“Oh, that’s nice.” I beam, then instantly frown. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. She’s grumpy when she’s sleepy.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know…”
He strides over to the bed and kisses my forehead. “Go to sleep, my queen. Lie on my side.” He kisses me again. “I like seeing you there.”
Doing as he says, I cuddle his pillow and breathe in his scent. “I love you,” I murmur as I close my eyes. Sleep pulls at me quickly, my body more exhausted than I realised.
His fingers run through my hair, stroking me behind the ear. Sighing, I squeeze his pillow tight, and in my dreams, he whispers a heartfelt, “I love you too.”
Fourteen
Personal vendettas should be set aside for the good of the kingdom.
Not this one.
- King Richard
Jace is asleep on the sofa when I exit the bedroom, but he’s up and on his feet by the time I cross to the door. He opens it for me. As we step into the hall, I find Marrabel standing there with the other three guards. Glancing at her, I ask, “How is Saragese?”
“Alive, Your Majesty, but they do not know if she’ll make it through the night.”
“Then you are dismissed until tomorrow.”
“My duty –”
“Go be with her, Marrabel. That’s an order.”
Her throat works hard. Irin, Raychel, and Megan don’t say anything, but I can feel their shared pain. Saragese is a sister to them in all but blood.
Nodding sharply, Marrabel walks towards the balcony. I look at Raychel. “Get another squadron to stand in the hall. The three of you will wait inside until we return.”
I look at Megan. “If anyone gets in, change places with me immediately.” That spell is supposed to be used to take me away from danger, not pull me into it. In a split second, she’ll be where I was with Jace while I’ll be transported to my queen.
Still, she doesn’t hesitate. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Unlike my head of security, she knows how to follow a fucking order.
Turning, I head down the hall. Once on the balcony, Jace and I spread our wings and fly over to the barracks housing the Royal Guard.
It sits not far from the castle. A dozen long houses border two training areas. Swords clash. Bolts of magic fly. Kids are getting their asses kicked by adults. There is no humanity in war; there is only us vs them, and these kids need to learn that there is no such thing as dirty fighting before we send them off to die on the front lines.
As I land, the younger ones stop in their training to stand at attention. They immediately get knocked to the ground by their opponents. Getting distracted in a fight will get you killed. All you should be thinking about is survival.
A moment later, Echo is in front of us. Her uniform is immaculate, wrinkle free with not a speck of dirt on it. The dark purple and black colours of our kingdom cut across her form, and our symbol of the raven and snake is tattooed on the side of her neck. It covers a large scar from when her head was nearly blown off, but it is her eyes that demand attention. Her golden irises are speckled with the moving black shadows of the Underworld – old and eerie.
She salutes me with a fist over her chest. “Your Majesty.”
I nod. “At ease, Echo.”
“Shall we head to my office?” she asks as she lowers her arm.
“Yes, and have someone wake Fabia.”
A wry smile curls her lips. “Dish.”
“Yes, Captain?” a man asks, snapping to attention behind her.
“Go wake Fabia.”
