Page 27 of The Thief’s Lord (Catkin Trilogy #3)

Dorset

A s soon as Gareth swept me up into a bruising kiss, I melted into his embrace instantly.

His battered and bloodied hands surrounded me, and my hands, half-stained with blood, marked his jacket.

Everyone was watching us, but neither of us cared.

I only could see him, smell him… and I only wanted to touch him.

He had been gone so long, it had felt like forever. Now, we were both home.

Home… Little One. As I always dreamed…

I love you, too. The words filled me with such intense feelings, I felt as though I would burst into flame. It only made me grip him tighter as though I hoped that we could magic ourselves away.

Gareth seemed to feel the same way as well.

His lips dominated mine, seeking the warm entrance of my mouth and stealing my breath.

I sagged against his hard muscled bodied and enjoyed the strong scent of his body blending with my own.

Where his fingers trailed along my back, my skin tingled.

My tail whipped around and brushed against his sensuously, instinctively seeking even more of his touch.

I love you. I had said those three simple words. Words I had never understood before, not really. For the first time in my life, I understood what it truly meant to love and be loved, to belong.

However, although I didn’t want to let go, the world slowly began to remind us that we were not in fact alone.

Shouts and whistles drew us slowly apart.

There were catcalls from the townsfolk, and more than a few guards, surrounding the remaining captives, were grinning our way.

Several nobles were staring at Gareth, skeptically.

Oh gods. Some of them look amused, but there are others…

My mind began to race as the ramifications of Gareth’s public display of affection washed over me.

The Duke of Baywaters had not just kissed one of the common folk but one of the very rogues who had belonged to the same band that had threatened the king’s life. Would they question Gareth’s loyalty?

Half-turning away, I realized that Rolf and Ser Corrin were approaching.

Already a line of catkin had been formed—seven Night Blade members, bound and forced to kneel.

My place, whatever my heart wished for, belonged truly with them.

At the thought, my ears flattened, and my tail slumped.

I stiffened my spine and raised my chin.

I didn’t want to show my tears. Still, a rush of warmth and comfort spread through me as Gareth’s hand moved up to rest on my shoulder, reminding me that he had not left my side.

…a home for you and your love and your people…

King Landis was making some pronouncements about interrogations and then eventual labor camps.

Was that my future? I would be spared the noose, but questioning and further imprisonment awaited me.

Lord Elthorne, Lord Berrymay, and others stepped forward to ratify the king’s decision.

Behind me, Gareth motioned something as well.

At Ser Corrin’s signal, several guards surged forward to drag the Night Blades away.

Not wishing to force Rolf and Ser Corrin to wrestle me into submission, I stepped forward of my own accord, on my own two feet standing before King Landis’s dais.

On all sides, soldiers stood watch. The townsfolk of Rimefrost—old and young, rich and poor—surged closer to discover my fate.

The nobility gathered closer to the King’s dais and stared at me with a combination of disfavor and curiosity.

I kept my posture straight but relaxed, raised my chin, and stared up at Landis.

King Landis of the distant speeches on the castle walls.

Landis of the fountain garden. Which one did I face today?

The golden-haired king faced me with a level of solemnity that seemed foreign to him.

I glanced down and struggled to not grin.

Landis’s twitching, ruffled tail betrayed his true feelings.

The sight helped me calm down. Landis was growing into his position, that much was plain, but the tenderhearted young tom I had met in the garden was still there.

“We have heard a lot today, seen much, learned much,” Landis said aloud.

His voice was quiet, but firm. “One thing is apparent to me—none of this would have come to light had Lord Gareth not continued to work so much for our safety. It was due to his diligence that our throne was kept safe through all these years and spared our kingdom another battle for domination. He has been the shadow behind the throne, and his service, as always, remains much appreciated. And I hope he will serve for many years to come.”

The crowd murmured. Everyone was staring at Gareth who stepped forward to stand at my side. They stared at him in awe, respect, and a little bit of fear. Gareth tipped his head in a slight bow of thanks and offered me a roguish side wink. I bit my lip. Now was not the time to cry—or laugh.

“As such, Lord Gareth, Ser Corrin, and Lord Elthorne, have spent the most time with Dorset, formerly of the Night Blades.” I appreciated that Landis stressed the word ‘formerly’.

“They are more knowledgeable on the next steps we ought to take with Dorset. I call on these gentlecats and all who witnessed the testimonies given to this court as well as the reports offered by these toms to consider the matter with clemency. After all, it was due to… Dorset’s kindness and the love he held for his country, his kin, and, yes, the Duke that brought the truth to light. ”

Lord Gareth, Ser Corrin, and Lord Elthorne stepped aside to confer together.

Ser Corrin looked entirely neutral as though he didn’t care whether I was sent away or not.

Lord Elthorne simply looked grim. However, Rolf who joined me again, clapped me under the shoulder, and offered me encouragement under his breath.

Lord Elthorne mounted the dais and gave a short announcement: I was to be placed under custody and interrogated further. Should I cooperate, my usual sentencing to hard labor would be remitted. Instead, I would be sent to train with Gareth’s Blades and work for the King as his second shadow.

“The Night Blade will become the King’s Blade,” Landis said with a smile of relief.

“There’s poetry to that. I’m certain the King’s Blades will appreciate having one blessed with such expertise added to their ranks.

I have heard that Dorset has a special gift, after all.

A Voice, didn’t someone say?” Ser Corrin nodded amidst a swell of shock amongst the crowd.

Landis added more formally, “Therefore, as the gods have united us, let us not tear these bonds asunder.”

Some of the nobles were grumbling, but the crowds cheered. The Munni elements were particularly vocal with their approval. Several shouted at Gareth as Rolf clapped some irons on my wrists cheerfully.

“That didn’t go so badly now, did it?” He added with a grin, “And I’m glad for that. Would hate to see all those hours guarding you go to waste at the hanging tom’s noose.”

“Thank you, Rolf,” I said quietly. Gratitude swelled as I stared at his scruffy hair and battered armor. “I wouldn’t have survived without you.”

“Mebbe,” he said. “Mebbe not. Ah.” Rolf turned to greet Lord Elthorne and Gareth. “Your Lordships, we’ll be taking him to the tower then? Or one of the barred guest rooms? I reckon you wouldn’t want to put him down with the others in the cells.”

“No,” Lord Elthorne said. “The barred guest room should do fine. We’ll send some pen and paper for a proper report.”

Pen and paper? I was to write a report? I stared at Gareth wide-eyed. I would scarcely be able to put the words together.

“Tomorrow morning,” Gareth said hurriedly. “No need to do rush it after such a long day.”

“No. It’s not that.” My fingers knotted over and over. My ears and shoulders slumped a little. “I-I, uh, well… Writing isn’t my strong suit.”

“Ah.” Gareth chuckled. “You aren’t the only one. You should see Ser Hugh’s scrawl.”

Lord Elthorne chuckled, “That one is a menace.”

As if summoned by magic, Ser Hugh cuffed me lightly on the back of the head.

“Well, I’m certain Gareth can be your scribe… for the evening… and morning after,” he chortled.

“Hugh.” Gareth growled.

I blushed. Lord Elthorne, choosing to ignore Ser Hugh, focused on Gareth.

“You get him to share as much as he can. I look forward to the full report.”

“I will,” Gareth assured him simply.

With that, the two of us were left alone for a few minutes. Gareth took my hands, now weighted with iron. He eyed the metal with disfavor and then flashed a grin that melted into something softer. Fonder even.

This is for Sumarene and the world, Little One. Walk forward—

“What are you thinking?” I asked, clinging to his hands and wishing that he didn’t have to go.

“Remembering the night we first met.”

“You think these suit me?” I raised my cuffed hands and shot him a sultry smile.

The impish question drew out another smile. Gareth’s warm brown eyes clouded with desire, a silent promise for whatever would happen before or after our time spent on the report. My heart skipped a beat.

“You suit me,” he said huskily, brushing away a rogue strand of red hair that had caught on my cheek.

“Even now?” I asked, my voice catching a bit. I raised fingers now flaking with dirt and dried blood. “I’m… I’m not perfect, Gareth. I’m poor. And I-I can’t read and write like you can. And my past is… checkered to say the least.”

“Even now.”

He leaned in to give me another kiss. It was a softer one that had me melting against him all over again. When he leaned back, he gazed down at our entwined fingers. Gareth’s hands were also roughened and dirty and bloody. Just like mine.

“I think we make a fine pair,” he noted with a wry smile. “If you will have me.”

“Always,” I promised.

And my promises were never empty. The illusions I had denied, the castle in the sky that I dreamed of… I would work to make them as real as the paving stones beneath our feet and the blue sky over our heads. We would work together. I was no longer alone.

—I will always be with you.