Page 74 of The King’s Man (The Kingdom of the Krow #3)

Diadre stared at me like I’d suddenly grown a second head. “Your eyes are just because of your bloodline,” she said, stammering. “It doesn’t matter if they’re yellow, you’re loyal to Melek!”

I nodded. “But… they don’t know that. Not for sure.”

She blinked, frowned… then understanding dawned on her face. “Jann, no, you can’t—”

“Someone has to get close to him. Gather real information and get it back to Melek.”

“They all know you’re his best friend! The moment they see you they’re going to—”

“They also believe I’m ruthless, and that I fled Melek when he tried to claim you. If they’ve been listening to the rumors. Don’t forget, Dee, I served Gault. I was a loyal subject.”

“You gave up your own claim to the throne! They’re going to know—”

“I’ll tell them Melek bested me—and now I want revenge.

They only know I went after him when he was taken to Theynor.

They don’t know what happened there. I can tell them I went after him knowing he had the power to steal the men from me.

Look—I’m here alone, no Melek in sight. I can make them believe it, Dee. ”

“It’s too risky!”

“It’s only for a short time. Two or three days.

I get close, I learn where the real strings are being pulled, I find out what they did with the real Gall and hopefully Istral.

Then I get out and we fly back to Melek.

He carries the military might. Only he has the support to stop this.

I’m the only one who can do that—the golden eyes won’t trust anyone that would follow Melek now—their eyes give them away. ”

She opened her mouth once to protest, but closed it again and her brows pinched. Then she swallowed and her chin rose. “Then I’m doing it with you.”

“There’s no need—you can stay hidden here with Caelan and walk the Shadows if I need to test someone’s honesty.”

“No, Jann. I’m standing at your side—your mate. They’ve already heard about me. If I’m not there when you appear among them they’re going to know you were protecting me—”

“Because you need protection! This isn’t the traditions I grew up with, Dee. This is worse. Far worse. And since you won’t be getting pregnant, it’s even more risky. No. No, I won’t allow it—”

“Allow it?”

“Yes.”

She bristled. “You said you respected me as a soldier, and a—”

“You can’t fight these fuckers! If one of them found you alone—”

“But I won’t be. I’ll be at your side. Always. Loyal and attentive. Your… your pet,” she said, though her lips twisted like the words tasted bitter.

“No,” I snapped. “Absolutely not. There’s no point, it’s only one more risk to distract me when I’m trying to—”

“You’ve allowed everyone before this to believe that you stole me against Melek’s will. That’s evidence you’re no longer loyal. I don’t believe those rumors haven’t already made it here while we’ve travelled, do you?”

“No, but—”

“Then we need to be everything they’ve heard if they’re going to believe this. And I am living proof that you are who you said you were. Plus, you told me that having a strong woman strengthened you in the eyes of your men—I watched them submit when you claimed me.”

“Yes, but—”

“There’s no buts, Jann. This is a mission.

The assignment we were given. We have to get close to Gall—or whoever is pretending to be him.

And this is the way to do it. You take me with you everywhere.

If something goes wrong, I can get you out.

And if something goes really wrong, you’ll get me out.

I know you will. So, we do this together. It’s the safest way.”

“Not if we’re in sunlight! You have no escape route if—”

“I can still help, even in sunlight. There are still shadows, and they won’t be expecting—”

I stepped up to her, looming over her intentionally, reminding her of the risks she faced from every Nephilim alive.

“Diadre, hear me , there’s more civility here in Valgorath—or there was—but it does not neutralize the risk.

The most powerful males of our people are here, and they don’t give two shits about you.

If they serve a new King, they may believe themselves raised above my station. They may try to take you from me—”

“And you won’t let them. And that in turn will only strengthen your position. Correct?”

“ If I win,” I ground out.

Diadre inched closer, laying her palm on my chest so that the bond crackled between us.

“Feel that?” she murmured. “I believe in you, Jannus the Halfling. I know you can protect me—and I know I can protect you as well.” Her eyes were clear and certain as she stared at me. “We’re stronger together, remember?”

Reluctantly, I nodded. But inwardly, I ached. “Dee, the risk—”

“Don’t think about it. You know this makes sense. You know it’s strategic. This is a war, Jann. I’m a soldier. Let me fight.”

God, she was incredible. Unable to answer, I took her face in my hands and kissed her, deeply, frantically, fearfully. And when I drew back it was only far enough to meet her eyes.

Her clear, determined gaze.

“Does that mean you’ll let me remain at your side?” she murmured.

My shoulders slumped, but I nodded. “God help me… Yes, Dee. I will. But only if you promise me that the moment I’m uncovered, or someone attempts to remove you from me, you walk the Shadows and you run.”

She smiled. “Done.”