Page 63 of A War of Three Kings

I lean down in the saddle to peer through the now half-open gateway, my mount snickering at me in its beastly way. It still sends a thrill of panic through me. The ground beyond the fort is level and wide enough for an army to stage a siege.

I glance at Keira. Her expression is solemn, and I cannot tell if she is crying or if it is rain washing down her face. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her hair. To tell her everything she needs to hear to bring back that smile. But her father and his stallion are between us. Edmund is constantly between us.

I grind my teeth. Each time I get a few stolen moments with her, he or Naomi materialize out of nowhere. I haven’t so much as tasted Keira’s lips again, much less enacted all the other desires that burn deep within me.

The clop of horses’ hooves echoes off rock walls as the road cuts through a field set up with soldiers’ tents and cooking fires. The green-and-bronze banners and uniforms of the Appleshield Protector Guard are all around us in this camp, alongside the smaller force of Lord Tomas’ warriors in green and gold.

At least the bastard came through on his promise to Keira. I will have to restrain myself from wrapping my hands around his pudgy little neck and choking the life out of him.

Stable boys brave the summer rain and rush over to take our horses. Our group disbands and the guards are sent to Appleshield’s camp. Edmund gives me a long look, as though heis deciding what to do with me, then he flicks his head toward the fortress.

We ascend a flight of steps into a crude hall teeming with activity.

Edmund grabs the tunic of a passing soldier and pulls him close. “Which lords and countesses are in residence?”

“M-my Lord Protector, only Lord Tomas has arrived so far,” the man stammers.

“Where is the Captain of the Guard?” Caitlin chews out. “Find Gwyneth and bring her to us immediately.”

Boots click on stone pavers behind us. “I am here.” Gwyneth materializes from a side corridor and stops multiple paces back. Her eyes glance from me to Silvan, then darken before sliding to Edmund. “I was on the ramparts and saw you ride in.”

“I want a full status report,” Edmund commands. “Where are the other armies?”

“The Countess Lynna and her force were right behind you. They will arrive any moment. Their ranks could be seen darkening the horizon from the highest rampart. Lord Bradford has sent word he will arrive by nightfall, and Lord Adalwolf requires a few more days to muster his forces and march here.”

Edmund nods.

I take a step toward the Captain of the Guard. “Where are my people?”

She gives me a scathing look, then dismisses me like I am a bug under her boot.

I stalk right up to the woman until I am towering over her. “I demand to be answered,” I growl in a low voice. “Have you brought them here, or tossed them back into a prison cell?”

The color drains from her face, but she narrows her eyes anyway. “Oh, they are here, and a thorn in my side. Forced us to give them a room in the fortress.”

“And why should they demand any less?” I bite out. The captain’s mouth works, but no words come out. She fears me. It means she has some intelligence.

“Gwyneth, is there any sign of Finan yet?” Keira asks, her voice hitching on his name, saving the damned captain from my questions.

“No.” Gwyneth’s dark eyes home in on Keira, and I lean against the masonry, not letting the woman out of my sight. “Our spies have gone silent. I wouldn’t put it past Lord Desmond to rid himself of anyone who might have ties with the North. The mad king is a fool to allow us to take this fortress.”

“That is something we can agree on.” I clench and unclench my fists.

“What would you know of these lands,fae?” Gwyneth hisses at me, her confidence suddenly back.

“Gwyneth,” Caitlin snaps, but her partner glares at me.

“I have fought in wars since before you were born,” I tell her. A piece of the stone archway crumbles to dust in my bare hand when my grip turns to an iron vise. “What do you know of battles compared to me?” My tone carries the promise of death.

On cue, Gwyneth backs away from me, her hands shaking. Her bravado is a performance, to prove her might to the other humans, but I am fucking tired of being patient with these people.

“There is another splendid development she failed to mention.” A male voice, filled with humor. “Your beloved brother Diarmuid has returned from the wilds and brought a small host of druids with him to help in the war effort.”

I turn to a young man who looks a similar age to Caitlin, tall and wiry, with messy brown hair to his shoulders and hazel eyes that smile. He wears the brown robes of a druid, but his are of fine-quality fabric and tailored to fit like a wrap-around surcoat.Keira runs to him and he wraps her in an embrace, lifting her off the ground.

Caitlin turns to me. “This is my twin, Diarmuid. I got all the brains.” She rolls her eyes, but he pulls her into the hug with Keira.

“And I got all the charisma,” Diarmuid replies. He finally releases his sisters and holds out an arm to me. I take it and we shake. “You must be Aldrin. We are going to be great friends, I just know it. I spent far too many hours searching the dungeons for you for it to be otherwise.”

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