Iwalked into my rooms groaning.
It had been a long day. A shit one too. From start to finish I’d spent my day wrapped up in that damned Fae girl. Making sure she had enough guards. Making sure every damned gate, every entrance, every passageway was watched.
I wasn’t going to let anyone get into the castle, wasn’t going to do anything that could risk losing her.
And then to take a break I’d gone down to train with Ridley only to be cornered by some of my generals wanting to know if the rumours were true. Wanting to know if she existed.
I clenched my fists, tossed my cloak, and walked over to pour myself a strong drink.
I’d only just gotten back to Montefore and half of me wanted to be sent away again, to go off on some errand have some space.
I shook my head, necked the contents of my glass and began unpacking. King Rette had been kind enough to arrange transport for our things back, allowing us to travel light.
They’d arrived the day before us and as I opened the bags I noted the extra packages sitting amongst my clothes.
I smirked, knowing he was playing a joke, teasing me.
Inside the paper wrapped packages I found a gold cup, some jewels, all things a vainer person would happily accept. All things he’d tried to gift to me and I’d refused.
I put them on the side. They’d make a nice extra present for my brother, along with the Fae girl.
I sunk back into the couch, thinking of Uther. I didn’t like the fact he’d gone to Seford without me. In fact, I hated it. As much as he’d tell me it was his duty to see it, the reality it was mine. I was his commander, I was tasked with keeping his lands safe. If there had been an attack it was on my head not his.
I rubbed my eyes sighing. It was the third attack this season. They were picking up pace. Though we’d plotted them all on a map there didn’t seem any pattern to them. Nothing that we could use to predict where the next one might be.
I guess that was the point though.
To keep us guessing.
To keep everyone afraid.
And to destabilise the kingdom enough that the people might rise up in revolt. And ultimately, dethrone my brother.
I shook my head. I’d die before that happened. As would most of his army, most of the Magi too.
I guess the question was which of the Lesser Kings would stay loyal and which would take the opportunity when it presented itself?
I was too tried to do this now, too tired to think about which Lesser King was loyal and which would stab us in the back if the opportunity presented itself.
I shut my eyes, letting the sleep take me, ignoring the fact that I was still on the couch.
* * *
Her mouth was on me.Her hands were grasping at me. I groaned, holding her body tight to mine. Smelling that beautiful floral scent of hers.
“Elynn.” I murmured.
She laughed before nipping playfully at my lip.
I threw her over my shoulder, carrying her into our bedroom as my hand slipped under her skirts and I slapped her bare arse hard enough that she yelped.
She smacked me on my back and I laughed.
“I’ll make you pay for that.” She stated.
“Yeah?” I replied tossing her onto the bed.
She narrowed her eyes, bit her lip, then started sliding her dress down.