Page 39 of A Tempest of Intrigue (Tempest of Shadows #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Ellery

I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him after everything we’d gone through, and I doubted he was here for a good reason. Nothing about this man was good.

Gaius grinned as he strode toward me. His black riding pants hugged his lean leg muscles, and his red shirt paired well with his coloring.

He was handsome, but something about it was wrong. No, not wrong… fake . It was all fake, and so was he.

“Ms. Marian,” he greeted as he held his arms out. “You’re just who I was looking for.”

That can’t be good.

When he stopped before me, he brought his hands down to clasp mine like we were old friends. Startled by the unexpected touch, I jerked in his grasp, but he didn’t release me.

I resigned myself to having to deal with him. At one time, my family held enough status in Tempest that there was nothing this man could do to me.

That was no longer the truth. I’d lost the protection of my parents, and Ivan’s rise to king had sent everything into a tailspin.

Now, Ivan would probably be happy to do what he could to make those who jumped at his commands happy. That could include giving me and my lands to this man.

He might not bother to give me to Gaius. Though Ryker was certain the man wanted me too, I believed he’d be fine with tossing me aside to get his hands on my manor.

These lands were mine by law, and would be handed down to my children if I ever had them, but many laws had changed since Ivan seized control. Even without all my secrets, my hold on my property was tenuous at best.

“Gaius,” I greeted. “What brings you here today?”

His smile never wavered as he squeezed my hands. “I came to see how you are faring.”

“I’m good, thank you. And how are you?”

His broad smile revealed his even white teeth. “I’m elated, milady.”

For some reason, that made the growing knot in my stomach cinch tighter; it took all I had not to shift uncomfortably. I suspected anything that made him this happy couldn’t be good for the realm.

“I’ve received fantastic news,” he continued.

“Oh? How wonderful. If you don’t mind me asking, what news is that?”

“Of course I don’t mind! Ivan has appointed me as the new captain of the king’s guard.”

I’d braced myself for whatever he revealed, but I hadn’t expected that . My complete shock must have shown as he chuckled while squeezing my hands.

It took all I had not to yank at my hands. I didn’t think he’d let me free them, and I wasn’t getting into a pissing match with this man; infuriating him, especially after he’d revealed that , would be a big mistake to make.

“I know it’s unexpected, especially since I haven’t been back in Tempest for long, but the king has noticed how beneficial I’ve been to Samael. Plus, my father made all the king’s weapons for him; he’s known me since I was a child and is aware of my history on the battlefield. I’m no Scourge of the Ghouls, but I helped win my fair share of battles.”

Was it me, or did he study me more raptly when he dropped this casual mention of Ryker? I inwardly squirmed while I smiled.

“I was leading a battalion by the war’s end and was rewarded for my efforts afterward,” Gaius continued. “But this is the biggest acknowledgment of my accomplishments yet, and I will serve my king with honor.”

“Of course you will. This is great news. Congratulations.”

I was uncomfortable with how good I’d gotten at lying, but Gaius kept grinning, so I assumed he’d bought it.

“It is a lot more responsibility than what I had with Samael, but it comes with a considerable pay raise and, of course, the knowledge I’m helping protect my king from those who would destroy my realm.”

Did others find his enthusiasm for the king and aristocrats charming, or were they as annoyed by it as me?

I was sure the nobles and Ivan lapped up his enthusiasm and ass-kissing, as well as many of his fellow guards. I was as certain most peasants would prefer to see him dead.

No matter what, this man was hunting me ; he just didn’t know it yet. That realization thrust me back to when my mother suggested I help Ryker hunt for the Hooded Robber.

The parallels were so similar, and at the time, Ryker was indifferent and borderline cruel, but he’d never unnerved me as much as Gaius. I would have gladly ripped my hands away from Ryker without fear of repercussions; I couldn’t do the same with Gaius.

I can kill him, I reminded myself, but it did little to ease my growing apprehension of this man.