Page 109

The Other Side

Tes had barely blinked against the shift in light before her upper arm was gripped in a fierce hold and she was tugged toward the side. Instinctively, she jerked back, her shoulder bumping into Ber’s with the motion. Her gaze darted toward the scowling guard who pulled at her once again. What was he doing? For all he knew, she was any other refugee.

“Unhand me,” she snapped.

“You’ll followmyorders, or you’ll die,” the guard snarled back. “Now, get over here and answer some questions.”

The man’s hold tightened, forcing a yelp of pain from her lips. She barely felt a brush of air beside her as Ber sprang into motion. Before she could react, he held a knife to the guard’s jugular.Gods, he’s fast when he wants to be.

“Release my wife,” Ber said, his voice deadly calm.

Fury lit the other man’s eyes. “You’ve come here for death. The king has given us permission to execute any who show aggression. Archers!”

Another soldier ran forward, darting around clumps of onlookers who stared at the portal with fear-glazed eyes. “Wait, Mrenth. Archers, hold fire,” the second man yelled.

The first guard’s lip curled with derision, but his voice held a calculated deference. “Yes, Captain.”

“I don’t care how you interpreted the king’s missive,” the captain said as he drew to a halt beside them. “He couldn’t have meant for you to murder a man for protecting his wife, much less assault Centoi citizens attempting to return home. For shame, Mrenth. Anyone can see that you’re holding her too tightly.”

As though his words recalled her attention to the spot, stabbing pain radiated from the man’s fingers and ran down her arm. Tes tried to flex her fingers, but her reflexes were sluggish to respond. It was a masterful grip, designed to immobilize. Then the pinch of pain flared instead of lessened, and her breath hissed out in surprise.

“Ten seconds,” Ber bit out.

“I will not take orders from—”

“Release her. Now,” the captain demanded.

One…two…

He’s not going to do it.Her heartbeat leapt and raced with sudden fear. There were archers ringing the entire clearing. Just one could…

“Ber, stop,” she muttered.

Naturally, the blasted man ignored her. But the captain’s eyes narrowed on her husband for one precious second before he lifted a hand and snapped his fingers. Mrenth’s grip loosened immediately, and he crumpled. Tes lifted her brows. Not all captains could use such command spells, and she’d had little cause to see one before. It was surprisingly disconcerting.

“Haul him to the town dungeon,” the captain called over his shoulder. “We’ll discuss his insubordination when he wakes.”

Although Tes noted hesitation in a couple of the soldiers, several rushed forward readily enough to carry Mrenth away. Ber eased back beside her with a sigh that almost sounded regretful. And it probably was. If she had to guess, she would saythat the guard would find his future stay in the palace dungeons particularly painful.

The captain interrupted her thoughts. “Please forgive this rude welcome upon your return. I am Captain Eledae, and I will be happy to personally see to your comfort while you answer the required questions. It’s the least I can do. If you’ll follow me to my field tent?”

Tension pulled her shoulders taut, and at her side, Ber likewise stiffened. The offer could be legitimately well-intentioned—or it could be a trap that would lead to disaster. But as she scanned the crowd staring at them, she couldn’t deny that it was the better option. This much attention didn’t suit their purposes. Once they disappeared from view, they would disappear from most people’s thoughts, too.

“Very well,” Tes said.

After a pointed nudge, Ber sighed again before granting his assent. Then they followed the captain through the crowd.

For good or ill.

When they reachedthe large tent at the edge of the field, Ber took one last look around before shifting in front of Tes. She was so close behind him that he could’ve sworn he felt a brush of air from her frustrated huff, but he couldn’t help it. Equal partners or not, there was no way he would let his pregnant wife enter a strange tent first. If there was a trap, he would take the fall.

Captain Eledae started to gesture them through, but his sharp gaze caught Ber’s protective stance immediately. With a quickly stifled grin, the captain ducked through the entrance first and then held back the flap for them to enter with a clear view. It didn’t take Ber long to skim the interior—a couple oftables, some chairs, a large trunk, and a cot in the corner. Not even a servant awaited their leader’s return.

As soon as they entered, the captain let the flap drop. “Please, sit.”

Ber had no intention of growing too comfortable, but he saw no reason to deny a reasonable request. So he settled beside Tes at a table holding a half-empty cup and a few scattered crumbs from an earlier meal. A large mage globe had been suspended from the top of the tent, casting the brightest light across the map spread out on the other table. As he sat across from them, the captain made no effort to hide the telling markers arranged in formations across the paper.

“I had hoped you might return through here,” Captain Eledae said. “And I’m more pleased to see that the rumors are true.”