Page 9

TRISTAN

It’s just as I suspected. As I feared. The pretty little human married the old lord who lived outside of Sorsston, and the bastard abused her.

Guilt spreads through me. Fuck, I should’ve followed my instincts and stolen away with Amelia before her wedding date. I should’ve taken her moments after Prince Lucas left her at her parents’ doorstep.

Murderous impulses also pervade my senses. Whether or not Amelia informs me of the old lord’s name, I will find him, and I will kill him. Slowly. Painfully. I’ll make him regret being born.

“Amelia?” I prompt. “His name. Please.”

Her eyes widen. “Are you… serious? Do you truly intend to bring me his head?” She readjusts the blanket around her shoulders and emits a soft sigh, and I’m pleased that she’s no longer in the throes of panic.

“Of course I intend to bring you his head. He hurt you, and surely he deserves to die.”

“I’m not certain what to say, and I’m also not certain how I feel about you killing him and presenting me with his head.” She exhales a deep, shuddering breath. “Don’t get me wrong. I have no desire to protect him, and maybe he does deserve to die, but shouldn’t we leave his fate up to the gods?”

“Some things should be left to fate,” I say as I once again wonder if she’s the female the gods have marked as mine, “but I don’t believe punishment for wicked deeds should be left to fate.

I’m perfectly capable and willing to mete out justice on your behalf.

" Not only that, but I consider it my sacred duty to avenge the wrongs that were committed against her.

Gods, she’s not my mate— yet , my mind whispers—but I’m already acting like she is.

She opens her mouth and appears ready to speak, only to press her lips together and give her head a slight shake.

“I can’t. I can’t just give you his name and allow you to kill him.

No matter how wicked he might be. No matter how much he hurt me.

It feels wrong to speak a name, any name, and know that it’ll result in that person’s death. ”

“I know he lives on the outskirts of Sorsston,” I tell her.

She gives me a skeptical look. “What are you going to do? Fly all the way to Sorsston and start knocking on doors?”

“I might.” I consider her family members that live in Sorsston.

Her parents, as well as her four older sisters, all of whom are happily married, at least according to what she told Prince Lucas.

Yet she fled the Sorsston area, and she traveled all the way to Glenville on foot, an impressive feat for a tiny human female.

“Why didn’t you ask your parents or sisters for help, Amelia?

” I ask gently. “Or did they refuse to hide you from your husband?”

A shadow crosses her face. “My father pretty much sold me to Lord Nev… uh, to the old lord. I overheard them talking about the payment on my wedding day, though my mother denied it when I asked her about it. It’s possible she didn’t know.

I would like to think she didn’t know. Anyway, as a result, I couldn’t return to my parents’ house. ”

“What about your sisters? Wouldn’t any of them provide you refuge?”

Her eyes dim, and she shakes her head. “Their husbands would never allow it. None of them would dare to defy Lord Nevel. He’s one of the wealthiest lords in the area, and he also employs many soldiers.

” She sighs. “Even if I thought one of my sisters’ husbands would agree to grant me refuge, I wouldn’t want to put them in danger like that.

Oh, gods, I just realized I accidentally spoke the old lord’s name. ”

“You did, and I appreciate it. It’ll save me from knocking on doors.” I offer her what I hope is a comforting look. “I’m sorry you couldn’t seek help from any of your family members, sweet human.”

“Thank you.” She frowns. “My father is probably livid with me, but my mother and sisters are likely worried sick. I’m sure they know I’ve disappeared by now. Lord Nevel’s soldiers probably questioned them and searched their homes, which I feel terrible about.”

“Would you like to send your mother and sisters a letter?” I ask before I can think better of it. Gods, am I actually offering to permit my little war prize to write a letter to her family?

Her head shoots up. “Really? You would allow me to write to them?”

I give a cautious nod. “Yes, but there would be conditions.”

“Conditions? Like not revealing the location of the Summer Court army?” For a split second, her eyes glint with mischief.

“Exactly.”

Movement and shadows outside the tent catch my notice, and I suspect a commander is trying to get my attention. I rise to my feet and cast a glance at the closed tent flap.

“Are you leaving?” There’s a note of alarm in Amelia’s voice. “Is-is there going to be another battle? Are you going to conquer another human town?”

I turn to face her, and I strive to gentle my expression. “I must leave you alone for a little while and confer with my commanders. It’s possible there will be another battle soon. There always is. Unfortunately, orcs and humans keep attacking our new settlements.”

“I see.” She regards me with a questioning look. “What about a treaty? Have you ever considered making a peace treaty with human and orc territories?”

“I’m a general, not a royal. Besides, there are four fae courts, and a treaty with human and orc territories would likely require the agreement of the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter courts.

I doubt it would ever happen, particularly when the courts are changing and ussha is spreading so rapidly across the realm.

” I consider my next words carefully. “Our priestesses tell us that we’re on the verge of a new age.

An age of total fae rule across the known realm.

They say it’s inevitable, and they say we must continue fighting those who attack our settlements.

They say we must fight and see the prophecy fulfilled.

” I briefly glance over my shoulder as the shadows near the tent flap shift again, then return my attention to the pretty little female.

“Total fae rule,” she whispers as she grows pale. “I see.” Her shoulders slump a bit, and her expression becomes troubled.

Regret wells inside me. I long to stay and comfort her, but I really must see what the commanders want. No one else in the army would dare to bother my warded tent. They might have news about another attack on a fae settlement.

I tell myself that Amelia will be safe inside my tent, and I will speak with her later and offer her reassurance. Life as she knows it in the human territories might be ending, but she’ll always be safe. I will protect her from any danger.

“I will return as soon as I can, sweet human.” I gesture at the large desk that’s pushed against the far wall. “You may sit there and write letters to your family members if you wish. There is plenty of paper, ink, and quills. Please help yourself.”

I spin on my heel and exit the tent. Sure enough, about half of my commanders are standing outside, and none of them appear pleased that I kept them waiting.

I draw myself up taller and summon an aura of power and violence that causes each of them to take several steps back.

Commander Marss even lowers his head briefly.

“What news do you bring, commanders?” I ask, my gaze sweeping around the area. The nearest tents are far enough away that I won’t need to erect a soundproof bubble to keep others from overhearing our conversation.

“There’s been trouble in Sorsston,” Commander Klemat says.

“Warden Xall, as well as over twenty Summer Court soldiers, perished during an evening meal. Poison is suspected, though thus far, the servants in the castle aren’t being very forthcoming.

Somehow, even when glamoured, the servants don’t confess the truth.

They simply remain silent with a vacant expression. ”

It takes a lot to shock me, but this news does. I strive to maintain an impassive expression, however, as I contemplate the gravity of the situation.

The human servants, or whoever was involved in the deaths of Warden Xall and over twenty Summer Court soldiers, will face a grim fate.

Torture, and eventually, a slow and painful execution.

Their heads will remain on the parapet at Sorsston as a warning to others long after the crows have finished picking at their eyes.

Sorsston. Gods, am I really about to lead the Summer Court army back to Sorsston? It would appear so. But my resolve wavers a bit as I think about Amelia. How will she react to being brought back to her home city?

Fuck, I can’t let her know about the servants in the castle and their probable involvement in the deaths of Warden Xall and the twenty-plus soldiers.

I’m not certain how long she worked in the castle, but if she counts some of her fellow servants as friends, she will likely be devastated by this recent development.

I clear my throat, draw myself up taller, and stare at the commanders.

“Prepare a contingent of fifty highborn fae to descend on the Sorsston castle as quickly as they can fly. Commander Groff, you will lead this contingent. Secure the castle, imprison every castle servant, and return the city to lockdown. No one comes in, and no one goes out.”

“Understood, General Dalgaard,” Commander Groff says, and the other commanders soon voice their agreement.

“Despite the loss of over twenty Summer Court soldiers, there should be about eighty soldiers left in Sorsston. The highborn contingent can also help reinforce their patrols and help keep the human occupants of the city in line.” I glance to the north.

“The Winter Court army is currently razing the northern orc villages that recently attacked fae settlements, and with the Autumn Court army moving in from the west, and the Spring Court army moving in from the east, I believe we should focus more on protecting the southern fae settlements near Sorsston and even farther south. Therefore, the Summer Court army will set out for Sorsston early tomorrow morning, and we should arrive at that godsblasted human city within four days.”

The commanders murmur their approval of my plan.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before I led the army south again.

Though we’re not at war with the other fae courts, we’re not exactly at peace with them either, and King Haratt has ordered me to avoid conflict with the Spring, Autumn, and Winter courts at all costs.

Though I lament the deaths of Warden Xall and the twenty-plus soldiers in Sorsston, perhaps this occurrence is a sign from the gods that it’s time to leave the human and orc territories near the Warrlish Mountains.

I issue a few final orders, and then I dismiss the commanders.

I turn and face my tent, and my heart skips a beat knowing Amelia is waiting inside. The beautiful female who might very well be my fated mate. My little war prize.

Will she ever forgive me for holding her captive?

Can I make her fall in love with me?

In theory, if she’s truly my fated mate, she’ll also feel intensely drawn to me, just as I’m drawn to her. But I worry the suffering she experienced at Lord Nevel’s hands might be obscuring any attraction she might otherwise feel toward me. More than once, she’s flinched from my touch.

I inhale a deep breath and step inside the tent only to find Amelia is sound asleep on the sofa, curled up beneath the blanket I’d draped around her shoulders earlier.

An utterly tranquil expression covers her visage, and my chest tightens with emotion at the sight of her sleeping so peacefully.

I send her waves of summer warmth infused with lavender, hoping it’ll make her slumber even more restful.

After watching her for several minutes, I use my magic to darken the tent and summon tiny flashing orbs reminiscent of fireflies. I also beckon the sounds of a summer night—locusts, crickets, and trilling frogs.

Please gods, let her dreams remain pleasant.

Knowing I’m expected to make preparations for the impending departure of the Summer Court army, I spin on my heel and depart the tent.