Page 20

TRISTAN

I find Commander Klemat standing outside his tent, a mug of ale in hand.

He’s alone and thank the gods for that. He tenses when he notices me stalking in his direction.

Given my dark mood, I don’t blame the highborn male.

He likely worries I’m on my way to berate him for some failing during the recent battle.

I glance around the area, and though this section of the camp isn’t very crowded, I quickly erect a soundproof bubble, wanting our conversation to be private. The commander’s eyebrows lift slightly, and I know he senses the magic I just used.

Well, at least my magic appears to be in working order. I can summon wings, and I can create wards. But for some reason, it would seem Amelia can bypass both the soundproof wards and the protective wards I’ve placed around my tent.

Her ability to so easily bypass my wards makes me wonder if perhaps she can bypass wards erected by other highborn fae. Which is why I’ve come calling on Commander Klemat. Of all my commanders and soldiers, he strikes me as the most trustworthy.

Gods, I miss my childhood friend Kaiden.

We were raised together and he’s like a brother to me, and until about a year and a half ago, he was part of the Summer Court army.

Well, technically he’s still part of the army, but Prince Lucas appointed him to become the Warden of Trevos, and he’s remained in the human city ever since with his part-human, part-fae mate Mira.

If Kaiden were here right now, I could confide in him and ask him to help me test Amelia’s abilities to bypass fae wards. Instead, I must take a risk and hope Commander Klemat is as loyal as he seems.

“Good evening, General Dalgaard,” Commander Klemat says in a wary tone once I reach his tent. “Is something amiss? Would you like a mug of ale?”

I swallow hard and will myself to speak in a civil tone.

It’s not his fault I might have a problem on my hands.

A big fucking problem. How will I keep Amelia from running away if she can just walk straight through my wards?

I’ll have to keep soldiers posted outside my tent at all times, and I’ll have to order soldiers to guard her carriage when we’re traveling.

I can only imagine the additional gossip that will cause among my soldiers.

“Good evening, Commander Klemant,” I finally say. “No, thank you, I don’t require a mug of ale. I’ve come to ask for your help, as well as your discretion, as I attempt to sort out a delicate matter that involves my war prize.”

His mouth drops open for a moment, then he takes a long swig of ale, no doubt in an effort to hide his surprise. He swallows the ale quickly. “I would be honored to help you, General, and I promise your secrets are safe with me.”

I study him for a moment, trying to ascertain whether he’s attempting to ingratiate himself to me, or if he’s being genuine.

Perhaps a mix of both. In any case, there’s no time to delay.

If Amelia can bypass not only my wards, but wards created by other highborn fae, I need to know about her skills immediately.

“Thank you, Commander. If you help me, and if you speak of this matter to no one, I will be in your debt. I will owe you a favor of equal magnitude.”

His eyes flare with shock, and he’s not the only one who’s experiencing that particular emotion.

In my nine hundred plus years, I’ve never been in debt to anyone or promised a favor in return for some service.

I’ve never liked the idea of being in debt to a fellow highborn fae, but here I am, anxious to discover what’s going on with my war prize.

“Tell me what you require of me, General,” the commander says, “and as long as it’s within my power, I will help you.”

“Walk with me,” I reply, knowing the soundproof bubble will remain intact as we navigate the camp.

We set off, and I explain my desire for the commander to create a protective ward around my tent that should, in theory, keep Amelia from leaving. Unless it doesn’t. Unless she can bypass his wards just as she’s able to circumvent mine.

I don’t give him any more details than necessary; I simply tell him what I need him to do.

I’m sure he’ll infer the problem I’m having with Amelia if she steps outside the tent after he creates a protective ward, but it can’t be helped.

I remind myself that he’s promised secrecy, and by assisting me this evening, he’s earning a favor.

As soon as we reach my tent, I dismiss Officers Zants and Vernn.

I don’t ask them if Amelia gave them any trouble during my absence, though I am anxious to step inside and discover whether my war prize is in restraints.

I pray she behaved herself. I pray she’s not tied up inside my tent.

I doubt she would ever forgive me for such brutal treatment, and I’m also not sure I would be able to allow Officers Zants and Vernn to live after knowing they put their hands on her, never mind that they would’ve only been following orders.

I face Commander Klemat. “I must speak with my war prize, but I’ll be back in a moment, then you can build the protective ward around my tent… and we’ll see what happens.”

“Understood, sir.” He straightens and I can’t help but think it’s a bit comical that he’s still holding the mug of ale. But it gives a casual appearance to our clandestine activities, and if anyone’s watching us at this late hour, they’ll likely think we’re enjoying a social occasion.

I step into the tent, and relief fills me when I spot Amelia pacing the area freely. She halts in her tracks and gives me a murderous look.

“How dare you?” She blinks fast, and I despair over the gleam of tears in her eyes.

I growl. I can’t help it. “Surely you must realize that if you can bypass my wards, sweet human, I’ll have no choice but to keep you guarded every hour of the day.”

“Guards? You really think guards are necessary? There are twenty-eight thousand fae soldiers in this camp. Do you really think I’m capable of sneaking away and escaping the notice of that many fae?”

“To be honest, I don’t know what you’re capable of. You shouldn’t be able to walk beyond my protective wards, nor should you be able to hear what’s going on outside the tent. Yet you can. So very easily.”

“In that case, perhaps you should just let me go.” She crosses her arms over her chest and lifts her chin, her demeanor so beautifully defiant that I wish I could kiss her right now.

But she would probably try to bite off my tongue, and there’s no time. Commander Klemat is waiting.

I sigh and glance at the tent flap, then I direct my focus on her. “I’m not letting you go, sweet human.” I step closer, until my body is almost touching hers and she’s forced to angle her neck to peer up at me. “You’re mine, and I intend to keep you. Possibly forever. Probably forever .”

She pales, and her eyes glimmer with hurt. My chest abruptly aches, and sorrow becomes a heaviness that weighs my entire body down. It’s as though I can sense the turmoil she’s feeling, and gods how it runs deep. I almost gasp. Am I imagining it, or am I actually detecting her emotions right now?

“Forgive me,” she says in a taunting tone.

“I seem to have forgotten my place. Given how gently you’ve treated me thus far, it’s sometimes easy to forget that I’m your war prize.

But that’s what I am, isn’t it? I’m your human captive, and you’re my fae master.

I’m nothing to you but a warm hole you’re eventually going to decide to fuck.

” She emits a crazed laugh and shakes her head slightly.

“Maybe you should stop being so gentle. Maybe you should treat me the way your soldiers treat their war prizes. Maybe you should hurt me and make me scream for the whole camp to hear.”

I force in a deep breath. “You can goad me all you like, Amelia, but I will never hurt you. If I ever make you scream for the whole camp to hear, it’ll be when I’m feasting on your pussy—at your own invitation—and your cries of pleasure are rending the night while you shatter on my tongue.”

She gasps, and her eyes widen with outrage. “I am not goading you. And I will never invite you to-to… do what you just described.”

“Feast on your pussy?” I grin when she flushes bright red.

“Are you sure you don’t want to invite me to do that right now?

Because despite what I’m sure are your best efforts, you’re aroused, sweet human.

” I flare my nostrils and inhale deeply, just for show.

“I can easily detect the slickness that’s growing between your thighs, and it’s not the first time I’ve smelled it.

Frequently when I’m close to you, you become excited. ”

She shakes her head. “No, no, you’re lying. I’m not… aroused .” She whispers the last word as though it’s the most scandalous curse in existence.

“I’ve never lied to you, sweet human, nor do I ever intend to. I want there to be honesty between us.”

She snorts. “As much honesty as can exist between a slave and her master?”

“You’re not my slave, and I’m not your master.” Except, I am her master. In a way. I captured her, and I’m refusing to let her go. But I’m not ordering her around and forcing her into my bed.

“Slave, prisoner, war prize, call me whatever you’d like, but I’m not free, and I’m living under your authority.

Whatever happens to me, whether I live or die, whether I’m hurt or tormented, is tied to you and the decisions you make.

” Her bottom lip trembles, and I long to gather her in my arms. But I doubt she would accept my comfort when I’m the source of her grief.

“I’m at your mercy,” she continues. “Do you know what it’s like to be at someone’s complete mercy? ”

“Amelia, sweet human, I am sorry you’re upset, truly I am, and I am sorry I’m the cause of your distress.

I hope we can continue this conversation later.

But right now, I need to test whether you can bypass the wards of all highborn fae.

Commander Klemat is waiting outside. After I step out, he’s going to erect a protective ward around the tent, and I want you to try to leave. ”

“Very well.” Her tone is bitter. “I suppose you need to figure out whether you must keep me surrounded by your soldiers going forward. What an embarrassment it would be for you if your war prize managed to escape.”

She’s upset, and rightfully so. As I head for the tent flap, I consider how I might mend the difficulties between us. She wants freedom, but it’s the one thing I refuse to give her. If I continue treating her with gentleness, will she learn to be content as my war prize?

“If you managed to escape, Amelia, I would be too concerned about your safety, knowing that you would be wandering through the dangerous, ussha-blessed forest, to even feel any embarrassment. I would be fraught with worry, and I wouldn’t stop looking for you.”

Most of the fire leaves her eyes, and her expressions softens a bit. She no longer appears angry enough to plunge a knife into my heart. But she doesn’t respond to my truthful and somewhat vulnerable statement, so I step out of the tent.

It’s time for the test.