Page 111 of King's Warrior

Had Whreyn found them?

The pounding stopped and started again, but more of a tapping this time.Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tappity, tap.

Rufe snickered, singing along with the rapping. “Hey, lovely barmaid, bring me some ale….”

Draylon grinned, lifting the bar for the door.

Vihaan strolled in, wrapped in a cloak. “Queen Nera sends her regards.” Snow drifted down behind him before he closed the door. He shook the cloak and his hair. “It’s freezing out there.” He twisted his head right and left. “Hey, where’s the fire?”

“What fire?” Draylon asked.

His meaning hit. “Draylon,” Rufe murmured in reverent tones. “It’s warm in here. Yet there’s no fire.”

Niam wandered from the hallway. “A hot spring lies under the temple. Though most people use other entrances,we’ll find a warm bathing pool if we travel below ground. Only temple dwellers and guests could use the access beneath our feet.”

“Warm pool? Why didn’t you tell me last night?” Why had Niam kept such important knowledge to himself? Rufe would’ve stayed awake for a nice bath. Maybe.

“Because we’d have had to venture outside where others could see us,” Niam replied with a yawn.

“Oh.”

Niam kissed Rufe’s nose. “I promise to show it to you sometime.”

Vihaan cleared his throat. “Our scouts spotted a regiment of Herixian soldiers—fewer than the Craicians, but experienced in snow, cold, and mountain tactics, so we might be evenly matched despite our Glendorans' lack of high-altitude combat experience. However, the Craicians might have backup coming, too. I predict our soldiers will be here by noon.” He addressed Draylon. “I thought you might like to ride out to meet them with me.”

“I’ll come.” How dare they not include Rufe?

Vihaan and Draylon both glared. Draylon spoke, “You’re the consort and, as such, are too important to risk. Besides, some know you as a diplomat, but most here don’t know you as a warrior.”

Vihaan’s lips twitched into a lazy grin. “I’d love to see the surprise on their faces when they find out. But, come on. We need to move. It’s late morning.”

Late morning! They slept far longer than intended.

Vihaan continued, “I’ve got mules waiting in the trees with Cass. Um, I mean, Captain Casseign. He’s told me of caves where oursoldiers can hide until needed. He’s already ordered supplies from someone he says he can trust.” One side of Vihaan’s mustache lifted. “Actually, they’re being stolen from the shipment Whreyn intended for the Craicians.”

“I do like how that man thinks.” Draylon dashed back into the kitchen area and returned with a chunk of cheese, wiping milk from his mouth. “Lead on.”

Vihaan donned his furred cloak again, which turned out to be two, and he handed one to Draylon. They appeared more like two bears than two men, dressed in furs. It’d be a wonder if they didn’t scare the mules.

They left, closing the door behind them. At last, Rufe was alone with his husband. “What now?”

“Now, we return to Mother’s rooms. I know she has a plan. And for her sake, I hope the Herixians brought wine.”

Rufe could think of more pleasant ways to spend their time, but duty called. He barely restrained a put-upon sigh while following Niam back to the castle.

Chapter Forty-five

The tunnels’ twists and turns began to make sense to Rufe as he visualized which passageways led to which parts of the castle.

He remained quiet, not knowing if the tunnels carried sound, lost in his own thoughts. Did they have enough Herixians to defeat the Craicians? Rufe had fought side-by-side with Herixians before, learning their unique fighting style in the sparring ring.

Craicians were an unknown. The ones he’d encountered seasons ago surely didn’t represent the kingdom's best fighters. Their training emphasized leaving no survivors, just like at the farmhouse of Rufe’s nightmares. Only a fancy sword spared Rufe the farmer’s fate. He shuddered, forcing the memory from his mind. Seasons ago. Not relevant now.

Then all thoughts fled when he caught sight of Niam’s ass flexing in his trousers by the lantern’s light as they climbed, and he no longer registered anything but how Niam would look naked. It took a moment to realize when the flexing stopped. Rufe drew his dagger.

Niam gave Rufe a tired smile from over his shoulder and slid a door partially open.

Nera waited, a broad smile on her face. “Greetings, my sons! I’ve had a hot bath drawn and have suitable clothing for each of you. I sent food to the temple but had more brought here.”

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