Page 89 of Renegade Kings

“Secure him down in the dungeon,” Rhidian instructed two of his fighters, who immediately stepped forward and grabbed Damon under the arms. “Guard him until we come down to question him. No one else goes near him.”

The guys didn’t object. If anything, they looked relieved as they silently watched their brother being dragged away.

Chapter 34

Tank

Alyssa stared down at the map on the table in the war room, pacing around the edge as she examined it from every angle. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was exhausted. I could feel it edging along the bond towards me, and it was setting my bear on edge. He didn’t want to stand here watching her wear herself to the edge. He wanted her in our bed, resting, satiated. Trying to explain to him that now wasn’t the time for that wasn’t exactly easy. We’d come so close to potentially losing her today. We all needed to feel some kind of closeness if we were going to face that.

“Arik won’t waste any time before sending a second wave. Are we sure these are the most up-to-date positions of his forces?” she asked for the second time.

“Yes. The Endless that moved on us would account for the missing numbers,” Rhidian said again, the edge in his voice showing that he was fast about to lose his patience.

“We can’t know that,” Alyssa muttered. “We should pull out immediately rather than risk a second attack.”

Rhidian sighed, sagging forward and gripping the edge of the table as he did. I was impressed that he was clinging to his control as well as he was. Not once had he snapped at her for worrying and trying to press the issue.

“He doesn’t have any troops within a day’s journey. We can take the night. Give our men time to rest. If we prepare at first light, we can still get enough ground between us before they even think about breaching the palace.”

Alyssa stiffened at that thought. She didn’t want them here, but there was nothing we could do to stop that once we’d already left.

“And the survivors from The Endless?” she asked, instead of saying what she really wanted to.

“We’re getting them settled. They’re not really talking. It’s going to take some time for them to come to terms with what’s happened, and I don’t want to push them too fast.” Rhidian had a sympathetic look on his face as he settled in to just giving Alyssa what she needed. It would seem he knew he well enough to know she wouldn’t step back until she was satisfied that everyone else was cared for.

“Did you get anything from the one who was able to fight the connection?” I asked, knowing it was something else she’d need to know but probably wasn’t ready to ask yet.

“No. Not really. His name is Alard. He’s… struggling.” Rhidian’s eyes cut to Alyssa, and I knew whatever he was about to say next wouldn’t sit well with her. “He’s angry that you didn’t kill him when he asked. I don’t know if letting him fight is a good idea.”

Alyssa nodded sadly. This would be the thing she tortured herself over; whether she’d done the right thing. I don’t think any of us could accept killing someone was better than saving them, but then we weren’t the ones who would have to deal with the emotional aftermath. There were no winners in that situation.

“We should look over the weapons and food supplies,” Alyssa said quietly. “We need to make sure that everyone is comfortable for the journey ahead.”

She looked around the room as if trying to find someone to support what she was saying. She wouldn’t find anyone. We were all too worried about her to even consider agreeing to her plan. When she huffed in frustration, I knew she’d realised it, too.

“You need to rest, Alyssa,” Rhidian said quietly, braver than the rest of us who hadn’t even attempted to bring it up yet.

The glare she sent his way in response confirmed that I had no desire to be in his position.

“I’m. Fine!” She all but seethed through her teeth.

“You’re not!” Rhidian threw his hands up in the air, and I could see him getting ready for an argument.

It wouldn’t get us anywhere, and even if I agreed with him, antagonising Alyssa now would only make her double down on her resolve. It didn’t take a mate bond to see the exhaustion on her face and if she tried to push through this; she was going to make herself ill.

“Lys, we need you strong if this plan is going to work and even then it’s risky as fuck. We all know the gist of this prophecy that Fizzle is playing close to his chest, and I don’t want to see it come to light. Not just because it won’t only be your blood soaking into the ground.” Rhidian sounded just as exhausted as she was as he paced away. “I love that you’re stepping up and ready to lead these people. But you can’t do that if you don’t look after yourself. They need you whole. I need you…”

Rhidian’s voice trailed away, and he didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he stood in front of one of the windows and stared out into the night. Alyssa had told us all about Rhidian’s royal mark. It was probably the only reason some of us had reluctantly trusted him. If he was going to save himself, then he needed to find a way around this prophecy, and that was the only way we could save her, too. I didn’t give a fuck about myself. The others would look after her once I was gone. If that was the price of keeping her safe, then I’d pay it gladly.

Deciding to take pity on Rhidian, I stepped up behind Alyssa, gently squeezing her shoulders as I guided her back to lean against me.

“I can feel how much you’re hurting right now,” I told her. “Come and rest. We need to check in with the others and see how they want to handle the Damon situation.”

Rhidian glanced over his shoulder at us both and I could see the relief on his face when she silently nodded. I knew Alyssa well enough to know that demanding she do something wouldn’t work once she’d dug herself in. But give her a task, something that she needed to do for someone she cared about, and you might just have a chance.

“You have nothing to prove here,” I added, hoping that Rhidian didn’t hear that part. If he did, he at least had the good graces not to show it as he turned back to the window, giving us the illusion of privacy.

“I do,” she told me mournfully. “I can’t let them down, Tank. Not again. These are my people now and they’re not safe. I… I can’t go through this again.”

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