Page 22 of War King's Treasure

“Damn straight,” Jo said as she marched up to the table and sat beside Gavin and Nori. Theo took the place right beside her. “Nori’s ours now, and we’re not giving her back.”

“Agreed!” Rory called as she and Jamie followed Jo and Theo across the room.

Nori’s heart filled up as Rory and Jamie sat on their other side, Rory reaching out to clasp Nori’s hand. She noted her grandfather’s gaze going between her and Rory. She wondered if he was finally realizing what he’d lost. Maybe, he saw their mothers instead of them. Did Rory look as much like her mother, Anne, as Nori did her mother, Rosamund?

“I’ve made many mistakes in my life,” he admitted. “But none so devasting as the ones I’ve made with both of you. You!” He pointed at Robert. “Get out. Ride hard for home and let your family know I’ll be there soon, so they can feel the full brunt of my displeasure.”

“You’ll pay for this,” Robert snarled at Nori as he moved away.

“His blood is mine,” Gavin growled out to Phillip.

“I’ll handle the Buckinghams,” Phillip countered.

“Not when it comes to my wife,” Gavin warned. She saw him nod and turned just in time to see Con and Cris follow Robert out of the keep. She felt no pity for him. Robert deserved whatever her husband did to him.

“I haven’t been honest with you,” Phillip said, pulling everyone’s attention to him.

“Of course not,” Jamie stated with no surprise.

“Your father is still alive,” Phillip told Rory. “He never knew your mother was pregnant. I thought I knew what was best for her, refused to allow another soldier into my family. I refused to believe he’d be worthy of my favored Anne. I was wrong, and all three of you suffered for it.”

“My father’s alive?” Rory sat forward. “Who is he? Where is he?”

“I sent word to him, requesting he join me here. I’m truly sorry, Rory. Your mother saw the man in him while I was too blinded to.”

“Who is he?” Jamie demanded again when Phillip didn’t answer Rory’s question.

“A commander in my army. He oversees our eastern border, and the raids that still occur along them. I sent word he was needed here. That was two days ago. He’ll need time to put measures in place at his post, then he’ll head this way. In another few days, perhaps, depending on how quickly the messengers rode. He won’t come alone. He’ll ride in with soldiers he’s handpicked and trained.”

“What message did you send?” Nori asked.

“That his king needed him,” Phillip stated.

“He’ll come prepared for battle,” Gavin warned.

Phillip sighed but nodded.

“You thought to attack a keep full of War Kings and their warriors?” There was no missing the incredulity in Theo’s voice.

“At the time, my only thought was to protect my kingdom and my granddaughter.”

Nori felt the hit when he put his kingdom first. Before Gavin, she would have never questioned it.

“Don’t underestimate Rowan York. He may be called a soldier, but he’s more than proved he’s a warrior to the core. One, I’ll miss terribly,” her grandfather added.

“Why would you miss him?” Nori asked then turned to Gavin. “Surely, you won’t kill Rory’s father?”

“My wife’s father will be fine,” Jamie answered. “Your grandfather is another story.”

“I only meant I’d miss him because, once he finds out he has a daughter, he’ll never remain by my side.” Phillip laughed, but there was no humor to it. He gave Nori a look she found curious before he continued. “He’ll probably attempt to kill me before any of the War Kings, and I wouldn’t blame him. I wouldn’t blame him at all.”

Nori took a good look at her grandfather. She suspected he still hid something. It definitely weighed on him. She wasn’t sure if it was the truths, the lies, or just the past catching up with him, but he looked weary. She felt a trickle of unease as she realized how very human he was. Flesh and blood, and flesh and blood could be injured. He was no longer the invincible figure she’d always found him to be. And that worried her more than she wanted to admit.

Chapter Ten

“Where are you going?” Nori asked as Gavin lifted her from his lap and stood.

He couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on her lips. He wanted to carry her back up to the bedchamber they shared and indulge both of them with more love play, but he expected she might be too sore to enjoy it as much as he would.

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