Page 62 of King's Warrior

Eoghan sat stony-faced.

Casseign said, “That is all for now, Lord Ferund. I may have more questions later.”

“Which I will happily answer,” Rufe replied. “May I go now?”

“You may, as can you, Eoghan, but don't go far. We might have more questions for you as well."

Rufe left the room, not looking back, which would have given away more than he and Niam wanted.

Cass said, “King Niam, I’m putting additional guards on your doors, as well as on the princes’ and the queen mother's, personally chosen by me. Guards I trust implicitly.”

“Thank you. Do you mind explaining why you weren’t there to guard me? You were called away during dinner, were you not?”

Casseign scowled. “Patrols found two of my best men dead, stripped of their uniforms, and thrown into a ravine outside the Dellamar gates. I went to investigate.”

Two more dead, and their uniforms taken. “Thank you, Captain. Now, the hour is late. Can you assure my safety and continue the investigation if I retire?” Niam asked the question as a courtesy and out of respect. The captain carried out his duties to the best of his abilities, and Niam wouldn’t stand in his way.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Captain Casseign, will it disrupt your work if I request you stay close as part of my primary guard?” Cass knew Rufe’s actual position in Niam’s life and would never divulge the information, making him the best choice.

The captain dipped his chin. “Your Majesty, I would be honored.”

Niam trudged from the room with a heavy heart despite having Casseign at his side. If not for the late hour, he’d check in on his sons and mother, but to do so now would only scare them. They were well protected. He’d speak with Mother in the morning.

Cass searched the rooms before Niam entered, then, accompanied by another guard, took up a position outside the door.

The moment Niam locked the door, a panel by the bookshelf opened. Rufe stepped out, darting looks around the room before taking Niam into his arms. “Are you all right?”

Niam nodded, his stubbled face brushing against Rufe’s plain cotton tunic. “A bit shaken, but otherwise okay. How did you know how to get here?”

“Your mother told me.” Rufe retreated but kept one hand on Niam’s shoulder. “You need to lock this panel or post a guard. If I can get in so easily,others can, too.”

“I’ll have to be careful who knows about the door. I don’t want the family’s escape routes known.”

“Cass and Vihaan know. How about the boys? Your mother? Are they safe?”

“They’re fine, and their entrances to the hidden passageways aren’t directly in their rooms. This room’s passage wasn’t simply an escape route, but access for mistresses, which only encouraged secrets.” Oh, the family history—ripe with philanderers.

“We’ll find someone you trust if you’d rather not overburden Cass.” Rufe cupped Niam’s cheeks between his palms, devouring Niam’s soul with a piercing dark glare. “Nothing bad can happen to you. Understand? I won’t let it.”

Rufe’s declaration went further to calm Niam’s fears than a platoon of loyal soldiers. Rufe slammed his mouth down on Niam’s, conquering, tasting, and likely reassuring himself of Niam’s continued well-being.

Niam gave in return. How could a confident, self-assured man like Rufe want a spoiled princeling who could scarcely wield a sword?

Rufe ended the kiss, eyes full of regret. As though reading Niam’s thoughts, he said, “I wish Yarif were here to teach you, but we need to find someone who can, so you can protect yourself.”

“I learned basic knife skills from Mother, but I’ll never be a warrior. I tried to learn, but my father’s swordsmen said I’d never amount to much. Then again, the training I received was intended for someone far larger than myself.”

“The warrior who trained Yarif was his size and trained in methods of fighting we’re unfamiliar with, no less deadly for his lack of bulk. In fact, he was more so, given others’ tendencies to underestimate him and the speed associated with a limber body. Did I tell you about the standoff when I met Yarif?”

“Only a little.” Yarif had hinted at a less-than-cordial first impression but hadn’t gone into details.

“He was holding off several soldiers determined to get to his brother and sister. He used a rapier, not a broadsword, and moved in ways I’ve never seen, using his body as his weapon. Beautiful, lethal. Draylon would rather fight with Yarif by his side than any other man, even me, and he and I have fought many battles together.”

Rufe and Draylon had done more than fight, which also concerned Niam, not that they still entertained a physical relationship. Still, Draylon’s hard musculature differed from Niam’s less-defined physique if Draylon represented Rufe’s tastes.

Rufe likely misread the doubt on Niam’s face. “We’ll find you a teacher. One for your sons, too. Not your mother. I already wouldn’t want to meet her in a dark room.” He chuckled, lightening the mood.

---