Page 133 of A Warrior's Heart

Lorcan had only brought a small force of men with him. Reif, Nereus, Ervin, and Shar joined us, along with four other warriors. Alek had stayed in Avalontis with Theron, much to his displeasure. He hadn’t wanted Lorcan going without him, but neither wanted their son in the line of fire should the peace talks go south and a fight break out.

Malik and I had saved James. However, the human king wasn’t exactly known for being honorable, so anything was possible.

The gates opened upon our approach, and we entered the citadel where guards closely watched us. It reminded me of the first time we’d ever journeyed to Talena. Every soldier and guard had been on edge then too, their hands resting on their weapons and their muscles tense.

The large double doors of the castle swung open before King James appeared at the top of the steps. He was dressed in his best attire of red, gold, and black, and his golden hair caught the sun, as did the crown he wore.

“Prince Lorcan,” he said, smiling. “I’m honored you could make it. Come. You and your men must be tired from your journey.”

“Your warm welcome is much appreciated, King James.” Lorcan bowed his head.

The surrounding soldiers relaxed a little, though they didn’t let down their guards completely. Neither did we.

Lorcan ascended the steps with me and Malik close behind him. My bow was strapped to my back and could be in my hands at a moment’s notice, should the need arise. I hoped it wouldn’t.

Tapestries with the royal crest hung in the entrance hall, and I swept a gaze throughout the area, seeing members of the court in lavish clothing leaning against columns. Armed guards watched us. The king took a corridor on the right, his personal guards walking closely beside him. Our advance halted when James reached a closed door.

“Where are you taking us?” Lorcan asked, the polite tone from earlier gone.

“Rest your suspicious mind, little fish. I’m not leading you into a slaughter.” He pulled a key from his belt and unlocked the door. “These are my private quarters. I wanted us to have complete privacy when we negotiate.”

Lorcan’s brow dipped in the center. “Some of your people disagree with this truce.”

James flashed a thin smile. “We will speak inside. I hope you will do me the courtesy of asking your men to wait outside the door.”

“Absolutely not,” Malik said. “How do we know you won’t kill him once that door closes?”

“I expect for you to join us, guard.” James then looked at me. “You too, my beautiful one. My guards will join the discussion as well.”

Malik exchanged a look with Reif, who nodded. Then he glanced at Ervin. The assassin bowed his head. Shar stepped closer to Nereus but kept his gaze on James.

“Very well,” Malik said, turning back to the human king. “But I will enter first.”

“Suit yourself.” James motioned to the doorway.

I panicked a little when Malik stepped forward.

What if right when he walked into the room, someone stabbed him? Put an arrow into his chest? My feet moved on impulse, but my lover had expected it of me. He reached back and grabbed my wrist to stop me. Then, he walked through the doorway.

James entered after him, followed by Lorcan and me. The king’s guards closed the door after stepping in behind us.

The private dining chamber had a set of windows toward the back and a fireplace with plushy chairs in front of it. Paintings hung on the wall, some of them scenic while others were of nude men.

James approached the rectangular table in the room and took the chair at the end. Four other chairs sat around it. I spotted a glass pitcher filled with dark red liquid in the center of the table, along with a bowl of fruit and bread. Lorcan pulled out the chair beside James and sat while the rest of us stood.

“Sit, my beauty,” James said to me, waving a hand to the empty chairs. His topaz eyes watched me as I took the seat beside Lorcan. “Would either of you care for some wine?”

“Cut the pleasantries, James,” Lorcan snapped. “I came here to negotiate for peace, not play nice and drink your wine.”

“Very well.” James poured himself a glass and took a drink before clasping his hands in front of him. “Let’s not waste time then. I’m prepared to call a ceasefire and rejoin the treaty.”

“No,” Lorcan said, shaking his head.

“So this was a farce?” James questioned. “You don’t want peace?”

“No, I do. But I don’t want to rejoin the old treaty. It was created hundreds of years ago. The world was a different place back then, with different rulers, my father amongst them. Seeing how he is no longer the ruler of the sea, I declare we write our own agreement.”

“The sea god still hasn’t returned then,” James said.