Even by you, my king.”
I hear Reavely’s grumbling as I leave his throne room. The chair itself was mightily uncomfortable, and he is most welcome to it. Despite the place being filled with Barghest, I can scent my sweet mate easily enough as I make my way through the stronghold to the main living quarters.
“She needs her rest,” the queen says, as I reach the door behind which I know my mate lies.
“She needs to know what our next steps are.”
Queen Wynter shakes her head slowly and rubs her hand over her stomach. “If you say so. I’d say she needs to go see her sister and find out more about who she is.”
“I want it to be that easy,” I reply. “And once the threat is gone, it will be.”
“This is the Yeavering,” Queen Wynter says. “No threat is ever really gone. You have to make a judgement as to when you can live with it and when you can’t.”
I dip my head in a bow to her as she walks down the passage to another ornate door, before I push my way into the room.
On a large bed, not dissimilar to the one owned by the witch and warlock, my mate is sitting propped up on pillows. She stares out the tall windows at the Yeavering beyond.
“My lady?”
“Warden.” She holds out her hands to me, and I join her on the bed in the blink of an eye.
“I do not like that you are ill.” I press my mouth to her hair and nibble.
“I don’t think I’m ill.” Hazel lifts one of my hands up and runs her lips over my skin.
My body instantly reacts to her, need firing through me.
“I think I’m somehow connected…with the Thegn.”
My blood drains away, leaving only ice cold muscle and death in its wake.
HAZEL
Queen Wynter is exceptional. Not only do all the Barghests within the castle look at her with respect, but she has said a few things to Warden which have made me consider both my position and what is going on.
The Yeavering is filled with surprises. We can take nothing at face value.
The voice in my head? My sudden fainting spell? It can only mean one thing. There is magic here, and somehow I have to work out what it is.
“The Thegn?” Warden queries. “If he is here, I will end him.”
My big Brag is on his feet, swarming up one of the posts from the bed to look on the top, sneezing himself off with the dust, and dropping flat to the floor in a bid to see underneath the furniture.
