Page 137 of Lady of Ashes

“Let him go,” Tava said, her voice hardly a whisper.

“Tava,” Callan started.

“Let him go,” she said again, louder this time.

“He tried to—”

“I know what he tried to do,” Tava interrupted. “But he didn’t succeed. Release him. He was only trying to feed his family.”

Callan could feel Finn’s eyes on him, waiting for his orders, and he jerked his chin. Finn stepped away, placing himself between them and the man.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Finn snarled. “And report back to whomever you are working, for that if anyone attempts to abduct her again, they will answer to the Crown.”

“The fucking crown,” the man snarled, spitting at their feet. “Like any one of us here gives a fuck about the Crown. They won’t do anything unless it will add to their fucking coffers.” He started off down the alley, heading back for the main street, but he paused as he neared them. “You can bet we don’t need your help any more either,angel,” he drawled, pointing his ?nger at Tava. “You can just go be with your prince and stay the fuck outta here.”

Callan’s grip on her tightened as the man disappeared around the corner.

“Are you all right?” he asked, looking down at her and trying to see her face beneath the hood.

“Can we go please?” she whispered.

Callan nodded, keeping her close as Finn led them down the street and out of the slums. She was trembling beside him, and he knew it wasn’t from the cold. There were no passing carriages at this time of night, so they were forced to walk the hour back to the castle.

“Do you want me to take Lady Tava home?” Finn asked when they reached the castle gates.

He glanced down at her, her arms crossed over her chest and still shaking.

“No. Send a note to the Tyndells letting them know she is here. Tell them we had an early breakfast together or something, and that you escorted her,” Callan answered.

“Done,” Finn replied, as they made their way to a side entrance that would lead directly to the wing Callan’s private chambers were in.

When they reached the landing of his ?oor, Finn bid them goodnight and headed for his own chambers down the hall, and Callan let Tava into his rooms. He pulled her cloak from around her, getting her settled on the sofa before attempting to get the ?re going in the grate. It came back to life a little, enough to give off a small amount of heat. He poured them each a ?nger of whiskey before he grabbed a blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders and handing her a glass. Then he took a seat on the other end of the sofa.

“Tava, are you all right?” he asked gently.

“I should really go home,” she said softly. “My father and Drake will be worried.”

“I already have messages en route to them.”

“My father will not be pleased to hear I spent the night with you.”

“You stayed in another room because we wanted to have a quiet breakfast together this morning. He can talk to me if he has any questions,” Callan replied simply. “Finn and the night guard are our witnesses if needed.”

Tava nodded, silence falling around them again for several minutes before she said, “You knew this was a possibility.”

“You said yourself a few nights ago that I have personal guards because there is always danger,” he said. “It comes with the royal title. We also have some prominent enemies right now.”

Tava nodded once. “I should have seen it coming. It was stupid not to. I just didn’t think I would matter that much in the great scheme of things.”

Callan cocked his head. “You did not think that becoming royalty would matter in the great scheme of things?”

“I mean, I knew it would, butIhave never been that important,” she replied with a sigh, sipping on the liquor. “I have always been in the background, more of an afterthought.”

“You are anything but an afterthought, Tava,” Callan argued.

She glanced at him and gave him a small, knowing smile. “You rarely spoke to me before everything with Scarlett, Callan. Even when you dined in my home, I was formally greeted and then I sat quietly at the table. I am not complaining or seeking pity. I prefer to be in the background. You hear more there. However, I did not anticipate it affecting the people I was trying to help.”

“You are more worried about those who tried to aid in your abduction, than you are about the people who are actually trying to kidnap you?” Callan asked, a brow arching.

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