Page 120 of The King's Man
“They’re all the King’s, though he’s claimed one specifically and called her mate,” I said darkly.
Vaysh shook his head. “If it was anyone else, they wouldn’t have lived a day. As it stands… it’s beenlovelyto know you, Jann.”
I shrugged, but pinned him with my eyes—growling when he looked at Diadre again.
When Vaysh looked at me, one brow arched, I didn’t move, but kept my voice low and dark. “I defy the King for her, you think I won’t takeyou?”
He answered as if it were a casual conversation and I hadn’t threatened him. “The thing I don’t understand is why so many of our males have been consumed by these Fetch women. What is so special about them?”
I grinned and showed him my teeth. “Go find one for yourself and figure it out.”
Vaysh took one, casual glance over his shoulder then turned back to me and met my eyes. “Melek, Jannus—even the idiot has taken one. Those of us here want to knowwhy.”
Beside me, Diadre stopped breathing. I held his gaze and let my jaw clench to show him that I had not changed my stance on how Gall should be treated. “To whichidiotdo you refer—I’m assuming not the one sitting in front of me?” I growled.
“Oh, you haven’t heard?” Vaysh said, smiling like he was pleased to have caught me. “Melek isn’t only facing a challenge from you for the woman, he’s facing a challenge to thethronefrom Gall. Claiming his birthright.Thatidiot—it won’t work, of course. But he has his little Fetch Queen, as well. Like father, like son, I suppose. Or is it adopted father? Who knows. I don’t understand—”
I huffed, but my heart raced and my head spun with questions I couldn’t ask here. “Gall claims the throne?” I gave a throaty laugh. “The boy is no threat to Melek—nor would he set himself up as one. I’m surprised you fell for his tales. At worst, he’s making up stories to brag. He’s like a child—”
“Gall passed through with an entourage, fighters at his back, and… power,” Vaysh murmured, running his thumb through the condensation on his mug of ale. “I saw him level a man with my own eyes. He’s a fool, but a strong one. And some are already gathering to him.” Then he met my gaze, his own cold with warning. “A strong child may still be a threat by pure virtue of his unfounded confidence.”
I shook my head. “I don’t believe it.”
Vaysh shrugged. “Ask any man in here, they’ll all tell the same story. We watched it happen three days ago. Few with an interest in the Neph can speak of anything else. Why did he turn on Melek? Did Melekactuallytake the crown, or was that gossip? What’s going to happen when Gall makes it to Ebonreach? Or Melek? No one knows.”
I pretended indifference, but inside I was shrieking. Did he really not understand what was happening here? Had they really believed Gall was setting himself up as a cuckolding King? I would have laughed the rumor out of the Den, but Vaysh was reliable. And loyal to me, not Melek. The fact that he offered this so openly meant it was a well-known fact. Not a secret to be leveraged. He didn’t like what he was seeing. But I knew if he had to put his might behind one of us, it would be me. So he truly believed he was warning me?
“I find this… difficult to swallow,” I said darkly.
“A common problem I face,” he said with a suggestive smile. “But ask around. You’ll find out.”
I grunted, then leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. “And if I wanted to speak with more of our brothers, to… explore how the tides flow here in Noctharrow?”
Vaysh’s lips twitched towards a smile. “It could be arranged.”
“Is there a gathering?”
“More than one. The death of Gault sent some of our numbers into hiding, and others fleeing, hoping to be assumed lost in the tide of war. Others have followed Gall, as I mentioned. Our numbers are… scattered.”
I grimaced. It was always the case in any army, but it rankled when men had no spine and used political upheaval to benefit themselves.
Fucking cowards.
It meant that other than those we’d placed here earlier, the men gathered in Noctharrow were mostly mutinous, or weak.
Dammit.
“Tell our mutual friends I would speak with them tonight.”
“I’ll pass on the request.”
I pinned him with a glare. “It isnota request. You tell them if they want any hope of aligning with the true Crown, they will make theiraccount tonight, after moonrise. Our usual place—unless you’ve been using it in my absence?”
Vaysh shook his head. “Your orders have been obeyed.”
“Good. Then spread the word.”
“I’m happy to inform our brothers, but tell me… which Crown will they be attending? Melek’s? Gall’s? Or…?” He left the statement unspoken, and I didn’t reply.
