Page 74 of A War of Three Kings

My heart races as Drake takes a sip of his water to stall. His eyes find mine, and there is sadness in them. “Two forces are approaching—the smaller one that is almost upon us for the negotiations, maybe a thousand soldiers strong, and a second that appears to be a week or two away, with around ten thousand soldiers. I saw seven banners, including the king’s, but I picked up bits of conversation that alluded to them recruiting more.”

The room turns deadly silent. No one even dares to breathe as we take in those facts. My blood turns to ice and my chest constricts painfully around my pounding heart. It feels like a wild animal is trying to claw its way out of my ribcage.

Lord Adalwolf breaks the silence. “How many soldiers do we have?”

“Six thousand,” my father says. “Near half their number.”

“We have control of the fortresses.” Caitlin points to our current location on the map with the tip of the dagger she was spinning in her hand. “We have intimate knowledge of the terrain, and our soldiers are all fighting for the survival of their homes and families. Those facts make a huge difference. A warrior fights harder when they have more to lose.”

“More of my fae warriors are on offer if you will have them.” Aldrin stares down each person in the room.

“I have already said it once. I can guarantee the conduct of the fae Aldrin speaks of,” Caitlin says.

“As can I.” I rise from Drake’s side and return my seat at the table. “Weneedthe help the fae are offering. If we want to trust them in trade agreements, we must also trust them to enter our realm.”

“And how do we know these fae won’t betray us once they are here?” Lord Tomas argues, spit flying from his mouth. “That they won’t do and take what they like when we are at our most vulnerable?”

“It is a risk,” Lord Adalwolf mutters.

Aldrin stands and leans over the table, every muscle in his thick arms rippling. “Do you think we high fae can’t enter this realm at will? That we can’t open every single portal whenever we want and waltz through? I am asking permission because we want an alliance. I will only summon fae to this war who are loyal to me and will do my bidding.”

“And how can we know you won’t betray us? You were just pulled out of Lord Edmund’s dungeons after all, were you not? Harboring any resentments?” Lord Tomas’ eyes dart around the room as he tries to gain the support of the others. “What’s to sayyouwon’t betray us?”

I scowl at him as dozens of retorts fly through my mind, but Countess Lynna’s gentle laugher throws me off balance.

“Can you not see it, Tomas? Are you truly that blind?” A thrill dances in her large eyes as she examines Aldrin, and there is a pretty pink flush across her cheeks that makes her look much younger than a woman in her late thirties.

“See what?” Tomas’ head turns from Aldrin to Lynna and back.

“Lord Aldrin is in love with the priestess Keira.” She spreads her arms wide. “I thought we all knew this and were too polite to say anything.”

My lips part, but all words die on my tongue. My stomach tumbles as heat floods my face, and it only worsens as my father shoots me a dark look.

Aldrin sends me an apologetic smile, but his eyes blaze as they drink me in. Lynna’s smile widens as though it is all the confirmation she needs.

Tomas stares at Aldrin as though he has never seen him before. Maybe he believed the fae to be unfeeling, or wasn’t able to humanize them enough to expect emotions and vulnerabilities from them. “Love hasn’t stopped a man from betraying people,” he says. “Especially when he realizes he won’t get what he wants.”

“Ah, but my dear Tomas, you don’t know how the fae love.” Lynna’s eyes turn distant, as though she remembers her own fae lover. “Even in unrequited love like this, they will stop at nothing to protect the one they love. It is why they have a brutal, vicious reputation. They kill and die for their love. They live their entire lives worshipping them, even if they never get that love back.”

Lord Tomas opens his mouth, but the countess waves him off.

“And yes, some become crazed and feral, and take a woman to lock her away, but it seems Aldrin here has had ample opportunity to do that and hasn’t. It means he will never betray Keira, and never do a thing that would bring her grief, likestealing her away and abandoning her family to this war. Does that sound familiar, Lord Aldrin?”

Aldrin gives her a smirk, but doesn’t look the least bit embarrassed. “You’re missing a few details, but close enough.”

Lord Adalwolf chuckles darkly, running a hand over his bald head. “So that explains why Edmund here looks like he will burst a blood vessel whenever Lord Aldrin is in the room.”

I think I will die. Combust into flames right here from the sheer mortification of these people discussing my love life. They have no idea how much truly lies between us, and I have to wonder if they would take it with the same knowing laughs if they knew the truth.

“Back to the matter at hand. Please,” my father growls. “Before I do burst a blood vessel.”

I shuffle awkwardly in my seat, and Caitlin leans in to whisper in my ear. “You are playing the part perfectly, by the way. Don’t let them catch the truth of you both until they are committed to the war, by deed as well as word.”

Lord Bradford props his elbows on the table, interweaving his hands and examining me over them. “As much as I hate to disturb this most entertaining development…” he says with a huge grin, earning a playful smack from Lynna. He grabs her offending hand, then kisses it. “My dear Lynna, men have gone to war over such a strike between houses.” He drags his gaze back to me and Aldrin. “As I was about to say before Lynna’s most vicious attack, I would like to vote in favor of Lord Aldrin recruiting more fae soldiers for this war, if we do not reach an agreement of peace with the king.”

Intense hope floods me. We might stand a chance, if they learn to trust Aldrin. I’m too scared to speak, to stop the momentum of this moment.

“I also vote in favor,” Countess Lynna quickly adds. “Peace or no, I hope you stick around for diplomatic discussions, Lord Aldrin.”

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