Page 110 of The Fae Queen's Revenge

Ber’s attention snapped fully to the captain. “What do you mean?”

“There’s no need to deny it.” Eledae smiled. “Prince Ber.”

“That quite the supposition,” Tes said, her fingers squeezing a warning against his leg. “Or are you required to question all men named Ber?”

With a chuckle, the captain ran his fingers through his pale hair. “You say that as though it’s a common name, but we both know it isn’t. You slipped, Princess. Though I suppose I should say ‘Your Majesty.’ Gods know I’ve no loyalty to your father at this point.”

Ber studied the other man’s face and found only relief, but it was difficult to trust. “You’re speaking nonsense,” he said.

“How could you come to such a ridiculous conclusion?” Tes asked, amusement dancing in her tone.

But Eledae didn’t waver. “I’ve trained for centuries at the palace and have long admired Prince Ber’s fighting form. I suspected his identity the moment he went for Mrenth, but whenyou called his name, it confirmed it. Naturally, I assumed any difference in appearance would be due to a glamour.”

Stifling a curse, Ber ground his teeth together. How could they have been caught so soon? Had he and Tes grown so out of practice with their disguises? They could continue to deny it, but they’d already slipped too much to be convincing. Yet admission bore its own risks. It would be difficult to escape capture in the middle of the king’s camp.

“I don’t know what to say, Captain,” Tes murmured. “Your words are bold and dangerous.”

Eledae leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table. “You’ll find that many of my rank share bold sentiments, and no few of us at all levels. What did the king expect when he failed to deliver the promised rewards of service?”

Tes’s hand twitched against his leg, and Ber wrapped his own hand around hers. He’d been working with her father long enough to know exactly what the captain meant. She hadn’t.

“How have you been failed?” she asked.

“Despite my rank, my last payment was two months late, and the house provided for my family needs constant work to remain habitable,” Eledae explained. “The lower ranks fare worse. However, it is not merely a matter of payment. It’s been almost ten years, but I still remember my brother’s despair when his village was destroyed for a castle King Ryenil still hasn’t stepped foot in. Though I would defend Centoi with my life, that doesn’t extend to a king who has abandoned us for his own desires.”

His wife’s pained whimper sliced through Ber, cutting free his words. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was forced to—”

“Sign the orders.” The captain shrugged. “Scribes talk, you know. Besides, you aren’t the only one to be forced into unpleasant deeds. I certainly have no wish to question refugees, but I’ve given my oath to obey.”

“Yet you interfered at the portal,” Tes said.

A slow smile crossed the man’s face. “We were told we could kill, not that we had to. There are some like Mrenth who dislike me for not taking the opportunity for brutality, but most agree. Such reactions make it easier to tell who is the most loyal to the king.”

“I can’t trust you,” she said, her words aligning with Ber’s thoughts on the matter. “But if you wish to prove that you mean what you say, you’ll help us leave here without a commotion.”

Eledae nodded. “Of course. Which direction will you go?”

Ber had to release Tes’s hand before he hurt her with his grip. One wrong move, and he would happily punch the captain. “You don’t need to know that.”

“I’m supposed to make note of every refugee’s claimed destination,” Eledae replied in a wry tone. “If I pick something at random and you go the opposite, that will hardly go unnoted.”

Once again, Ber bit back a curse. The man was right. Ryenil was a paranoid man—for good reason, considering his vast number of enemies—and no doubt had a loyal general overseeing the area. They could hardly make it known that they were meeting an army in the Wenalk Forest less than a day’s walk from here.

“Northeast, I believe,” Tes said abruptly. “That’s the easiest road to Einor City, and if we tire, we can rest in the forest for the night.”

“Very well.” Captain Eledae stood, then strode toward the entrance. He tilted his head toward the tent flap and gestured them silently forward. “I’m satisfied by the interview.”

As soon as Tes had risen beside him, Ber reclaimed her hand. If anyone else waited to tug her away from him, he would not be unprepared to hold her steady. But when the captain led them outside, no guards awaited them. Only a servant hovering a few paces away, a tray balanced in his hands.

“Go ahead and take the tea into my tent,” Eledae called before returning his attention to Tes. “I beg your forgiveness once again for your rough handling, and I hope you’ll have a satisfying reunion with your family.”

“Thank you,” Ber said.

“Now, your best route to Einor City from this village is the northeast road.” The captain waved toward the other end of the town. “There’s a trail that runs alongside it. If you’ve the coin to rent horses, it would be best.”

Tes inclined her head toward the captain, and a hint of color rushed into the man’s cheeks. But if he was appalled at being deferred to by his future queen, he didn’t say so. “I will always remember your kindness,” she said. “Surely, there are none more loyal and diligent than the Centoi army.”

Then Tes pulled Ber toward the village to the sound of the captain’s surprised thanks. Ber couldn’t guess whether the interaction would quell or arouse suspicions, but soon, it would no longer matter. Because soon, the rebellion would begin.

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