Page 85 of The King is Dead
“Thank you, all of you. I feel much better now that I’ve seen Gall. And I’m so glad you’re both happy to watch over him.”
“I do things for them, too,” he growled quickly.
I raised my hands. “I know, Son. I can see that. And I’m even more proud of you now.”
Gall blinked, and his lips pulled up on the sides. Thank God, he still wanted my approval.
“Why don’t you two go back to the house. I’ll leave the way I came so I don’t disturb your evening anymore.”
It was growing dark. Here under the trees it would look like night soon.
Harris took my cue and urged them both back towards her, beckoning them, stepping aside so they could pass her, then looking at me as they disappeared down the trail.
“I’m truly sorry. I swear this never happens,” she sighed.
I shook my head, smiling to ease her. “It’s probably for the best. He needs some time to process. Just… don’t pull the tie out of his hair. It’s an important symbol and it will help him remember that I’m proud of him.”
Harris nodded. She glanced over her shoulder in the direction they’d gone, then back to me. “I’m glad you came. I can tell he’s already more relaxed.”
“I’m glad to hear that. He’s still not sure of me.”
“Give it time. I’ll encourage him to speak with you tomorrow when the time is right.”
“Thank you. And please reassure Istral that if she is important to Gall, she’s important to me as well, and she’ll always be safe with me.”
Harris’s smile broadened. “I’ll do that,” she said, then raised a hand. “You are well met, Melek. I hope we’ll be seeing more of you around here.”
I was surprised by how much the warm welcome touched me. I told her I hoped the same, then waited while they walked off until I was certain they were far enough down the trail that I could follow without drawing into sight.
I walked with such a strange mix of weight and relief.
Relief because Gall was speaking with me, and would do so again.
Weight because… these two precious hearts were so much more entwined than I’d imagined and I worried for how the world might react.
Howtheymight react.
But my thoughts were interrupted by the flash of a shadow off the trail before I reached that gate in the hedge. I raised my head and kept walking, making my strides purposeful as I passed through it, then on into the clearing beyond and towards the Palace, unsurprised when four male forms melted out of the trees to surround me.
They made no sound as they approached, keeping pace with me, but there was a stiffness to their steps that reeked of disapproval.
When we were well past the cottage and back under the trees, the lights of the Palace twinkling in and out as the wood around us thickened then grew sparse, I let my eyes rest on Turo, marching a few feet off to my left.
“He would never hurt her. He may hurt others, but if he cares for her, she will be as safe in his hands as kitten with its mother. He is fiercely defensive of those he cares about.”
“You’ll forgive me if I reserve judgment until hell freezes over,” Turo muttered in return.
I stopped walking and turned to face him. All three of the men drew up short when I did, and Turo’s hand went to his sword hilt.
I eyed it once so he knew I didn’t miss the detail, then met his angry gaze in the growing dark.
“I am not the villain you want me to be. If you don’t allow yourself even thepossibilitythat Yilan is not deceived about me, you’ll lose her regard with all this snarling, self-righteous bullshit.”
Turo leaned in, clearly furious. “Mysnarlinghas nothing to do with self-righteousness. I fear for my Queen, and I won’t fall for your manipulations.”
“I’m not manipulating her—or you.”
Turo’s eyes narrowed. “You have her convinced you understand why I feel sofiercely defensiveof her.”
