“All right, well,are theremore revolutionaries?”
The double doors were thrown open and ten servants made their way in, one after the other, surrounding our table. They placed a domed plate in front of eachrevolutionaryat the exact same time. Each cover was simultaneously lifted, causing my mouth to work. What I assumed were beef ribs looked and smelled divine. As did the colourful side of vegetables. Cutlery was in order, drinks were poured, and napkins were placed on our laps. I waited for the last remaining servant to close the door before continuing, “So, are there more of you—of us?”
CHAPTER 81
The king raised his arm, silencing me with a sharpshh. “Dinner is served,” he added flatly.
And then the whole ambience shifted.
Leannon leaned closer to Yanik. He laughed, showing interest in whatever she was whispering in his ear.
Amani cackled, hitting Ryvar’s shoulder as she shared a cheeky story about Oscar. Faern was asking Eldric about Emika’s well-being.
The sudden mood change surprised me. It had me looking at each one of them in confusion. Aegir leaned in. “We don’t scheme during dinner. We have meetings for that. During dinner, we eat as a family.”
Family.
I nodded, feeling a sense of respect for their customs. It was nice to have dinner like this. Everyone was engaged in conversations, eating, cheering, and laughing as if there was no wrong in the world. My curiosity about the term others did not leave me be, though. Aegir seemed to have noticed as he leaned in once more. “I’ll show you after dinner. I have something planned.”
I couldn’t not smile at him. “Thank you.”
“So, Wildheart, will you tell me how my horses fare?” Semuel asked, placing a chunk of sauce-drenched meat in his mouth. A small smile appeared on my face, yet my heart ached for her.“God, I wished I could have written to you, to my mother.” He ended his mumbled sentence, glaring at Ryvar.
I wished that, too. “Oh, they’re all right. All at the main stable…except for…Cinnamon. She’s at the orphanage with Linda.”
His brow lifted. “How so?”
“We journeyed west, and I asked Selmira to take care of her until I returned. I didn’t want to risk her in case I got caught.” The mere reminder of my encounter with the Naaris made it hard to swallow my food.
“I see you still ride her, then. And I’m curious, how did you manage to take her from the main stables? Did Ismail sneak her out for you?” I did not like the cheeky tone used for the latter question.
“No…Semuel…Cinnamon was injured.”
“Injured? What happened?”
“She tore a ligament during training and weeks later was scheduled to be put down. But I took her from the main stables and hid her in yours. She’s all right now. Healed.”
“You saved her life,” he said proudly. “You have no idea how many times Faern and I contemplated bringing you here. But we didn’t want to put you in danger, and I was sure that my horses would be safer in your hands. Turns out I was right. You saved my mare.”
“We did,” I replied, giving a proud smile to my soulbound. Then I looked at Semuel and said, “And by the way, she’smymare.” Semuel barked out a laugh.
“She had always been kind of yours anyway. So, will you tell me how you two met and all?”
I gave him a small smile. “I was also his servant.”
Leannon cut in. “A servant queen. Well, that’s ironic.” She ended her comment with a giggle.
Aegir let out a low chuckle. “Oh, don’t be fooled. She still acted like a queen. Bargained like one, too.” Then he looked at Semuel and said, “I tried to put out some flame once and she almost took my head off. Asked me to change rooms if it bothered me.”
Shit. That.
“You lodged in my room?” Semuel asked, raising a brow at Aegir. “Wait, did you two do it—”
I ignored Semuel’s question and in a low voice said, “Uh, Semuel, I—I took the flame, but I swear it was a lifesaver. I was never once in the dark. I’m sorry…but it’s here, I’ll give it back.”
“That flame burned for the people of Ilma and you are their queen. Keep it, Wildheart, you deserve it.”
I gave him a heartfelt smile. “So…you two have been here all along?” I asked.
