Page 114 of King's Warrior

Niam held up a hand. “Again, this was Whreyn’s plan. But the ones he thought would help him help no one but themselves. He has sacrificed every one of you for his greed. He has told you that Delletina joining the empire would destroy our kingdom. Maybe under Emperor Soland, but under Emperor Avestan Aravaid, weshall prosper. Despite what Whreyn may have told you, they don’t want your lands or children.”

“What do they want?” an elderly lord asked.

“To open trade with us again. Yes, they want our gold. Not to take, but to barter. We’ve lost many villages to natural disasters. They can help us make our land farmable again.”

“Lies!” Whreyn screamed. “All lies!”

Draylon grabbed his arm. “I would advise you, Lord Whreyn, not to slander your king. Especially not to the emperor’s brother.”

Whreyn flinched away, his gaze now terror-filled and trained on Draylon. Draylon grinned.

“Because of Lord Whreyn, we weren’t able to complete a treaty with Lord Rufe as the emperor’s emissary. I escaped Whreyn's machinations and have met with the emperor myself. We have a signed treaty. Delletina has formally entered into an agreement with the empire. There’s nothing you can do to stop progress, Whreyn.”

Whreyn struggled, but Vihaan and Draylon held tight. “Just wait until the soldiers get here!”

How bold of the man to confess to his crimes.

“They’ll never breach the city walls. Even now, Herixian and Glendoran soldiers have them surrounded.” Niam returned his attention to the people. “This is part of the treaty. Protection from our ancient enemy.”

“I shall still be your bride,” Olivia exclaimed, seemingly recovered from her faux fainting. “I carry your child!”

Niam might’ve once felt pity for her, a young woman cowed by her powerful uncle. Now he saw her for what she was: a conniving woman who’d stop at nothing to get her way. “No, you do not, and I cannot marry you. I am already married to Lord Rufe Ferund, heir to the Duke of Haston in Cormira.”

Olivia screamed, flying at Niam, claws out. “Uncle swore to me—”

Nera grabbed the woman's arm before she got close. “I think you’ve said enough, lass. I’d stop now before you further incriminate yourself.”

“Let go of me!” Olivia screamed.

Nera whirled the woman to face her. Olivia paled, then attempted a graceful swoon, spoiled when Nera let go, forcing Olivia to catch herself on a chair.

Niam lifted his and Rufe’s linked hands. “My loyal subjects, I’m honored to introduce King Consort Rufe Ferund Fjell.”

A heavily bejeweled matron rose from her chair, shouting, “Long may he reign!”

Several others joined in. Not all, but enough for a majority. Rufe and Niam would have their hands full, but they’d work through the ranks, weeding out the dissidents.

Casseign burst through the door. “Your Majesty! The battle has begun!”

Chapter Forty-six

Two choices tore at Rufe’s soul: stay and protect Niam or do what many seasons of training prepared him for. He met Niam’s troubled gaze. “What kind of consort would I be if I didn’t defend my new home?”

Niam pressed his forehead to Rufe’s, cupping one cheek in his hand. “Go. But my heart goes with you.”

Before Rufe could respond, Niam whirled away in a cloud of purpose and determination, snapping out orders. “Take Whreyn to a cell. Make sure he can’t escape.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Draylon replied, dragging the resisting Whreyn.

“You’ll regret this!” Whreyn seethed.

Niam put his nose inches from Whreyn’s. “What? Letting you live instead of gutting you now for all you did and tried to do to my family?”

Whreyn paled, allowing himself to be escorted by Draylon and Vihaan. Rufe followed his friends and their captive, fighting the desire to plunge a dagger into Whreyn’s back with every step. A backward glance over his shoulder showed Rufe a king in action, delivering more orders, projecting calm for his people’s sake. Noone who saw him or how he handled himself would ever doubt Niam’s station in life. He left Rufe in awe.

Cass intercepted the procession to the cells. “I know where to take him.”

Draylon nodded, and the five of them trudged down the hallway, filled with screaming nobles and shouting guards, to a section of the castle made from worn stone.

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