Page 75 of The King is Dead
“Lane, Your Majesty,” he said with a quick, but elegant bow. “I am your servant.”
“Of course, you are, Lane. And I know this worries you a great deal—and yes, will worry GeneralArturo as well. Please go and inform him of the order, and that it came directly from me. I’m sure he’ll wish to speak to me about it,” I said through my teeth.
The leader didn’t hesitate. He bowed once more, then turned on his heel and marched down the hallway, the others in his wake. I couldn’t hear what he said, but it was clear that he was issuing orders, nodding and pointing in different directions. Sending two of themrunningdown cross halls—to locate Turo, no doubt—whilethe other two nodded once, then slowed to walk casually down the hallway.
Ah. They’d wait and follow Melek.
I sighed, but then I heard another, lighter set of quick footsteps, and looked beyond the soldiers to find Diadre sprinting down the long corridor towards me.
She ignored the salutes of the guards as she passed, though her lips moved, so no doubt she was offering some kind of reassurance to their leader, then she darted past and ran to meet me as I started down the hallway as well.
‘Holy shit, you really did it!’she said delightedly in my head while we were still a cross-hall away from each other.
I nodded.‘They’re hanging around to follow Melek, though.’
‘That just means they take their jobs seriously. Lane is solid. Don’t worry. He won’t defy you.’
When she reached me in the hall and bowed, I rolled my eyes. “I keep telling you, you don’t have to—”
“And I’ll remind you again that formalities establish order. And frankly, Yilan, you need as much order and calm around you as possible right now,” she muttered back, meeting my gaze with a pointed look when she lifted her head.
She’d been excited and teasing in the link, but she was, at heart, a soldier as well. And she understood how Melek’s release would be received.
Her expression was grim.
There was a moment of quiet, then she smiled softly. “How was your night?”
I couldn’t help but smile back. “Everything I needed it to be,” I murmured. “But you will hold that to the crown and those words willnotpass your lips in the company of… anyone else.”
“Of course,” she chuckled. “But I reserve the right to torment you endlessly when we’re alone.”
I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling again. “The Guards think I’ve lost my mind.”
“Most every man will,” she said without jest. “But you say he’s resolved to prove them wrong, so… let’s just make sure he has the chance to do it. I warned the patrols that there may be disruption, and to be certain they have orders from their superiors before taking any… irreversible actions.”
“Diadre!”
“You’d rather they called the archers, or brought a horde against him?”
“No, but—”
I broke off because the sound of hard-heeled boots ringing on the stones echoed down the hallway. We both turned to find Turo—out of uniform, but with a sword strapped to his hip—striding from the northern hallway two intersections down, eyeson fire.
“Here we go,” I muttered.
Diadre didn’t say anything. But she sank back to stand just behind my shoulder saluting as Turo approached, the shift leader following in his wake, along with two new guards.
“Your Majesty,” Turo said as he approached, sweeping into a formal bow, though with the men behind him, he let me see thefuryin his eyes. “Lane has reported that you removed my orders for—”
“The situation has changed,” I said briskly. “I have released General Handras in recognition of his willingness to work with us and advise me on political matters pertaining to the Nephilim.”
Turo blinked. “I was certain he had to have it wrong… you havefreedhim? Without any guard?”
I nodded. “Walk with me, Turo. And release your guards. They are no longer needed. Melek will not create problems.”
Turo’s head snapped back and it seemed he might stagger in shock. He was so taken aback, he forgot himself and addressed me informally.
“Yilan, surely you jest—”
