Page 131 of Rook of Ruin
I do not like what I see in his eyes. “What is it you want from me, Callan? Why are you really here?” I don’t allow him to see the fear I have; my Ossian mask is tight against my face.
“I missed you. I tire of the court, the endless chatter without any meaning.” He raises his hand to touch my face, and I have to force myself not to flinch. He rushes out, “I want you to come back with me. I need your company. You are the only one who will speak the truth to me, treat me as a person and not as a thing. We are similar.” I begin to shake my head but think better of it, trying to play the game. “Our spouses plot behind our backs. Do you not see what Simon wants from you?”
“He wants my happiness.” It’s a lie. Right now, Simon wants an heir.
Callan sighs, disappointed. “He wants the crown.”
“He does not.” This I know.
“Alright, believe it if you wish. But my mother always knew.” I bite my tongue to keep myself from saying exactly what I think of the dead queen. Callan leans forward, his voice dropping. “I promise you, I will do everything to convince my father to aid Acros if you come back with me. Be with me.”
“Be with me.”Bile rises in my throat, but I force it back down. I am a plaything to him. Forcing my voice to sound light, I say, “I have duties here, but why don’t you stay a few days instead. You can help me and enjoy time away from court. You can write to your father in support of sending our warriors. Perhaps go with Simon to the border of Acros when he returns, show our warriors why you received your Warrior’s Name.”
Callan’s eyes search mine. “I will stay. Thank you for the invitation, Orlaith.” He clears his throat. “I apologize for my temper.”
I wave a dismissive hand like the Bethalian princes, and a sugary sweet smile comes across my lips. “Of course. Forgiven. We are family.” I make no apologies for slapping his face. “I will send someone to make you comfortable.” I smile all the way to the door and open it wide. “Dove? Would you have Taen show Grip tohis room?” I turn around and smile at Callan for using his stupid Warrior’s Name, and he smiles happily back.
“Yes, Ruin.” She nods to the four other warriors in my personal guard off to the side. Red, Bow, Crusher, and Boots would kill the future king for me. If only it were that simple. Dove looks past me. “I will also have someone clean up the spill.”
“Thank you, Dove.” I plaster the smile on my face again.
“Callan, I must go and change the menu for dinner, if you will excuse me.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about changing it. I will have what you and your boy are having.”
“I think it would be nice for just the two of us to eat this evening. I have a book that you might like to discuss.” I tap my fingers to my face. “I may have left it upstairs. Wait here, and Taen will escort you to your room.” I flash him a smile. “I’ll have the footman call on you after you have freshened up.”
Callan beams. “Thank you, Orlaith.”
I wave another dismissive hand and shut the library door behind myself. Dove walks back into the hallway and nods, letting me know she told Taen to take care of Callan.
My smile drops. “Boots, stay here.” I wave my hand to the rest. “To the study.” My warriors follow me to Simon’s study and quietly shut the door behind themselves. “Dove and Bow, grab a few others and show Callan’s men a good time. I don’t care how many cases of spice or whiskey we go through, I want them drunk. Dove, when you are finished, come back. You’ll be with me tonight. Red, take Milo into town and take six others with you. I have a townhouse—take them there.” I write down the address, show it to her, and she nods. I throw the paper into the fire. “Crusher, take Yarn with you to the castle and let Simon know that Callan is here, something tells me Callan purposely avoided Simon.”
I open the glass door to the gardens as they rush to fulfill my commands. In the low light, I begin cutting flowers with a knife, and when I am almost finished, I straighten to go to the other side of our garden.
But the knife is easily knocked out of my hand.
“What are you doing in the garden?” Callan grabs my shoulder, spinning me back.
“I’m gathering flowers.” I hold out the large bouquet to him in hopes he will believe my lie. I was going to cut the same poisonous plant I had Bow lace the queen’s port with. “I thought they would look nice.” Just past him, two large warriors, not mine, stand with crossbows.Please, please someone find me.I smile, trying to keep up the charade.
“They do.” He takes them and tosses them to the side.Asshole. That was a nice bouquet. “Very thoughtful of you. Are you ready for dinner?”
“I still need to—”
“I sent Taen to take care of dinner. I’m surprised your warriors left you unattended in the open like this, but don’t worry, I will make sure to show them how disappointed I am.” His hand touches my cheek, and I force a smile.
I bring my arms around my back so he can’t see my hands shake. “I asked them to—”
Callan shakes his head. “No, their first priority is to protect you. You are special.”
I laugh it off, trying to come up with a plan. “We are both special.”
“Yes, we are.” Callan brings his hand to the small of my back, and I flinch, moving my hands back to my front.
“Shall we go check on dinner?” I motion for him to go first, but he pushes me forward. I smile at the warriors, who remain grim, and I commit their faces to my memory.
When I walk into the hall, Dove, Bow, Boots, and thirteen of my warriors are standing in the grand entrance, warriors in black holding crossbows pointed at them. I notice Red, Crusher, and Yarn as well as six others are absent. I swallow my relief that Milo is safe and Simon will be informed as I sidestep Callan to stand in front of my warriors, trying to shield them all with my body. “Why are my personal guards here?”
