“Amos,” Rennick greeted gruffly, surveying the carnage. He dismounted, followed by the guards with him. “Is anyone hurt?”
Amos reluctantly looked away from Clover and glanced at Sariah and Ruth, who shook their heads. “No. We were ambushed, but the attack was unorganized and sloppy.”
“They’re Mountain rebels,” one of the men with Rennick said. He had a tall, muscular build, warm umber skin, and a shaved head. “Why would they lie in wait for the Desert King?”
“I don’t think they knew I was the king,” Amos replied. “The border guards didn’t.”
“Stay here and search the bodies,” Rennick told his guards. “I’ll take our guests to the palace and send warriors to help clean this up.”
The Mountain King turned back to the Desert group. He nodded at Sariah and Ruth, and when his eyes got to Clover, they flared then softened slightly. “Hello, Clover. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
“What do you mean, ‘in person?’” Amos asked with an edge of warning.
Rennick’s mouth tilted with amusement, and he gestured to Eddy at Clover’s feet. “You’re not the only one watching your sister through yourfamiliar. I should have known he was afamiliar.” He gestured to Clover. “It was nice of you to bring Amelia’s friend. She’ll be relieved to see her.”
Amos cleared his throat, betraying his unease. “It was my pleasure.”
Rennick studied Amos and Clover closely, narrowing his eyes slightly. No one outside of the Hydra knew they were mates, let alone married. Announcing her as the queen to their kingdom would take careful planning. For almost a decade, their people thought Jennifer was Amos’ mate. Announcing who she was to him in front of the Mountain Kingdom guards would not be wise. Word traveled fast.
Eddy ran to Rennick and yipped. He bent down and picked up the fox, frowning. “Where is his sweater?”
“He doesn’t need one,” Amos grumbled, earning him a brooding glare from Rennick, who turned to his horse and dug a small sweater out of his bag and tugged it over Roland’s head.
“We’ll take you back to the palace.” Rennick said, giving Amos a knowing look. “I’ll introduce you to my mate.”
The palace was in complete chaos when they arrived. Rebels had attacked, breaching the south walls, and Rennick transformed before Amos’ eyes.
Rennick turned his wild eyes to Amos. “Find Amelia. I have to help my men. She has my best warrior protecting her and is probably hidden.”
Amos turned to his group in time to see Ruth and Clover disappear into the fray to help fight the rebels.
He started after them, but Sariah grabbed his arm. “If you drag her inside, she’ll never forgive you.”
Amos knew she was right, but fuck, Clover was his mate. He couldn’t risk losing her.
“She is as good a fighter as you are,” Sariah added. “There’s nothing you can do that she can’t. If she is to defend our people, you have to trust her to defend herself.”
Amos ran a hand through his hair and nodded. “Let’s go find my sister.” They ran toward the palace, dodging warriors and rebels, and when they approached the palace doors, Mountain guards blocked them.
“I am Amos Stratton,” he said. “Desert King. I’ve been sent by King Rennick to find his mate and ensure her safety.”
The guards didn’t budge, so Amos glamoured himself invisible then reappeared. The men stood their ground. Impressive, but he might kill them if they didn’t move.
Before he could, Callum burst out of the doors and slid to a stop. “Amos?”
“Rennick sent me to find Amelia.”
“I left her with Echo and Reyna.” His eyes glazed over for a second. “Reyna said they’re in a closet off the hallway near the library.” He turned to one of the guards. “Take him to the hallway and help him search every closet.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Callum nodded to Amos and ran into the fight. “My apologies, Your Grace,” the guard said to Amos.
“I appreciate you doing your job,” Amos said. “Lead the way.”
They ran until they reached a smaller hall. “This is it.”
There had to be a hundred doors. Great.
