Page 17

“Where is Rufe?” Draylon demanded. Yarif sat on the bed behind him.

“He is safe for now.” Niam dropped into a chair.

He should have taken the time to clean up.

Somehow, he’d smeared Rufe’s blood on his clothes and likely his hair too.

“Those were Whreyn’s men. We killed two more and captured one, but three got away, no doubt to carry word to their thieving wolf of a master.

” He could’ve lost Rufe today, or Yarif or Draylon.

He peered past Draylon to the bed. “I would take you to task, Cousin Yarif, but you should have been safe on the keep’s grounds. Are the two of you well?”

If only Casseign were here and not traipsing after the worthless waste of flesh known as Lord Whreyn.

“Just a few cuts. Your mother is highly skilled with needle and thread.”

Mother must have worked fast to be free to attend Rufe after seeing to Draylon and Yarif.

Draylon displayed the bandage on his forearm. “Though Bert nearly questioned us to death.”

“Did he?” Niam’s eyebrows reached for his forehead. It was past time to send the boy home.

“Yes. Your mother finally sent him away.”

Niam should’ve dealt with the brat long ago. “He’s the one who gave away your presence to begin with. I think it’s time he answered a few questions of his own.”

“Don’t be too hard on the boy,” Draylon said. “He’s young. He’ll learn.”

Not at the cost of Niam’s family and guests’ safety.

“Yes, but what will he learn? As Mother’s apprentice, he has access to my family and information others would kill for.

I told you there may be spies in my household.

As much as it pains me, I should stop dismissing Bert’s incessant questions as curiosity and look deeper.

” The thought wrenched Niam’s heart. He didn’t know the boy well; it was his own fault for not taking the time.

Bert was family and young, in need of guidance.

Had Niam’s inattention caused Bert to talk freely to Whreyn?

Niam returned his attention to Draylon’s original question.

“Rufe is in his room. I’m afraid our dear captain tried to prevent an attacker from escaping on horseback.

He’s injured his leg. Mother is tending him now.

” Niam let out a weary sigh. “I have made arrangements. You must leave at dawn. I’ll return to Dellamar.

I’ve been away from my duties for too long. ”

Tomorrow. They’d go tomorrow. Rufe would leave tomorrow, and Niam would be the one to send him away.

Cormira’s Captain Rufe Ferund just might take Niam’s heart with him.

The conversation turned heavy at the breakfast table the following morning. Yarif and Rufe seemed to understand the importance of enjoying a good meal while they could. They focused their attention on their eggs and sausage, keeping their mouths too busy to speak.

Not that Niam and Draylon had such a problem. Mother watched, for now, merely picking at her eggs while paying rapt attention .

“By leaving now, you’ll be out of the mountains by the next heavy snowfall.

” If left up to Niam, they wouldn’t be making the trek through Telaga Pass this time of year.

While a convenient shortcut through the mountains, the danger far outweighed the convenience many times.

“I’ve sent guards to collect Lord Whreyn to answer for the actions of his men, but they haven’t yet returned.

” Please let Casseign be all right. Niam shook his head.

Of course the captain would be all right.

He was Casseign, the most competent man Niam knew.

Delay might be in Whreyn’s best interest. Niam’s temper needed time to cool down, and his advisors wouldn’t agree to a summary execution.

“I finally have the proof I need to arrest him.” Or so Niam hoped.

“They are to take him to the castle, where I really do have a dungeon. He shall be… dealt with when we find him. We’re compiling a list of sympathizers who might hide him.

” Niam also wouldn’t rush to free him from the dungeon unless Mother suddenly decided she needed more storage space.

Given her opinion of Whreyn, she’d more likely add a new wing to the castle simply for storage.

Draylon nodded, muscles tightly clenched in his jaw. “I’m stopping by the Glendoran camp I mentioned to return the mules, retrieve my horse, and speak to the commander. I plan on dismissing the soldiers back to their homes before the weather turns bad there, too.”

“You would override your father’s authority?” Mother asked. She’d spent far too much time planning strategies with Father .

The scowl on Draylon’s face spoke clearly of his distaste at the emperor being called his father.

He’d made his own way in the world, from all Niam had heard, and would never lean on his father’s heavy-handed authority, which had earned him trust and respect.

At least that was the impression Niam had been building of Draylon over the last few weeks.

Did Draylon’s brother, the emperor’s heir, favor his father or brother?

“My apologies, Draylon.” Mother’s cheeks uncharacteristically pinked. “You’d override the emperor’s authority?”

Only the foolish wouldn’t listen when Draylon applied so much steel in his tone. “Commander Illa is gone. Until further notice, I’ll retake control of the combined Cormiran forces, which is one reason to talk to the Glendoran commander I mentioned.”

“But you’re a king,” Mother pointed out.

Niam set his fork down. “Before we kings all grew soft, leaders of a country were often leaders on the battlefield.” Draylon reminded Niam of tales of his great-grandfather, who’d also been a warrior king, back in Delletina’s brutal past. He’d brought peace to the kingdom. Perhaps Draylon could, too.

“Warrior kings,” Rufe added. Hard not to notice how close he’d pulled his chair to Niam’s. Nor the swaths of bandages beneath his rolled up trouser leg. Or one of Grandfather’s old canes propped nearby.

Draylon studied Rufe, switching his gaze to Niam, then back to Rufe, one eyebrow raised. “Yes, and Rufe? With King Niam’s permission, I’d like you to remain here.”

Rufe nearly choked on a mouthful of tea. “Me? Why? ”

For a moment, the words stung. Would it be so bad for Rufe to remain with Niam a bit longer? Did he truly not want to?

“Because I’m about to make a scene, as my mother would say.

I don’t want you to be caught in the fight.

Fa—Emperor Soland has always been jealous of our friendship and waiting for any misstep to punish you.

Besides, I hope to continue the conversation about Delletina becoming part of the empire one day. ”

The emperor was jealous of Rufe. There must be more to the story. Then again, his son’s friendship with a branded man with no title likely gave the nobles of Cormira plenty to gossip about.

Rufe narrowed his eyes, bouncing his good leg up and down beneath the table. “Are those the only reasons?”

Draylon leaving Rufe behind because of his injury would offend Rufe's pride.

Mother stepped in, ever the diplomat. “He’s being nice and not pointing out how little good you’d be on horseback during a fight.” Then again, maybe her diplomacy needed work. “I’ve told you, you need to stay put.”

“Your Delletinian leaves much to be desired, and I’m hoping you’ll gain a better grasp of the language.” Draylon likely intended Rufe to monitor Niam, too.

Niam took a sip of his tea, clutching the cup to hide the trembling in his hands. Could he dare hope for more time before he must tell Rufe goodbye? “I have no objections.” He appraised Rufe from the corner of his eye to gauge any reaction.

“Nor do I.” Mother gave a fond smile, likely just as eager to play matchmaker, though for different reasons.

She wanted to see her son happy. And “son” implied anyone she took under her wing and considered hers.

Draylon and Yarif likely fell into that category now, as did Willem, Captain Casseign, and half of the king’s guards.

So like Mother, who’d orchestrated many successful matches in her day.

As well as dalliances. She must have inherited this trait from her biological father, who arranged advantageous marriages for his daughters, except for Yarif's mother. Although she’d married a king, the match had proved disastrous.

Rufe glared at Draylon. “My place is with you!”

Draylon softened his tone. “Your place is where I need you to be.”

“But you need me!” Rufe gripped the arm of the chair until his knuckles turned white.

I won’t take it personally. I won’t take it personally.

There could be many reasons Rufe didn’t want to stay that had nothing to do with Niam, like being a stranger who didn’t speak the language fluently or loyalty to his friend and king.

Casseign told Niam often enough how uncomfortable he felt around courtiers.

Perhaps Rufe felt the same. Or maybe he didn’t like the cold. Or snow.

Draylon crossed the room, kneeled by Rufe’s chair, and spoke in low tones. “Rufe, yes, I need you by my side, but in your current condition, you’d slow us down through the mountain pass. Father has threatened you more than once to keep me in line. Please, you’ll be more useful to me here.”

Draylon looked away from the tears forming in Rufe’s eyes. “We’ll be together again soon, I promise. Heal your leg. Go to the capital with Niam. Learn all you can that will help us form treaties.”

Rufe took Draylon’s hand. “If anything happens to you I could have prevented, I’ll bring you back from the dead and kill you myself.”

Draylon smiled fondly. “I would expect nothing less.”

“I wouldn’t mind brushing up on my Cormiran,” Mother said. “And Bert could definitely use some tutoring in the language.”

“Mother, Bert scarcely knows Delletinian some days.” Also, Bert might not be part of the household much longer. What would they do with him? Could he ever be trusted again?

Niam truly hoped so.

Niam had the mules brought around after breakfast, extra ones carrying supplies and anything Draylon and Yarif might need for their return.

“Six of my men will accompany you as far as the border. I’m sorry, but any more would draw attention.

” He gave Draylon a soldier’s salute, then grasped Yarif’s shoulders, pulling him in until their foreheads touched.

“You, dear cousin, go with the Goddess of Travelers and the Goddess of Long-Lost Kin. It is my fondest wish to see you again soon.”

Niam hugged his cousin while Draylon said goodbye to Rufe. Niam fought not to eavesdrop on their conversation. Even so, he caught the last bit: “And am I mistaken that your intentions toward King Niam aren’t all honorable?”

What?

Rufe glanced at Mother, who gave her best mock glare that had often gotten a young Niam back in line. “Very honorable.” Rufe shuddered, eyes going comically wide.

Mother hugged Draylon. “We could never be enemies. I hope to soon see you again over negotiations.” She added, “Treat my nephew well, or you’ll answer to me, and I know a thousand herbs that can kill a man before he hits the ground.”

Even Niam couldn’t tell if his mother was jesting.

Draylon swept a bow. “Far be it from me for you to undo all the hard work of healing me.”

Mother grinned. “Just so we understand each other.”

Draylon swung into the saddle while Yarif got in a few last hugs.

When Yarif mounted, Draylon led the way through melting slush down the track leading away from the keep. Guards loaned to them by Niam closed in ahead of and behind them.

Now, the true battle began, for Niam wouldn’t let his new friends face the dragon alone. After all, Cormira needed a new emperor.

One Niam could work with.