Page 105 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘Great,’ I ground out. ‘We’ll rest for an hour to give you a head start.’ Addressing my officer, I said, ‘Ensure Master Vilkor has the freshest mount and anything else he needs. Tell the captain to get ready, too. Then ensure the rest of our horses are sound and let me know when they’ve recovered enough to ride to Ostrava.’
The man saluted before walking away, leaving me alone with Roksana. When I came closer, she barely paid me any attention; her gaze still followed the assassin master.
‘If fate allows, you’ll see Tova tonight,’ I said, and she finally looked at me.
‘I know. Thank you for this, and for taking me even if I’m a burden.’ She sighed. ‘But do you really have to behave like such an arse towards Irsha?’
‘I don’t . . .’ I tried to deny it, but she was right. My pleasure at sending the assassin ahead melted away under her stare. ‘Come, Viper. You are not a burden, just tired. I won’t take you anywhere if you’re ready to faint,’ I answered, deflecting her question before leading her to the same tree trunk she’d been sitting on and wrapping my cloak around her.
‘I don’t need your cloak, and I can ride by myself,’ she protested with a deep yawn. ‘I don’t know why you both think I’m such a lady in distress in need of constant attention.’
Leaves crunched under my knee when I knelt, taking Roksana’s hand. ‘I would never think of you in that way, Sana. You are skilled, intelligent, and so, too bold for your own good, but you are not a warrior. Every single man here has spent years in the saddle, and even they’re tired.’ I gently tapped her nose, wrapping the cloak tighter around her. ‘You can’t be the best at everything, so don’t argue with your king. Let me be your knight in shining armour, at least for today.’
Her shoulders sagged slightly before mischief teased the corner of her mouth, and I prepared for the worst.
‘What if I prefer an orc chieftain with scars that prove his prowess?’ Her hand drifted to my cheek, fingers brushing the jagged flesh.
She bewitched me. The early winter sun slipped from behind the clouds and lit the golden flecks in her eyes, mesmerising me. I found myself falling into their hazel depths, the beast inside me revelling at her touch. The air shimmered around her, an invisible force reaching for me, its touch an intimate caress, a breeze on overheated skin.
Sana removed her hand, and I inhaled sharply, as if awakened from a dream. ‘Fine, then be my good little killer, and do as you’re told,’ I said with a soft chuckle that hid how deeply the moment had affected me.
I stood up, patting her head as I imagined one of the orcish brutes would do, until she swatted me away with a scoffing laugh.
‘My lady,’ someone behind me said, ‘Master Irsha requested sustenance for you.’
I spun around to see a squire holding a few travel cakes and a cup of water. The boy meant well, but he was too close, and I was so on edge that I wanted to shove the cakes down his throat and send him on his way with a kick in the rear.
I’m fucking jealous of the squire, now?I thought, listening to Sana thank him for the simple soldier’s fare.
‘That was thoughtful of him. Ask him to wait, please. I need a word before he sets off,’ I said to the boy calmly, unwilling to lose control over a child. ‘Once you do that, return and serve the lady.’
Roksana turned towards the forest, closing her eyes as she devoured the rations on her lap. She pulled my cloak up, and I watched in contentment as her face disappeared into the soft fur of the collar.
I promise you, my light, I’ll be the man to bring you joy,I thought before walking away to talk to Irsha. After procuring the necessary quill and parchment, I spotted him next to the horses and pretended not to see his eyes roll when I approached.
‘What else can I do for you, sire?’
‘Take this,’ I said, passing him a folded sheet. His eyebrow rose at my private seal on the document. ‘It’s an order that allows you to command my men. Tova . . . the last report wasn’t optimistic, so do what you can to soften the blow for her.’
Irsha’s back straightened, and his expression instantly grew serious. ‘How bad is it?’
‘Would I be speaking to you now without good reason? Do what’s necessary to spare her heart,’ I said, and he nodded, respecting my unspoken words.
‘If I knew you were doing this to protect her, I would have played into your hand,’ he muttered.
With a humourless laugh, I replied, ‘I’m not that noble, Blade. Remember that next time you decide to lift her skirt.’
He smirked, mounting his horse. ‘Oh, I will . . . and I won’t forget to invite you to watch either, Your Majesty,’ he said, kicking his horse forward before I could answer.
I watched him leave, more amused than annoyed by his arrogance, then walked over to my stallion. He was already grazing when I approached him with a handful of oats. Even after a strenuous ride, he looked fresh and greeted me with a friendly neigh when I patted his neck.
‘Behave and smooth your step, my friend. You’ll be carrying precious cargo,’ I whispered into his ear, and he nudged me with his muzzle.
An hour passed, and I ordered the men to saddle up. As we were getting ready to leave, Sana came to me, my cloak folded over her arm. ‘Thank you, I’m feeling much better,’ she said, passing me the cloak and turning to leave.
She hadn’t taken two steps before my arm encircled her waist, and I lifted her onto my horse. ‘No escaping the inevitable, Viper. You’re riding with me to Ostrava,’ I said, jumping up behind her and pulling her close. I winced as her body stiffened.
‘Reynard, this is ridiculous,’ she complained.
