Page 115 of A Thieving Curse

She gaped, speechless. How self-absorbed was he that he didn’t see her fear? Her discomfort? Did he think she would appreciate his kisses while he treated her like a prisoner? He hadn’t even considered her feelings.Alex would—she stopped the thought as she remembered Tristan’s disclosure of his father’s endless comparisons.

Tristan rubbed his forehead. “Someone bring me another horse!”

There was some confusion as the men scrambled to fetch him another steed. He mounted the second horse and tied Raelyn’s reins to his saddle, but the fact he had listened, had altered his behavior, encouraged her.

“My lord?”

Tristan twisted to look back at her, and she held up her bound wrists. He grimaced like he’d tasted something sour, and indecision flickered in his eyes. At last, he shook his head. “I wish I could trust you enough to remove that. But you haven’t given me any reason to.” He faced forward again, but not before she saw the uncertainty on his face.

As they rode to the front of the company, Raelyn tried to nurture the weak hope that Tristan wasn’t entirely cruel.

39

THEY ARRIVED AT the Rethali palace the afternoon of the fourth day after leaving Mount Klainar. Raelyn nearly wept with joy when she saw her parents standing next to Henry Carbrey in the courtyard. A large group of Eynlaean knights stood behind them, and Rethali knights were assembled on Henry’s opposite side.

Father’s face was strained. Mother jittered and kept leaning forward, like she wanted to run to Raelyn. Henry watched them attentively. Tristan reined in his horse in front of them and leapt to the ground. He bowed to Henry, then turned to Raelyn and lifted her down. Mother gasped as Raelyn faced them.

“What is this?” Father strode forward and snatched up her bound hands. “What’s the meaning of this? Explain quickly!”

“She was fraternizing with the prisoners,” Tristan said, his tone level. He cut the ropes off her wrists. “Wasn’t following orders.”

Father hissed as the strands fell away, revealing angry red chafe marks and oozing welts. Mother crowded in next to him.

“Raelyn!” Mother reached tentatively toward her wrists as Father turned her hands over, exposing the healing blisters from digging Lucas’s grave. “What happened?”

Before Raelyn could answer, Father pulled her into a tight embrace. “This is unacceptable.” He’d never shown such unrestrained emotion, and his arms enveloping her felt comforting beyond words. Her eyes watered as she leaned into him. “Whatorderscould you give your bride that could warrant this!”

“What prisoners?” Henry demanded. “That’s the better question.”

“Traitors to the crown,” Tristan said.

“They’renottraitors.” Raelyn ducked out of Father’s embrace so she could turn around.

Tristan frowned at her before turning his attention to the rest of the party. “Bring them forward.”

Guards led Alex, Gareth, and the others to the front of the troop. Alex stumbled over the cobblestones, wincing with every step. Meredith and Jasper had to grab his arms to keep him from falling. Gareth held his head high, his shoulders back. The skin around the cut on his cheek had bruised far worse than the faint yellow bruises on Tristan’s face.

“It seems you are bent on war!” Father bellowed, his hand flying to his sword. Every Eynlaean knight followed their king’s lead.

“Prince Gareth,” Tristan said coolly, “put a sword to my neck and assaulted me. Again.”

Father appeared stricken. He looked to Gareth. “Is this true?”

Gareth spat. “I should have killed him.”

Several Rethali knights shouted, and Eynlaeans yelled back.

“Enough!” Henry’s exclamation carried over the crowd. He pointed at Alex, his face red. His lips curled into an irate scowl. “Who is this?”

Alex paled. He stared down at the cobblestones, his chest shaking with sharp breaths. Raelyn’s heart clenched. Jasper placed his hands on Alex’s shoulder and whispered something. Alex glanced up at Henry, then dropped his gaze again with a shudder as Jasper rubbed his arm.

“Guess he doesn’t want to talk.” Tristan tilted his head. “He—”

“You know who I am, Uncle,” Alex said, quiet and hesitant. He stood tall, inhaled deeply, and looked his uncle in the face. Jasper released Alex’s arm. Despite his quivering lower lip, Alex stood tall and regal.

Raelyn stepped back and leaned against Father, and he rested his hands on the top of her shoulders. She tugged on her braid and nervously watched Henry and Alex.

“I am Alexander Tallon.” He spoke louder, so the whole courtyard could hear, even though his voice shook. “Son of King Philip and Queen Kendra, rightful king of Rethalyon.” He lifted his chin, the muscles on his neck pulled tight. “I’m here to claim my throne and my wife.”

---