Page 46 of The King's Man
“I have to go back to the tent,” Diadre said as the kid darted back up the path. “I collected things for Yilan that she’ll want.”
I nodded and gestured for her to walk ahead of me, primarily so I could glare at any of the men who approached and make sure they didn’t follow her with their eyes.
When we reached the tent, Diadre rushed in and dug through her bag, drawing out something small enough to hide in her hands and tucking it into her jacket. Then she turned face me and my heart squeezed.
She was so pale, the shadows of sleep-deprivation under her eyes looked like black bruises. There were lines on her face and her eyes were dull.
But at least she found enough fire to glare at me.
“What?” she snapped.
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
She gave me a look that said she knew I lied, but she turned for the door.
She stomped through the camp, following my instructions on the shortest path, but every time a Neph appeared suddenly, or moved quickly, she flinched. It was so hard to watch, ithurt.
When we reached the King’s tent, whatever leash had held Diadre so tightly suddenly snapped. She rushed into the tent, ignoring the guards—I gestured to them to let her through. I hadn’t passed through that canvas flap yet when I heard the low wail inside.
I rushed in, ready to pull a spear, only to find Diadre and Yilan clinging to each other in the center of the tent, both crying, and hugging so tightly their hands were white.
I started towards them, but Melek caught me and pulled me aside. “Let them grieve,” he muttered. “They won’t be comforted until they’ve hugged and heard each other speak the certainty of catastrophe. Then their heads will clear and we can get something done,” he said.
I turned to my best friend, the man I called brother—and now King—and eyed him. “Doyouneed a hug?”
Melek, his face pale and lined as if he’d barely slept, glared before turning back to face the women. “We’re both devastated. I grow sick thinking about Gall, but reassure myself that if he was taken, at least I can be sure he died with honor. Yilan fears that her sister is very much alive and being violated. It’s… hard to watch.”
I nodded. “Diadre as well,” I said grimly, remembering laying alongside her last night while she shivered and tensed and whispered to herself, desperately trying to convince herself that she was safe when she thought I was asleep. “In a rather more personal way.”
Melek looked at me sharply. “What do you mean?”
As quickly and quietly as I could, I relayed to him the events of the day before. Melek cursed and growled and vowed vengeance. I raised my hands to soothe him.
“I already killed the one responsible, but please… be very careful. Watch over Yilan carefully while you’re here. Apparently at least some of the men still see no conflict between resisting the Fallen, but taking women who resist them.”
Melek nodded slowly then his eyes drifted back to the women. “How is she taking it?”
I frowned and clawed a hand through my hair. “She’s lost her nerve.”
Melek growled. He knew as well as I did how hard it could be to rebuild confidence once it was truly lost. “She’s still in shock. The true test will be when that passes. Don’t let her stay in that place of doubt.”
“My opportunities to assist are limited,” I muttered back. “She barely tolerates my presence as it is. You should have seen her face this morning when I tried to be nice.”
“Definenice?”Melek asked me suddenly.
I looked at him, confused, then realized he thought— “Notthatkind of nice. Dear God, Mel. She was almost raped yesterday!”
“There was a time you might have offered yourself for… comfort?”
Inwardly I flinched, but outwardly I scowled. “I wouldn’t do that with her, she’s—” I cut myself off, almost tying my tongue in knots to avoid the word that couldn’t be spoken.
I couldnotclaim the bond. For her sake. It was a death sentence.
“She’swhat?”Melek asked, a knowing smile growing on his face.
I shook my head. “She’s a Captain, and Yilan’s Advisor. She has to seeherselfas a leader until the men do as well. I couldn’t… Iwouldn’tundermine her.”
“Except to claim her, and let them believe you’re raping her?” Melek pointed out.
