Page 41 of A War of Three Kings

Edmund stalks toward the stairs that lead to the main balcony, then throws a withering glare over his shoulder at me. “To the war room. Now. We have a war to plan.”

I don’t miss a beat, limping after him and grinning foolishly behind his back, despite the way my entire body feels like it has an inferno dancing across it.

All it took was a brief battle of wills, some pretty serious burns on my part, and exposing Edmund’s greatest secret for me to be taken seriously by Keira’s father.

Chapter 10

Keira

The entrance courtyard of the keep is bustling with people preparing our horses and securing our supplies. I feed an apple to my dappled gray mare, watching the guards move with purpose.

The war meeting yesterday stretched from midday until late in the night. I was shocked senseless when my father arrived with Aldrin in tow, then lost my mind over the condition he was in. I immediately had Klara and Drake tracked down and dragged in to heal him.

The hours of circular arguments were enough to give me a headache. We came to the same conclusion in the end: the forces of the Appleshield Protectorate, the Northern Mothers of Magic and Aldrin’s fae will band together to prepare for this war.

Our first task is to visit each of the lesser noble houses of the North who owe their allegiance to my family and muster their support in the coming conflict.

There is no guarantee they will side with us over the king, or take part at all. Still, we will embark in two groups: a band of warriors led by my father, and a band of priestesses led through the portals by my grandmother. Of the fae, only Aldrin andSilvan will travel with us. The rest will remain behind to train Appleshield’s main body of troops and march when they do.

The chaos of the courtyard this morning is a balm for my soul. It is a relief to take action. The warriors rushing around me are preparing for war because I refused to marry Finan.

I try not to let guilt suffocate me, but I can’t help committing each face to memory as they work and laugh together. Many nod their respects at me as they pass. Not a single person holds resentment for me, and that is still something I find shocking.

Gods, I hope it doesn’t come to battle or bloodshed. I don’t know how I could stand people losing their lives so I can keep my freedom. What makes me any more important than them?

But I have spent so many years attributing no worth at all to myself. It is the consequence of living in Finan’s shadow.

No more.

Around me, fae and humans work together, and the sight makes my heart soar. Months ago, this scene would have been perfection—a fairytale dreamed up in a foreign realm while lying beside a beautiful fae man—if it weren’t for the undercurrents.

Many of the guards are just as nervous around my father as they are with the fae, and it’s not just because of his constant simmering rage. Others are friendly with Aldrin and Silvan as they utilize lazy air wields to place saddles on the horses. Aldrin laughs with Liam and Aiden as they attempt to do the same, catching the wield when it slips and threatens to drop the supplies.

“Don’t take on the burden of the coming battles,” Caitlin says at my side. I jump. I didn’t notice her approach. “Finan’s bad behavior is not your responsibility. His choice to start a civil war is not your fault. Remember, this is larger than you. They fight for the freedoms of their wives and daughters and every priestess who ever made sacrifices to save this realm.”

I run my hands across my eyes. I know this; it is just so hard to believe it. How much simpler it would be if I gave up everything I am, sacrificed my happiness and lost the life I deserve, to preserve theirs.

“Cheer up,” Caitlin huffs. “Most of these soldiers are excited about traveling between the lower lords’ estates to drink, eat and enjoy festivities. We are the ones who have to do the hard job of convincing them to muster.” Such a deep scowl forms on her face at having to socialize with lords that I want to laugh.

“They will muster,” I say. “The Northerners are too proud to let a Southern king march his army across their lands and take whatever he wants.”

Caitlin squeezes my arm, but her attention is quickly dragged away by the Captain of the Guard, who stalks toward us.

Gwyneth’s lips twist nastily as she asks, “Is it true? Are the rumors true?”

Caitlin shoots me a panicked look, but fixes her features as she turns to her partner. “What rumors?”

“Is it true thatfaemales father the magical pregnancies?” Gwyneth hisses. “That a pilgrim lies with them? That we have all been told lies?”

I tense. Was a guard listening at the door when Aldrin revealed as much to my father?

“I laid with no fae,” Caitlin snaps.

“Caitlin speaks the truth,” I confirm. “You know she wouldn’t betray you.”

Gwyneth tosses her head, her many long, black braids flicking out behind her like whips. “You know what the fae did to my family, Caitlin. To my sister!”

Caitlin places a hand on her shoulder. “Trust me, okay? We will talk when I get back.”

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