Page 47

47

Lore

N ight had long since fallen before we returned to the castle with a long trail of adults and carts with sleepy children behind us.

Inside, Lord Briscalar met us once again. Like in the city, he quickly took charge, sending messengers to the manors telling the lords and ladies that guests would soon arrive.

“I have this in hand, Your Majesties.” He dipped forward in a quick bow. “Some volunteered rooms in their homes while others… Let us say that they’ve been persuaded to lend their assistance.” His sharp gaze met mine. “I reminded them of who provided protection, of who they owed allegiance to.”

Bloodsworn.

His worried gaze traveled across us both. We must look as bad as we felt. We were tired. Worn out both physically and emotionally, and there was still too much left that needed to be done.

“Direct me,” I said, and Reyla nodded.

“I’d like you to…” Frowning, the lord tapped his chin. “Go to your suite. Bathe. Eat the meal I’ll send up. Remain there until morning.”

“We need to do more,” Reyla leaned into my side, but it was anyone’s guess who was propping who up.

“Tomorrow is soon enough.” Briscalar reached out and rubbed her shoulder. “You’ll be no help at all if you collapse, my dear.”

“There’s so much to do.” The heart wrenching agony in her voice made me turn and lift her into my arms. The fact that she didn’t protest but snuggled against me told me all I needed to know.

“Perfect.” Lord Briscalar’s eyes lightened with approval. With a sharp nod, he turned and directed attendants and lords and ladies alike in a seamless way. “Lady Yoolar, station your servants at the outer gates. Have them guide guests who have yet to arrive into the main ballroom. Windest? Make sure supplies from the castle’s second storeroom are brought up immediately. Blankets, temporary beds, clothing. You know what I mean. Enlist others to set them up inside the ballroom.”

“The ballroom?” Windest gulped. “You're sure you want?—”

“Do you have a better suggestion?” Briscalar asked dryly.

Windest hung his head. “Um, no. I'll do it immediately.”

“Delightful.” Lord Briscalar clapped his hands. “Others. Attend to me this instant. We'll need plenty of fresh water, tubs full of it as well, all brought or magicked to the ballroom. Set up screens for privacy and ensure there are plenty of drying cloths, clean clothing in every size. Whatever anyone might need to ensure their comfort. Magic it if we don’t have it on hand already.” His gaze met mine. “Can you think of anything else we might need?”

“Food. Plenty of food.”

“Excellent,” he breathed, clapping his hands again, startling a few staff lingering nearby. “If you have skills in the kitchen, offer them to the head chef. He'll wisely direct you. We need hearty food. None of that fluffy stuff he adores crafting to please the lords and ladies, though a few treats would not be amiss.” He glared at the staff staring at him with their mouths ajar and flicked his hands their way. “Go! Don't stand there.”

They scooted away.

“Allow me to assist you.” Briscalar hurried over to where an elderly man was guiding an even older woman across the big foyer. He swept his arm around the back of her waist and eased her onto a settee near the right wall. After speaking to the couple, he crossed the room to instruct someone else.

The villagers, who’d looked worn and hollow minutes before, gravitated toward him like flameseekers to moondust. For all their grief and exhaustion, hope flickered in their eyes. The promise that someone had a plan and the realization that their lives weren’t going to unravel overnight made a lot of difference.

The lord returned to stand in front of me. “Why are you still here?” His cough rang out, and his ears pinkened. “My king. My queen, that is.”

“We need to help.” Reyla lifted her head off my shoulder. “Direct us.”

“Your Majesties ,” Briscalar said grandly. Concern taking over his usual stern expression. “As you can see, I have things well in hand. Please leave the rest to me.”

I wasn’t someone who yielded easily, but even I could see the truth in his words. He was thriving here, finding comfort and a purpose where others might fall. Briscalar didn’t need either of us overseeing him, and he certainly didn’t need Reyla dropping from exhaustion on the foyer floor.

“Thank you.”

He dipped forward in a bow. “It is my pleasure.”

I flitted us to our bedroom, silencing Reyla with a quick kiss before she could issue a protest.

She tilted her head away from me, narrowing her eyes. “You know, one of these days, you’re going to tell me how you perfected the skill I should've mastered long before you.”

I didn’t bother hiding my grin. “My only goal is to take exquisite care of you.”

“That remains to be seen,” she said with only a hint of her usual pertness.

“Once you’re well-rested…”

“You'll pounce.” She gave me a silly smile. “And I'll pounce on you.” I placed her on her feet, and she slumped against me as I guided her into the bathing chamber. There, she sluggishly undid her weapons' straps, her fingers fumbling over the buckles.

I caught her hands and kissed her knuckles. “Let me.”

“I think you enjoy stripping me,” she said, but the breathlessness in her voice clenched in my chest. Her strength hadn’t failed her, but she’d come far too close for my liking.

“That I do.” I kept my touch gentle as I removed the armor and weapons she wore like an extension of her skin. One blade strapped at her thigh. The ones I'd given to her at her waist. Three bound to her calves. A few in her boots. And one hidden along her back that brought a soft chuckle from my throat. Her long dark lashes dropped as I worked, her shoulders sagging.

“You carry more steel than a smithy on market day, love,” I said.

“I'm prepared to fight at all times, and don't you forget it.” Her voice wavered at the end .

“Never. Though perchance, for tonight, the fight can wait?”

“Yeah, we can battle again tomorrow.”

I peeled the leather from her body, tossing it aside, leaving her standing wearing only her practical linen undergarments.

Her chin lifted, and she met my eyes, turning back into my formidable warrior once more, even after stripped of blades and armor.

Her exhaustion hurt me. It was one thing to wield power, but it was another to see the one you loved fraying under the weight of heart and duty.

I traced the line of her jaw, tilting her face toward mine. “You give so much of yourself, but even the fiercest must rest. I’ll watch over you.”

She smiled and leaned her face into my touch. “I'll try not to collapse before you finish. You’re rather efficient.”

I poured my magic toward the tub. Warm water filled it quickly, and steam curled up from the surface in lazy tendrils.

While she sagged against me, I released the fine straps of her undergarments, freeing her until there was nothing left but all her naked beauty.

Her cheeks pinkened as she motioned toward me. “Aren’t you going to…?”

Before she could finish, a flick of my fingers sent my pants and weapons to an untidy pile on the floor. Her gaze swept over me, and for a moment, it was hard to tell who was holding who hostage with a look.

“Efficient enough for you?” I raised a brow and lifted her into my arms. Her body melted against mine as I climbed into the steaming tub and lowered us both into the water.

She settled on my lap, her sigh brushing my throat as hot water lapped around us. I scooped up some cleanser and gently massaged it into her hair. The rich scent of herbs filled the space, though it was nothing compared to the sweet scent clinging to her skin.

Water sluiced over her in rivulets as I poured magic into the task. My fingers worked through the knots in her hair, then along the planes of her back, her shoulders. She leaned into my touch like I alone could tether her.

“You move through this world like it owes you nothing,” I said as I delicately washed the grime from her face with a soft, wet cloth. “Yet you deserve more than it has ever tossed your way. You give, again and again.” I kissed her forehead, breathing her in. “If you’re this world’s queen, then I am its crown, worn only for you.”

Her laugh came out low, tired, but real. “That was a lot. Even for you.”

I smirked, cupping her face to tilt it toward mine. “Pretty words suit me, don’t they?”

“They do.” Her smile softened as her eyes fluttered shut. “But the bath and your hands? They suit me better.”

“You belong to me,” I whispered against her damp skin. “And I belong to you, always.”

She hummed and snuggled deeper into my arms. “Don’t forget our promise from earlier. I’m not that sleepy.”

Her soft breaths fanned across my chest as she tumbled into sleep.

For now, she would rest.

Everything else could wait.