There was a shadow in Rob’s eyes. A suspicious troll might think it had to do with treachery and in Rob’s case, it could be true. But for the moment, he decided to trust him.
He held his arm out toward his cousin.
Rob didn’t hesitate to take it and shake. “Ride with the gods. I’ll try and keep the others off your tail.”
Because if a coup happened, Rob and his family could easily lose their lives too.
A reckoning would remove Xaydin’s brother from the throne, and given Gregun’s part in the death of Xaydin’s father, he’d be the second troll they’d hang for treason. Then they’d go after all of Gregun’s kin.
Gregun knew that and so did Rob. He would respect his cousin’s desire to keep his father from losing his life, and protect his own family.
Would have been nice had Rob helped Xaydin’s father keep his, but he wouldn’t hold that against his cousin. Rob had beenyoung back then. No doubt terrified of Gregun. After all, if he’d kill his brother, he was just as likely to kill his younger son.
Xaydin didn’t envy Rob his position. At least he’d never doubted his father’s loyalty or love.
He couldn’t imagine being terrified that his father might kill him.
As bad as his mother was, she would never stoop that low.
Without another word, Xaydin led Gisela and the others back upstairs.
They had barely reached the steps when Candara stopped walking. Cocking her head, she appeared to be listening. Xaydin knew her expression. She was having a vision about something.
“What’s going on?” he asked Masakage.
Masakage didn’t answer. Instead, he swapped a scowl with their sister. “What are they saying?”
“Your enemies have changed.” Candara turned a slow circle as if she were searching for something. She looked at Xaydin. “We need to go. Now!”
No one questioned her order. They quickly gathered their things and headed for the stable.
Gisela had tried to carry Xaydin’s saddlebags, but he wouldn’t allow it as he draped them over his shoulder. “Your pride is going to get the better of you.”
“So be it. My father would come back from the grave if I betrayed the ethics he taught me.” And with that, he took hers as well.
“I can do for myself.”
He tsked at her. “This isn’t because I think you’re weaker or that you lack the ability to defend yourself. It’s courtesy, princess. Plain and simple. Done because I care about you and respect you, not because I’m trying to belittle you.”
Those words made her feel awful that she’d misjudged him. “I’m sorry, X. I’m not used to having anyone look after me.”
“I know.” He put his arm around her and gave a light squeeze. “You’re not alone now, Gisela. Let someone fight beside you.”
“I’m trying.”
Xaydin leaned down to kiss the top of her head before he released her. He more than understood and wasn’t offended by the fact that she had a hard time accepting his help. It was just as difficult for him to do the same. Too many years of being alone had a way of doing that.
Mistrust. Anger. Those were mother’s milk to him. Which allowed him to understand why she could be equally as prickly. With anyone else, he’d be angry.
With her…
He was charmed.
There’s something profoundly wrong with me.
He’d never argue that. It was something all the Outlaws had notated long ago.
Once they were in the stables, he handed Gisela her saddlebags from his shoulder while he saddled his horse.
