Page 99 of The King's Man
Even Jann seemed startled by that.
Yilan swallowed and continued. “I know how that looked and how it must have felt—”
“I don’t think you do.”
“Yes, Jann, I do. I know howIwould feel if you’d done the same. And I… I want to recognize that even though I wouldn’t change it. I should have… should have found a way to leave yousome reassurance or… or look, it doesn’t matter now because it’s done. I’m here because I don’t know when we’ll get to see you both face to face again after tonight, and I don’t want this hanging over all of us like a cloud. Jann, I amsorrythat I stole Melek away, and frightened you. I’m sorry I deceived you. Ilikeyou—and I thought you liked me too.”
“I did until you—”
He grunted when I elbowed him sharply.‘She’s a Queen, and she’s humbling herself. Don’t kick dirt in her face. I would have done the same for you—and I daresay you would have too, in her position.’
Jann’s jaw rolled and his lips twisted like he tasted something sour. But he nodded at Yilan. “I do like you, Yilan,” he said finally. “I’ve been worried and not thinking. You’re right. Diadre and I were talking about how it could be for the four of us when all of this is done and we’re at peace…”
“Family,” I offered with a smile.
Yilan’s brows rose. “That’s… that’s exactly what I hope, too,” she said softly. “But I also know that we have a long road to get there. And the last of my blood family is out there in the hands of… of men I don’t even want to think about,” she breathed. “Please, Jann… please don’t punish her for the ways I’ve hurt you. Please, give her every bit of the loyalty and care you’d give Gall—”
“I wouldn’t even consider otherwise,” he growled, and I felt the pinch of offense in his chest. Before he could launch at her with his words, I gripped his hand tightly and rubbed his arm to reassure him.
‘Don’t be offended. I know you won’t let either of them down.’I sent him quickly. Icould feel his single-mindedness. His purpose and desire to fulfill it.‘She’s so scared. She just needs reassurance,’
‘She assumes I’m selfish and petty,’he growled back, but his expression towards Yilan softened. “Be at peace, Yilan,” he said gruffly. “If nothing else, be certain that I know if Gall is alive, he would not rest until Istral is safe—and if he isn’t, it’s our duty as his brothers to avenge him. And protect his mate. I won’t stop until we’re certain both of them are safe, or dead—and their deaths avenged.”
Yilan’s throat bobbed and her eyes shone. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And… and I want you to be sure that… no matter what… we work for your safety as well. Youandyour mate, too,” she said hoarsely.
I’d thought Yilan was only offering him her gratitude. The general reassurance of a Ruler in thanks for his. But I felt the jolt in Jann, as if the words meant something much more. I looked at him quickly, but he stared at Yilan, and when I opened my mouth to ask, his voice rang in my head.
‘Hush. I’ll explain later.’
I frowned, but kept the words to myself.
What had I missed? What was going on?
*****
Two hours later, in the darkest part of the night, Jann and I crept out of his tent. Most of the Neph were bedded down, but the patrols, guards, and even some of the servants and messengers remained awake and working.
Jann had emphasized how crucial it was that we get out of the camp without anyone seeing us. So I would walk him in the shadows with me. It would take a lot of energy, and I’d been worried since we hadn’t yet slept, and it had been ahugeday. But I was surprised by how my body seemed… invigorated. When we had our bags and rations strapped to our backs, and our weapons sheathed, we turned to each other. I found I wasthrilled.I’d always fantasized about being alone on a missionwith my mate. I’d never thought it would actually happen. But here we were.
“Are you sure you have everything you need—your herbs? Anything else?”
I nodded quickly. I’d made the mistake of not taking enough herbs with me into the field in the past. I wouldn’t do it again. Not now. And I’d replenish any when we passed apothecaries in the cities. “I’m sure.”
Jann stared down at me and took a deep breath. “How do we do this?”
“You have to be touching me—the more of our bodies that touch, the better. And we need to move quickly. I have the strength to do this, but it will wear on me quickly.”
Thankfully, even the moon hid most of its light tonight. The shadows outside were deep and dark if we avoided the fires.
“How will we see if we’re—”
I grinned. “You’ll see and move fine. It’s others who won’t see you.”
The unease on his face made me want to laugh—such a cocky fighter. Just a kitten about magik.
He swallowed hard. “How do you stop yourself sinking into the earth?” he asked with the stifled fear of a child.
God, I wanted to tease him so badly.
