Page 59 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

Reynard

R oksana was swaying in the saddle, barely upright, when I called for a stop to feed the animals. The dark circles under her eyes had only deepened as we travelled.

I should have left her in Truso, I thought for the hundredth time.

As much as I wanted to spare her pain, I couldn’t rob her of a chance to say goodbye to her friend.

The scout’s report on Tova’s whereabouts had warned me to prepare for the worst. And while Sana would insist on seeing him immediately, she was exhausted, and I didn’t know how much one woman could take.

If only I could ensure the dwarf would survive before I let her see him . . .

My men exchanged confused glances as I issued orders, but my gaze kept flicking towards Irsha, who was constantly by Roksana’s side.

She gasped when he helped her dismount, catching her when her legs gave way.

After she steadied, he led her to sit on a tree stump.

Sana laughed, complaining that her legs were numb and tingly at the same time, and the wretched assassin crouched beside her, vigorously rubbing her calves.

The reasonable part of me knew they were close friends, that their bond wasn’t romantic—but the berserker in me didn’t want to listen to reason. I knew it was just a trait of my personality, but at times like this, it felt like there were two of me—man and beast—fighting for control.

‘Perun give me strength. He’s going too far,’ I muttered when he lifted her skirt to knead her muscles, but my curse morphed into a smirk when my anger gave me an idea.

‘Sire?’ my officer prompted. I turned to him, but my mind was elsewhere.

The soldiers’ voices blurred into background noise. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Irsha extend a cup of warmed honey water to Roskana. My Viper refused at first—until he dropped to one knee, presenting the dented cup like he was offering tribute to his queen.

Bloody idiot. My fists tightened at the sight. I should have thought of that first.

Sana laughed, beautiful and carefree, mischief dancing in her eyes as she accepted the cup with a mock regal flourish. She’d needed a distraction, but if I’d have done that, would she have laughed like that for me?

As if sensing my stare, she turned, still smiling, and raised the cup in a silent toast.

I was on the verge of groaning in frustration. I had to close my eyes for a second before I could plaster a fake smile on my face, pretending I didn’t notice that Irsha was now rubbing healing salve on the scrapes on her arm.

‘For fuck’s sake,’ I muttered, my hand drifting instinctively to my blade. Perun, who had forged berserkers in fire and madness, was surely testing me today—I was one breath away from challenging the bastard . . . again.

‘Your Majesty?’ My officer cleared his throat, dragging me back to the moment. ‘You were asking about Ostrava . . .’

‘What?’ I blinked at him, pinching the bridge of my nose as if the small gesture could help me concentrate on the issues at hand.

‘You asked about the situation in Ostrava,’ he repeated carefully. ‘What are your orders, sire? Shall we make camp here, or continue to the town?’

‘No stopping,’ Roksana said before I could answer, rushing towards us, hissing with every step she took. As her breath misted in the air, the chill breeze gave her pale skin a luminous glow, making the tiny laugh lines around her eyes even more visible.

‘I don’t think you can ride any more today,’ I told her. ‘You can barely walk, Sana. The last thing I need is you toppling from your horse mid-canter.’

‘I can manage,’ she said with a glint of defiance in her eyes. ‘And we can rest when we get to Ostrava. Irsha said that’s where we’re meeting the group who found Tova.’

As if reeled by an invisible thread, her assassin came closer.

‘If you’re worried, sire,’ he said, gaze flicking to me, ‘I’ll take her on my horse.

’ He turned to her, tone softer as he tugged on the end of her braid.

‘Don’t give me that look, trouble. He’s right—you look like shit.

The only way I see you riding without holding us back is with someone holding you up. ’

That was it. I’d had enough. It was the right thing to do, but if the assassin thought I’d let him ride with my Sana cradled to his chest, he was sorely mistaken.

‘An excellent idea,’ I said smoothly. ‘But as your duty is guarding the Lady Roksana, I think it best if she joins me instead. My stallion can carry a man in full armour and a week’s supplies. He won’t even notice her on his back.’

Before Irsha could reply, I reached for Sana’s hand and tugged her gently towards me, sighing with relief when she didn’t resist.

‘I don’t think it’s necessary,’ she said, though she didn’t take her hand from mine.

‘I’m not taking any chances, Viper.’ I looked at her, then turned to Irsha.

‘In fact, in order to keep Sana safe, I require your expertise, Blade. Please ride ahead with the captain of my guard. Make sure our lodgings in Ostrava are secure. We’re close to the southern border, and someone has already tried their luck attacking her.

I want the area cleared and locked down before we arrive. Make haste.’

The request, though politely phrased, wasn’t well received. Irsha wasn’t the type of man to be ordered around—even by his king.

‘I would be happy to oblige, but my duty is to stay beside Roksana,’ he huffed, nostrils flaring as he stepped towards me.

‘Well, then, I’ll have to insist on camping here until my man reassures me that all potential threats are eliminated,’ I said with a smile. My satisfaction was short-lived when I felt Sana’s hand slip from mine.

She walked to her friend, and his gaze instantly softened. ‘Please, no more arguments . . . could you do it? For me?’ she asked.

The bastard had the audacity to take her hand and kiss it as he looked me in the eye. ‘For you? Always. Whatever you command, trouble,’ he told her, but the smirk was all for me.

‘Great,’ I ground out. ‘We’ll rest for an hour to give you a head start.

’ Addressing my officer, I said, ‘Ensure Master Vilkor has the freshest mount and anything else he needs. Tell the captain to get ready, too. Then ensure the rest of our horses are sound and let me know when they’ve recovered enough to ride to Ostrava. ’

The man saluted before walking away, leaving me alone with Roksana. When I came closer, she barely paid me any attention; her gaze still followed the assassin master.

‘If fate allows, you’ll see Tova tonight,’ I said, and she finally looked at me.

‘I know. Thank you for this, and for taking me even if I’m a burden.’ She sighed. ‘But do you really have to behave like such an arse towards Irsha?’

‘I don’t . . .’ I tried to deny it, but she was right.

My pleasure at sending the assassin ahead melted away under her stare.

‘Come, Viper. You are not a burden, just tired. I won’t take you anywhere if you’re ready to faint,’ I answered, deflecting her question before leading her to the same tree trunk she’d been sitting on and wrapping my cloak around her.

‘I don’t need your cloak, and I can ride by myself,’ she protested with a deep yawn. ‘I don’t know why you both think I’m such a lady in distress in need of constant attention.’

Leaves crunched under my knee when I knelt, taking Roksana’s hand.

‘I would never think of you in that way, Sana. You are skilled, intelligent, and so, too bold for your own good, but you are not a warrior. Every single man here has spent years in the saddle, and even they’re tired.

’ I gently tapped her nose, wrapping the cloak tighter around her.

‘You can’t be the best at everything, so don’t argue with your king.

Let me be your knight in shining armour, at least for today. ’

Her shoulders sagged slightly before mischief teased the corner of her mouth, and I prepared for the worst.

‘What if I prefer an orc chieftain with scars that prove his prowess?’ Her hand drifted to my cheek, fingers brushing the jagged flesh.

She bewitched me. The early winter sun slipped from behind the clouds and lit the golden flecks in her eyes, mesmerising me.

I found myself falling into their hazel depths, the beast inside me revelling at her touch.

The air shimmered around her, an invisible force reaching for me, its touch an intimate caress, a breeze on overheated skin.

Sana removed her hand, and I inhaled sharply, as if awakened from a dream. ‘Fine, then be my good little killer, and do as you’re told,’ I said with a soft chuckle that hid how deeply the moment had affected me.

I stood up, patting her head as I imagined one of the orcish brutes would do, until she swatted me away with a scoffing laugh.

‘My lady,’ someone behind me said, ‘Master Irsha requested sustenance for you.’

I spun around to see a squire holding a few travel cakes and a cup of water. The boy meant well, but he was too close, and I was so on edge that I wanted to shove the cakes down his throat and send him on his way with a kick in the rear.

I’m fucking jealous of the squire, now? I thought, listening to Sana thank him for the simple soldier’s fare.

‘That was thoughtful of him. Ask him to wait, please. I need a word before he sets off,’ I said to the boy calmly, unwilling to lose control over a child. ‘Once you do that, return and serve the lady.’

Roksana turned towards the forest, closing her eyes as she devoured the rations on her lap. She pulled my cloak up, and I watched in contentment as her face disappeared into the soft fur of the collar.

I promise you, my light, I’ll be the man to bring you joy, I thought before walking away to talk to Irsha. After procuring the necessary quill and parchment, I spotted him next to the horses and pretended not to see his eyes roll when I approached.

‘What else can I do for you, sire?’

‘Take this,’ I said, passing him a folded sheet. His eyebrow rose at my private seal on the document. ‘It’s an order that allows you to command my men. Tova . . . the last report wasn’t optimistic, so do what you can to soften the blow for her.’

Irsha’s back straightened, and his expression instantly grew serious. ‘How bad is it?’

‘Would I be speaking to you now without good reason? Do what’s necessary to spare her heart,’ I said, and he nodded, respecting my unspoken words.

‘If I knew you were doing this to protect her, I would have played into your hand,’ he muttered.

With a humourless laugh, I replied, ‘I’m not that noble, Blade. Remember that next time you decide to lift her skirt.’

He smirked, mounting his horse. ‘Oh, I will . . . and I won’t forget to invite you to watch either, Your Majesty,’ he said, kicking his horse forward before I could answer.

I watched him leave, more amused than annoyed by his arrogance, then walked over to my stallion. He was already grazing when I approached him with a handful of oats. Even after a strenuous ride, he looked fresh and greeted me with a friendly neigh when I patted his neck.

‘Behave and smooth your step, my friend. You’ll be carrying precious cargo,’ I whispered into his ear, and he nudged me with his muzzle.

An hour passed, and I ordered the men to saddle up. As we were getting ready to leave, Sana came to me, my cloak folded over her arm. ‘Thank you, I’m feeling much better,’ she said, passing me the cloak and turning to leave.

She hadn’t taken two steps before my arm encircled her waist, and I lifted her onto my horse. ‘No escaping the inevitable, Viper. You’re riding with me to Ostrava,’ I said, jumping up behind her and pulling her close. I winced as her body stiffened.

‘Reynard, this is ridiculous,’ she complained.

Why is she so against it? If her objections were genuine, I wouldn’t force her to ride with me. Taking the reins, I bent to her ear, asking her a question before deciding my next step. ‘Does riding with me repulse you so much that you’d rather risk a fall?’

‘You don’t repulse me. It’s just . . . I remember what you said about my scent and your reaction. I don’t want to cause any trouble,’ she responded with a small shrug, and I couldn’t help but smile.

‘I promise I won’t sniff your neck. Is there anything else you’re worried about?’

Sana shook her head. ‘No, if you don’t mind your soldiers seeing their king being so . . . gentle and caring. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I spoiled your stern war hero image,’ she teased with a chuckle, making me feel better than I had in days.

I ensured she was sitting comfortably before easing my stallion into a trot, letting the rest of the men follow.

‘How I treat my wo . . . friend has no impact on my ability to lead them or my image as king,’ I said, and contrary to my earlier words, inhaled her scent.

Roksana didn’t answer, sitting stiffly against me. Still, as my stallion’s steps soothed her, she relaxed, melting into my embrace. I felt the tip of her nose touch the exposed skin of my neck.

‘You smell like lemongrass and musk,’ she whispered as she placed her head on my chest. Her finger traced down to my collarbone, sending pleasant shivers along my spine.

A gentle smile teased my lips as I pressed her closer to my body. ‘Be careful, my light, or I’ll think you like me,’ I teased as she yawned.

‘I like you . . . even though I know I shouldn’t. And I’m not your light,’ she muttered.

I leant down and kissed the top of her head, closing my eyes to savour the moment. ‘Oh, sweet lady, but you are. You are the light of hope in the deepest night, my Sanika.’

Sana turned to look at me. ‘You shouldn’t say things like that,’ she murmured. But though her eyes were serious, I caught the smile tugging at her lips.

We lapsed into silence after that exchange, and I watched as she fought a losing battle against exhaustion, drifting off until jostled awake a few times by the ride. In the end, I placed my hand on her cheek, pressing her head to my chest. ‘Sleep, you are safe with me.’

I waited until I knew she was deeply asleep so a change of pace wouldn’t startle her before pushing my mount into a canter. Sana whimpered quietly, but didn’t wake up. I adjusted her position, trusting my horse with the road while I cared for my lightly-snoring bundle.

Gods, she must have been exhausted. Sana’s mouth parted in her sleep, and she looked even younger than usual. I risked pressing my lips to her temple, gently kissing her soft skin. I lingered a little longer, savouring her warmth.

Finally, the beast inside and the man in charge were in agreement: She was mine, and woe betide those who dared to defy my claim.

I only had to convince my Sanika that she belonged in my arms.