The messy scrawl was unmistakably Kade’s.
Killian swallowed down bile. He was going to be sick.
CHAPTER TWO
THREE SWIFT KNOCKS were Killian’s only warning of a visitor before his office door swung open and his lieutenant stepped through.
Killian sat at his desk, facing the door. At the very center of the palace, stood the Guard’s Keep, a tower that climbed high into the sky providing a vantage point over the entire estate. His office was at the top of the tower, large windows on each wall, overlooking both courtyards and giving him a view of every inch inside the inner palace.
Completely at ease, Loran smiled, showing off the two dimples in his cheeks and big soulful brown eyes. Loran’s flax colored hair was half pulled back in a simple braid, as was standard for the Guard, showing his long pointed ears.
Killian and Loran wore matching uniforms of fitted black, armored fabric with high collars and gold stitching. The royal family’s crest over his heart. A single sword was strapped to Loran’s back while Killian usually wore two.
Seeing Loran, Killian put aside the reports left for him by the night patrol to give his lieutenant his full attention.
“You asked for me, Captain,” said Loran, coming around Killian’s desk to sit on the edge to his left. Uncaring if hecrinkled any of Killian’s reports with his backside.
“Yes,” said Killian, stiffly. “Yes, I did.”
Struggling for a moment, Killian tried to find the best way to start.
Loran’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with you? You look sick.” Loran put the back of his hands to Killian’s face and then neck, checking for signs of something wrong. “Do you need me to take you over to Hokda for an exam?”
“Gods, no. Anything but that. I beg you.” Killian wrapped his hands around Loran’s wrists and pulled them from his face, returning them to the lieutenant’s side. “I’m not sick. I’m fine.”
Loran leaned back on his hands and gave Killian an appraising once over. He didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”
Killian scowled, then shifted in his seat and crossed his arms defensively. “I didn’t call you here for this.”
“Then what did you call me here for? SomethingfunI hope.”
“Oh, yes.” Killian lowered his voice and leaned in closer. “I’m sure you’ll have so muchfuntaking over my duties for a couple weeks.”
Loran blinked, taken aback. “What?”
“I have business outside of the palace. I’ll be leaving in two days time and I intend for you to be acting captain while I’m gone.”
There was a beat of silence. “Youhave business outside the palace?”
“Yes.”
“What business?”
“Personal business. What’s that face for?”
“In all the time I’ve served in the palace, you’ve never left onpersonal business.”
“Yes. Well. Nothing’s come up until now.”
“Where are you going?”
“My hometown,” said Killian shortly, not appreciating the interrogation.
“Where’s that?”
“In the south.”
Loran bit his lip, eyes alight with curiosity. “You’re not giving me much to go on here.”
