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forty

Ereon

W alking to the front of camp my stomach is in knots over what just happened. Anara, I know what she said, but I don’t believe it — not really. But neither she nor Thylas denied what happened between them when Rhenor mentioned asked. Not that it would take much to come to the same conclusion given she left his tent with almost no clothing on.

My fingers flex at my thighs as I take a deep breath, trying to gather my bearings. I see some of my men already at the entrance, their heads held high and their swords attached to their backs, ready for whoever might be coming. It can’t be someone who wanted to arrive in secret or we would have never spotted them.

A dark carriage becomes visible along the horizon and I know without a doubt that though the day has already started out terribly — it’s about to get worse. The snow falls harder as the sounds of the horses leading his carriage come closer.

Ryul appears beside me. “Why is the Reph here? Aren’t we on our way to see him?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Probably on a mission from my father to give me even more trouble.”

“Never underestimate your father, Ereon.”

“Oh, trust me, I’m not. I need you to go to Carnaxa. You are her personal guard from now on.” I watch as the carriage gets closer. It never made sense that he managed to convince my father that he needed a carriage all the way up here, like he is someone of importance.

“What of the Ambassador? I thought he was her guard.”

I turn my head to look at Ryul. “Things changed. Just make sure, especially with more men here, that she will not be alone at any time.”

He bows at the waist before he turns and heads back towards the camp. Reph Limsu being here is nothing good, no matter how I look at it. He is the one who controls the soldiers here in the north — a troop of rejects and most degenerate from Shaston. His presence can only mean that something far worse is happening to the north of us.

Reph’s boots come into view as he makes his way down the carriage steps, as if he is king here and not my father. He’s one of the strongest warriors in Shaston, it’s how he earned his rank, and now he’s nothing but a thorn in my side. From what I remember, he requested to be sent up here to fight against the kukhe . He started as a simple builder and now is in charge of Shaston’s Prel in the north. It’s always interesting how this desolate land rewards the vile.

Reph pulls his cloak around his shoulders, the snow now falling harder. His blonde hair has more gray strands spreading through it than I remember when I saw him last. The soft blue of his eyes is stark against his extremely pale skin. He wears the colors of my house, but I know he is no more loyal than the rest of the men here.

“Reph, why are you here? We were already on our way to your camp, but weather conditions and correspondence have been conflicting.”

He bows before he answers, “I heard you were traveling with your new bride — wouldn’t want any harm to come to her. I’ve heard from those in attendance, she was a beauty at the Nle Shom .”

I grind my teeth against the way word has spread about her performance at the Nle Shom . The men of Shaston are hoping I’ll be like my father and loan her out to satisfy them. “My wife is beautiful, but she is none of your concern. What is happening? ”

“A lot,” he answers, spitting towards the ground, a blend of tobacco and spit staining the white snow. “Perhaps we could find a warm fire and discuss everything, Prince.”

I nod, extending my hand toward the council tent as Reph heads that way. I beckon to a soldier of mine and instruct, “Go find Ambassador Thylas and Bel Rhenor and ask them to meet us.” The man inclines his head in understanding before turning and I grab his shoulder. “If Anara, my orur ” — rarely have I ever referred to her as by that title, but I still need to keep her safe —“tries to follow the Ambassador — don’t let her. Don’t hurt her, but do not permit her to leave his tent.”

He smiles mischievously. “Loaned out your orur ? Can I get on the list? I’ve always wanted to know what she tastes like.”

Before I can control myself, I raise my fist, and it meets his left cheek. “It is none of your concern what I do with the women who are mine. Do not ask again, and if I find out that you’ve touched her, I will make sure you never touch anyone again. Am I understood?”

He spits blood onto the ground. “Yes, Prince.” He bows low and turns on his feet.

Running my hand down my face and combing my fingers through my beard, I exhale forcefully to clear my head and begin walking towards the tent. I hope that whatever Reph has to say isn’t any worse than what we already know.

Suddenly, the ground shakes and the snow falls harder against my dark clothes, making it hard to see through the curtains of white. Tremors are not normal in Shaston, especially not this far north. Out of nowhere, my veins turn icy and I take a few deep breaths to withstand a sudden agonizing pain that could bring me down.

As the tremor subsides and the snow slows down, so does the pain. I blink swiftly to orient myself. I look around to assess if anything has been damaged. Whispers from the men meet my ears and I look up.