Page 43 of King's Warrior

“What?”

Yarif stared imploringly at Niam with big blue eyes that likely brought Draylon to his knees in more ways than one. “You’ll be careful with Rufe, won’t you?”

“Careful? You said that he had sufficiently healed for the journey.”If he comeswith me.

“Physically, yes, but he has the whole undeserved inferiority going on. He cares for you a good deal, I can tell, but…” Yarif sighed. “As king, what kind of relationship can you have? Would your people rebel at the thought? You know he’d walk away rather than put you in danger.”

“We’re simply enjoying each other’s company.” Another lie Niam told himself. If only he were free to love whomever he wanted.

A sly smile lifted the edges of Yarif’s lips. “Cousin, you really need to work on being a better liar. I don’t believe you’re even trying.”

Niam scrubbed his hands over his newly shaved face, staring at the tapestry of a child playing with a ball and trying not to think too hard. “Perhaps not. But for now, I need him. If that’s not what’s best for him, maybe he shouldn’t go with me.”

“I don’t think anyone or thing could stop him.” Yarif rested a gentle hand on Niam’s arm. “Just… be careful with his heart.”

Niam pictured one of Rufe’s heart-stopping smiles that might be his undoing.

It’s Rufe who needs to be careful with mine.

The day went by in a blur as Yarif and the servants helped Niam prepare for the journey north. Still, he took the time to spend a fewmoments alone with Rufe, walking along a garden path toward the stables, slowing his pace to accommodate Rufe’s limp.

“I have a surprise for you,” Niam said, taking Rufe’s hand when they passed out of sight of the castle, where no one but their trusted guards, Captain Casseign and Commander Vihaan, bore witness.

“In the stables?” Rufe’s expression of confusion wasn’t normal, but it was adorable. And he spoke Delletinian, warming Niam’s heart by working so hard to learn his language.

Niam fought a grin and continued in Delletinian. “You’ll see.” He dropped Rufe’s hand when they came into sight of the stables, where a lad held the reins of a beautiful ebony mule, her mane and tail nearly a match for Rufe’s curls, her well-brushed coat gleaming in the sun.

She wore a rather plain saddle, far less ornate than those on some nobles’ mounts. But, when traveling cross-country, a fancy saddle would betray a traveler's riches, while the mule's quality might go unnoticed when carrying rider and packs. He would spare no expense to keep Rufe safe.

“As you’ve learned, mules are much better in the mountains than horses, and I thought you might like one of your own.” Niam stepped forward and stroked the mule’s velvet nose, avoiding the expression on Rufe's face. He couldn’t bear seeing disdain.

Rufe laughed, a joyful sound to lift a lover’s soul. “She’s gorgeous! And she’s mine?”

Heat filled Niam’s cheeks, while his tension lessened. “You need her. I understand you have a horse stabled here, but Princess willbe much more versatile in the mountains.” No use admitting to taking any excuse to present a gift.

“Princess?” Rufe ran a tentative hand over the mule’s nose, eyes alight and full lips upturned in a smile.

What a relief. “Yes. Apparently, Yarif’s friend Countess Exa raises horses, but as her home is in the low mountains, she also breeds a few mules, some of which she’d recently brought here for sale. Yarif assures me this is the finest mule the countess has ever bred.” A touch of pink stained Niam’s cheeks.

Rufe stroked Princess’s neck. Princess swung her head around to study him, then butted his shoulder playfully in aHey, I didn’t tell you to stopkind of way.

“I don’t know what to say. She’s amazing. Thank you!”

Niam couldn’t fight his smile. He should have trusted Yarif’s judgment. “I think the two of you make a perfect match. We leave tomorrow, so I thought you might like to ride her today. Start getting acquainted.”

Rufe glanced over his shoulder to Vihaan, asking in Cormiran. “Do we have time?”

Vihaan rubbed his impressive beard—brown, shot through with gray—with one hand. His bright blue eyes twinkled. He answered in heavily accented Cormiran, “An hour or two.”

Rufe petted the mule’s withers while she stood basking in the adoration. “She’s a beauty and knows it.” He fingered the fine leather reins and tugged lightly on the saddle blanket.

“Aye, she is,” Vihaan agreed.

Niam wouldn’t have noticed the suddenly blank expression on Rufe’s face had he not been closely watching.

“As much as I’d love to get acquainted, we have much to accomplish before tomorrow.” Rufe turned and strode purposefully back toward the castle.

Vihaan scowled, eyeing the mule critically but saying nothing.

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