Page 166 of The King's Man
“News of Gault’s death only reached us a week before the runners arrived to announce Gall’s arrival. We had two days, and no one knew what to think. Those who’d heard the rumors around Gall weren’t impressed by him, but most knew him only as Melek’s son. It was clear when he arrived that he’d proven himself in battle, though. And the Court received him.” Karyd shrugged again. “Of course, by the next morning he had killed most of them. Whether that was simple strategy, or a way to cover for their disapproval, I don’t know. The whispers were… unclear. But now, no one questions. He’s shown strength afterstrength. If he’s a bit odd, well… it doesn’t seem to have affected his power.”
Jann nodded like he agreed, and remained relaxed in his posture, but internally I was screaming.
Gall? Strength after strength?
A bit odd?
The question blurted out before I could call it back. “What of his mate?”
Karyd looked at me with surprise. My teeth ground when he looked at Jann first to see if he should answer.
Jann shot me a warning look, but raised his chin for Karyd to respond. “I also wondered if she’d survived the trip,” he said darkly.
Karyd snorted. “She hasn’t had time to deliver a babe, so she’s still alive. I saw her when they paraded through the city streets on their arrival—she’s very beautiful. But I haven’t seen her since. Rumors are that she’s odd like Gall is odd, and he defends her fiercely from other males, but that’s no surprise. If she’s strong enough to breed, she’s his prize. I definitely need to visit these Fetch women. Perhaps there’s one for me as well.”
I felt sick knowing he wouldn’t be the only male thinking that way, but I was quickly relieved when Jann hacked a humorless laugh and warned him off.
“Trust me, catching them is more trouble than they’re worth. The Shadows of Shade are more impenetrable than the Raven Peaks. Set your sights lower, Karyd.”
The male frowned, but I breathed easier.
I was glad when Karyd sighed that he was going to sleep and Jann made no protest, but got to his feet and herded me back to the hammock.
‘Not a word out loud,’he muttered in my head.‘Let him believe you’re under my thumb.’
I nodded and turned for the hammock, standing aside to wait until Jann had stretched and changed his shirt, then crawled into the hammock, before beckoning me to join him.
Jann fell asleep immediately, that cloak of exhaustion covering him the moment he closed his eyes. It took me far longer, because every small movement or sigh from Karyd sent my heartbeat racing. But soon Karyd’s breathing evened out as well, and at some point, curled into the crook of Jann’s arm, I nodded off as well.
*****
The next morning I worried that Jann would fly before he was ready, but when Karyd commented, surprised that Jann wasn’t packing to leave, Jann casually mentioned we were waiting until afternoon.
“I like to make an entrance,” he added with a cocky smile.
Karyd chuckled. “Then you should wait until tonight. Gall’s offering a hunt—if you time it right, you can land in the middle of it and show them all how strong she really is.”
Jann snorted like it was a joke, but I felt the jolt of unease through him.
“A hunt? Tonight? Have I truly lost sense of the calendar?” Jann asked casually.
“No, it’s one of Gall’s changes. He wants to refine the female stock and says he’s giving the women a chance to free themselves—says he’ll offer it every month in his reign. But no one really believes that.”
“What are the whispers?”
Karyd looked at me, but obviously decided to answer anyway. “They’re saying he’s using them to determine who’s not truly loyal. That he’s set traps for any who look like they might actually escape.”
Escape?The hair on the back of my neck rose.
A wash of caution came through the bond from Jann, so I did my best not to react, but I desperately wanted to know what thishuntwas about.
“Seems like an efficient way to sort the wheat from the chaff,” Jann said with a casual shrug. “I’m sure the Court will enjoy it.”
Karyd laughed. “That’s exactly what Gall said. So youdohave his ear. We wondered.”
Jann frowned. “Others believed I’d turned from him?”
“Melek is a known challenger and you’ve always been his ally. Everyone was waiting to see which King you’d follow.”
