Page 153 of An Archer's Redemption

“Lead us out, son, before the Vintners start shaking their shells.”

A joke?

Had my father cracked a joke?

That might have stunned me more than seeing Declan.

“Right. Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

When we reached the enormous room where the Queen held state dinners, I panicked. Declan was seated by Keelan at the head table. A page directed us to a side table midway across the chamber.

Declan’s eyes darted from Keelan and the Queen to me, and I could tell his attention was divided between a royal conversation and keeping track of where I sat. Something in the simplicity of that act felt like a thousand caterpillars dancing a jig in my chest. I could not have scraped the smile off my face with a mason’s tool.

Toasts were offered.

Dinner was served.

Glasses and mugs sloshed and were refilled more times than I could count.

After so many months of darkness and enmity between our nations, this might have been the most joyous occasion I could remember since the troubles began.

A serving girl startled me as she reached across to refill my goblet. By the time I looked back toward the head table, Declan’s chair stood empty. I glanced around, but he was nowhere to be seen.

The King and Queen chatted as though nothing was amiss.

My heart began to race.

Where had he gone?

Was he all right?

Was—

“The Queen has given us leave, should you wish it.” The voice I would know anywhere was low and raspy. His breath stirred heat. It tickled the skin of my ears and sent a surge up my spine.

Without turning my head, I lifted my freshly filled glass to my lips and whispered.

“Get me out of here, please.”

Ifelthim smiling behind me.

Loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, Declan said, “Lord Ambassador, it is a pleasure to see you. Would you mind if I stole your son for a moment? The Queen asked that I give him a tour of the Palace.”

Lord Byrne had just taken a healthy bite of roasted boar. He tried to swallow a bit too quickly and had to chase it with wine to keep from choking.

“Yes, yes. Thank you for taking him off my hands.”

“Thank you, Lord Ambassador, and congratulations on your appointment. Ranger Byrne, please come with me.”

It took every ounce of control I possessed to rise in a manner resembling anything stately, pay my respects to those about us, and turn to follow Declan.

It took even more control to resist grabbing his face and kissing him right there before the whole of the Spirits-damned Kingdom.

I felt a hundred eyes stare as we strode back toward the head table, then exited through a door flanked by two royal guards. The men, resplendent in their polished plate, gave Declan a quick bob as we passed.

“Did they just—”

“Yes,” he growled. “You should address me as Prince or Your Highness now.”

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