Page 73 of A War of Three Kings

“Why not?” he asks, eyes ablaze.

“I want to do it properly. Not when my father hates you and my grandmother is still potentially murderous, and my former bethrothed is trying to kidnap me because he thinks he has a claim to me. I don’t want to marry with an army on our doorstep.” A tear rolls down my face. “Especially not when we would have to keep it a secret.”

“I don’t care about them. I just want you.” His thumbs brush over my cheeks and I almost crumble into his arms. The urge to cave and give him what he wants is incredibly strong.

“I care.”

I untangle myself from his grip and pull him to the stairs that lead down from the battlements, toward the meeting room. We almost don’t make it to the war council. The temptation to find another closest and rip each other’s clothes off almost overcomes us.

The meeting almost erupts into yelling chaos multiple times as we move pieces around the great map sprawled out across the table and reevaluate our situation.

“Perhaps the king has heard of our stand here and is balking already at the idea of war,” Countess Lynna suggests, not for the first time.

“Or he plans to snatch Keira and retreat,” Aldrin grumbles.

“He cannot! To break the oaths of peace during a negotiation would not be tolerated!” Lord Bradford cries.

“Just like disrespecting the sacred vows of a Mother of Magic?” my grandmother bites out, and the lord falls silent.

“I know Finan better than anyone here,” I venture. “He is the most unpredictable person I have ever met. We can’t anticipate his whims, but Lord Desmond is a rational schemer. He plans several moves in advance and wouldn’t do something as rash as kidnapping me. It would turn the people against him. Not all thelords have pledged their support to the king, and they still need those in the midlands and the South of Strathia placated to have a path open for their retreat to Sunbright City.”

“And you’re sure you will not marry the king?” Lord Tomas asks in a high-pitched voice. “It could avoid a war.”

Every single person around the table shoots him a dark look, and for a moment I think Aldrin is going to launch himself across the table and end him. He would have to get there before my father, who wears a similar expression.

“This war is about more than just a marriage proposal!” my grandmother spits. “It is about the autonomy of every priestess. Of every lord and lady being able to control their own destiny. You will never suggest that my granddaughter marry that mad king again.”

Lord Tomas holds up his hands, jowls flapping as he speaks. “Okay. Okay. I thought it prudent to ask.”

I am so sick of his snide comments and digs to get a reaction that makes him feel like a big, powerful man. As I open my mouth to tell Lord Tomas as much, the heavy double doors swing open, and we all whip around.

Klara and Silvan all but carry Drake into the room, lifting him under each arm. He can hardly walk on his own. Aldrin leaps from his seat and grabs Drake, depositing him in a chair at the table, then squatting before him.

“Do you have the answer?” Aldrin says softly, and Drake nods, almost tipping forward.

My father stands abruptly and his seat clatters as it tips over. “What happened to you, man? Were you attacked?”

“By the gods, I will set the executioner on whoever harmed him,” my grandmother chimes in. “These fae are under my protection!”

I rush from my seat and pour a cup of water for Drake from the side table, not trusting the precision of my air magic asAldrin does. I tuck the cup into Drake’s hand.“He is suffering from severe magic depletion,” I toss over my shoulder.

Already Aldrin, Klara and Silvan are channeling their healing powers into Drake. His eyes finally focus, and he groans, rolling his neck and making the joints pop.

“I feel like the entire Wild Hunt rode over the top of me,” he mumbles. “I sat in the same position for a day and two nights.”

“What did you find on your travels?” I urge him.

“Where did he go?” My father’s angry rumble sounds right behind me. “I did not give any of my soldiers permission to leave this fortress.”

Drake laughs at that. “Physically? I never left my chambers. I sent out my consciousness to the winds and traveled across your realm until I found your enemy and took a good look at their approaching army.”

“Fae can do that?” Countess Lynna asks with awe.

“This one can,” Drake retorts.

“It is rare in our kind,” Klara adds, looking down at her husband with pride.

“Drake. Give us your report,” Aldrin cuts in.

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