Page 54 of The Throne Seeker

Wasn’t that just convenient?

After a still moment, she nodded in acceptance. “If a full purse could persuade them to abandon me, then they were never true supporters… I’ll just have to make the best of it.”

Tristan wasn’t so easily beaten. “Take some of my men.”

She shook her head. “I won’t let you do that.”

“Yes, you will.” His voice was as set as stone. “Iftheyget to use loopholes to gain the upper hand, then so do we.” He held up his pinky. “Me and you, remember?”

She gazed into his eyes, to the tranquil blue sea that grounded her. Linking her pinky with his, she repeated, “Me and you.”

He raised her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles where they intertwined with his. “I’ll go send my men over now. We’ll meet you at the river.”

She attempted to keep her expression neutral as he mentioned the river, but Tristan noticed the shift in her. This time, he whispered. “You’re still afraid of the water?”

Her fallen gaze gave him all the answers he needed.

“Keep your eyes off the river and stay in the boat. You won’t have to swim; just keep as far away from the other boats aspossible and watch for the rocks. It’ll be over before you know it.” With that, he kissed the back of her hand one last time, heading to his own crimson tent.

Soon after Tristan departed, she and her men collected their weapons and strategized. They were each allowed swords, one set of bows and arrows, and a handful of daggers. It wasn’t a lot, but the restrictions would apply to others, too.

She had barely strapped a dagger to her thigh when Khan called out with a grin, “Drengr!”

Her hands froze.For the love of the gods, please no.

She spun around. Roman and nine others in red uniforms entered her tent. As promised, Tristan had provided a handful of men. But she’d had no idea that would include his brother.

Roman greeted Khan like they were old acquaintances, clasping hands and embracing with a firm pat. A flash of annoyance seized her, irritated by how his rare smile was so freely given to others—another form of punishment.

The rest of the soldiers joined in for the reunion. She held back an eye roll, yanking her sword off the table and securing it to her back.Oh good, all of them are friends.

Roman’s golden eyes blazed in her direction, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

She folded her arms, popping out her hip. “What are you doing here?”

His mouth tightened, slinking closer. “A simple thank you for the help would suffice.”

Help indeed. She had enough on her plate without worrying about internal resistance.

“You didn’t have to come.”

“It wasn’t my choice,” he replied with a sharpness that matched hers. “Trust me, I like the arrangement as much as you do.” He paused as he looked over to the green tent. “But if Dawnton wants to embody his symbol, we’ll do the same.”

She eyed him; she could almost mistake his expression for protectiveness. She gathered her courage to ask a question that had been gnawing at her. “They call you Drengr?”

His jaw feathered, pausing before he answered. “Yes.”

“What does it mean?”

“If you want to be on time, I suggest we get going.” He turned on his heel, stalking off for the horses.

It took a moment for her to realize he wanted her to follow. So, with her arms still crossed, she followed him to his horse, annoyed that he hadn’t answered her question.

He motioned for her to mount.

She met his gaze with resistance. “I can ride my own horse.”

“We are short on horses. We’ll all have to pair up.”