Page 181 of Enchanted Heir
Beau let out an audible gasp. “Yes. We didn’t know. Please believe we didn’t know.”
I shook my head and said at a normal volume, “You didn’t care to ask. You let your hate control you. And you would’ve not only killed an innocent man in the process, but possibly theonlyman who is strong enough to kill your real enemy.”
He put his hands in the air in surrender. “We will wait. We will wait to hear from you before we make a move. You know more than we do about what goes on at that castle anyway. You have my word,” he promised.
I didn’t blame Beau specifically, if anything I was sure he was a calm voice of reason within the Nerede disloyal, it was just that it was all too little too late. “We work together?”
He gave me a nod and said quietly, “Consider all of the disloyal in Nerede under your guidance, Jorah. We will defer to you from this point forward.”
I let out a sigh. That wasn’t exactly what I had been going for, but if it kept my people safe, I’d take it. “Are all the fires out?”
He swung to ask another person, that person nodding. “Yes. Prince Keiran just put the last one out.”
I choked on my next question. “How many?” I paused to swallow. “How many people did we lose?”
“At least five so far,” another answered.
I tipped my head back to look at the stars, but all I saw was the haze from the smoke. “No more innocent people die.” I wasn’t sure if I was commanding them or reminding myself.
“Is there anything we can do?” Beau asked.
I gave my head a shake. “Just make sure everyone is accounted for. Find housing for those who are displaced.”
“I meant for you,” Beau offered.
“I do need a few people to care for every single horse that the Enchanted with me rode to Nerede on,” I admitted. “Those horses are the reason tonight wasn’t any worse. They need to be watered, fed, and brushed down.”
Immediately, a man turned and barked orders, buckets getting gathered for the horses.
“And then in the morning we figure out how to rebuild,” I added as I glanced at the bakery before looking to the pink scarf still in my hand. “If we even can.”
As people moved into motion, Krew, who had been quiet the entire exchange, pulled me aside.
“I’m sorry if I said anything I shouldn’t,” I offered. I’d been extremely angry and hadn’t even cared who might overhear.
He shook his head. “The only person here who didn’t suspect I was a disloyal was Sasha, and since he showed up to help and said nothing about what Keir said before we left, I think it’s safe to say he suspects it.”
“The orphanage?” I asked, needing to hear him say it out loud.
“Is fine,” he nodded. “When I put out the bakery fire and fires along this street, it put out all the fires which could go near it. It never got touched.”
“Thank gods.” My relief was palpable. “Hattie and all the children are accounted for?”
Krew smiled. “Every single one.”
I was so thankful they were all okay. Words couldn’t express how glad I was.
Owen joined us. “The carriages should arrive shortly. With blankets and as much food as could discreetly be gathered as you requested, Your Grace.”
Krew gave Owen a nod.
Owen nudged my shoulder as he moved in closer. “You know for someone who thinks she’d make a lousy queen, you sure as hell did just take over command of the Nerede disloyals.”
I gave him a shrug as I turned to look again at the bakery. Every time I saw it out of my peripheral view, it made me feel nauseous. “I don’t wish to lead them, but if it keeps them safe, so be it.”
Krew turned to look with me. “I’m so sorry, love. It’s gone.”
I choked on a breath. “I know.”
