Page 52 of The King's Man 4

It’s not unheard of for commanders’ chambers to have secret passages running to the outside of outposts. Many war stories tell of redcloak messengers being sent down them during battle, to gather help from neighbouring outposts. It’s not even the first secret tunnel I’ve been in.

“It may feel impossible, like there’s only floundering in the dark, but if you look you’ll see lanterns lining the way. People on your side, giving their light.”

I close my eyes on the rolling punches in my gut. I promised I’d be the light moving with him. Instead...

Stiffly, I lower myself onto the ladder, gripping the rungs hard.It’s not a betrayal.If I stay, a brighter more consistentlight will go out. Nicostratus must always be there, steadfast for his brother, as he has been for decades. It’s better to give up the smaller light for the bigger one.

With a croaky voice, I call to Quin that it’ll all be alright, that he’ll be alright, and begin my descent into the cold. Each step away feels like something stretching painfully inside, about to snap at any moment. I should be worrying about refugees and murderers, but in the dark of this tunnel, I’m swimming in memories.

My soldad. Pretending to be my master. Encouraging me to fight for a place in the examinations. Giving me gloves to protect my hands. Trying to stop me from entering the bloodthirsty royal city; looking out for me when I went anyway. Cheekily suggesting I steal his pearl heart and gleefully punishing me for it. Letting me absorb his blood to infuse wyverns. Allowing himself to be publicly spanked; entering a poisonous miasma in my place; sacrificing his own healing for that of his subjects. Stealing me away. Promising to support me. Watching with wide-eyed amusement as I danced for him. Hiding with me in a coffin.

Holding me.

My eyes are hot; my throat stings, and my hands choke each rung violently. There’s a sound above, and I miss my step, lose my footing. My arm jerks with my weight and my grip fails.

The world tips—the ladder vanishes beneath my feet, and wind tears through my lungs. Panic surges, but before I can scream, I’m caught—held in a blur of motion. Warmth closes around me, solid and steady.Quin.His arms lock around me, anchoring me even as we descend. His breath is hot against my temple, his grip secure and safe. When we hit the ground, he lets go, and the chill rushes back in.

“I told you not to leave my side!”

All those memories are crammed into my throat and I’m choking on them. I shove him. “Fine. Let’s talk so that Ican. Why are you angry? Because of last night?”

He growls.

“I didn’t take you for the clingy type.”

Quin slams a hand against the damp wall beside me and leans close. “Don’t test me. You must know why I’m feeling this way.”

“Because I left you, after.”

“After, what?”

In the tight confines of the narrow tunnel, I yank him close until my back hits the wall and I’m pressed in on all sides. “Why are you so infuriating?”

“After, what?”

The damp earth and musty stone are a cool contrast to the fiery heat of Quin’s body.

“After—”

I can’t take it anymore—his questions, his presence, the unbearable heat of his nearness.

I grit my teeth, grab him around the nape, and slam my mouth against his. Fire and ice and lightning. My skin comes alive the instant our lips touch. I’m a cascade of goosebumps and my heart feels like it’s tumbled over a waterfall and is rushing away from me. Slowly the rush gives way to calmer waters and as my senses return, I gasp, tremble, and shove at Quin. Quin, who has gone still under my launch.

Heat floods my face as I wait for him to tell me how I lost control like this last night too; how I couldn’t hold myself back; how I—

“What was that?” he murmurs.

“What happened last night.”

The lines of his body shift against mine, and his hand cradles my head from the hard wall, fingernails sliding with a tantalisingshiver over my scalp. His sigh against my wet lips is uneven. He dips his face against my throat and his nose glides up to my ear. “Last night...thatnever happened.”

My hands suction clammily onto the uneven wall behind me. “But you were half naked. You usually toss me off the bed!”

“I couldn’t summon the strength. And tossing you out of my bed? Takesallmy strength.”

A zap of more electricity. “Y-you were upset this morning. I thought—”

“Why would I be upset at you kissing me?”

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