Page 134

Barely visible behind Johesha, Lachlan caught the movement of her head, just over his shoulder. The closer they drew to the tree line, Lachlan could see she was wielding a set of daggers, one in each hand, protecting Johesha’s back.

Lachlan’s chest expanded with pride.

As much as he wanted to rush the field toward her, he checked his impulse, and his eyes jumped to the roof of the pen. Tarley wouldn’t forgive him if there were others to save, if they had the opportunity to bring this group to justice and hadn’t–

“There’s a cage of women and children in the southwest corner of the camp,” Lachlan stated, swallowing any trepidation he had for Tarley and trusting Johesha. “And if this is Feidel, we are duty bound to respond not only for Jast, but for the new treaty with Kaloma.”

Mallor straightened, his features relaxing a touch as he looked at Lachlan. “What are you suggesting?”

Lachlan looked around at the group. They were twenty strong. Capable soldiers with horses. “We take them all.”

Mallor turned to Major Urik. “Assessment?”

“With horses, it’s possible, Your Majesty.”

Mallor nodded, turning back to Lachlan when a crack beyond rang out in the woods like a shot. The entire group swiveled toward it, swords and bows raised.

“Whoa,” Nixus Uraiahs said, stepping out from behind a tree, hands up and empty. He was dressed in a black suit as if he were off to a dinner party. “Not the enemy. Not today, at least. I’ve come to offer my aid.”

“Stand down,” Lachlan said and pushed through the soldiers between them. “Dressed like that?”

Nixus smirked. “As you see.”

“How did you–”

“Auri told me.”

Lachlan glanced around looking for a horse, “But, how–”

Nix stepped forward and leaned a touch closer to Lachlan. “It’s probably best to just suspend your questions, young prince. The answers might be more than you’re ready to consider at present.” He smiled a dark smile. “But our goals are aligned.”

Lachlan frowned but said, “My thanks.”

“Thanks aren’t unnecessary. I would destroy the universe for Auri.”

Lachlan couldn’t fault him for it, though the sentiment was rather dark. “Do you need a weapon?”

Nix smiled another of his unnerving smiles. “I’ve an arsenal at my disposal.”

Confused, Lachlan couldn’t see any.

Nix chuckled again. “My weapons are best showcased in action.”

Unsettled by Auri’s strange suitor, who rarely made sense, Lachlan turned back toward the meadow, and his father.

His father’s eyes met Lachlan’s. “The prince makes this decision,” Mallor said, his gaze never wavering.

Lachlan offered an imperceptible nod to his father, a way to communicate that he accepted his trust, and said, “Here’s the plan.”

39

Tarley held the daggers at the ready, each step backward feeling too slow, too clumsy. Romis—Captain Johesha between them—was yelling at the men to “stay back” and to “make way” creating a wide swath allowing them to pass, but the passage collapsed around them as she and Johesha moved through it.

“Captain,” Tarley said, beginning to panic, her heart racing in her chest and her muscles tight with tension. She gripped the daggers tighter. The men behind her pressed in closer, their faces twisted with an appetite to destroy. She raised her daggers, forcing herself to appear as if she was confident to use them, but knowing she was completely unprepared. Her father had taught her to defend herself, but not to go to battle with weapons.

“Focus, my lady,” Johesha said.

“But–”