Chapter 28

’Ware the wrathof the insecure.

~ “Foundations III” Scribe Menalow

When Vlerion returned to escort the now-dressed Kaylina to a carriage waiting in the main courtyard of ranger headquarters, two taybarri bounded out of the stable and into their path. Crenoch and a slightly smaller creature that Kaylina had seen before but didn’t know the name of. A female?

“She’s getting a ride in the gilded carriage that was sent for her,” Vlerion told the taybarri, guessing their intention before Kaylina did.

Crenoch swished his thick tail across the snowy cobblestones and whuffed. The other taybarri ambled up to Kaylina, resting a broad jaw on her shoulder.

“Sorry,” she said, giving her a pat, “but I didn’t bring any honey drops.”

The tail and ears drooped in disappointment.

“I’ll make some more as soon as people stop lighting our kitchen on fire,” she caught herself promising.

Both taybarri looked pointedly toward a building she hadn’t been in before.

“Our mess hall and kitchen,” Vlerion said dryly.

“Is it available for guests to cook in?”

“Rarely. Maybe the captain will make an exception.” Vlerion looked at the taybarri. “After her meeting with the queen and after we thwart the Virts’ plot.”

Crenoch opened his jaws and flicked his tongue against his teeth. The other taybarri did something similar.

“Do they not know the rules about respecting nobility?” Kaylina asked.

“They don’t feel human rules apply to their species. Sadly, there’s nothing in the treaty between our people and their elders about respect.” Vlerion lifted a hand to make a shooing motion and pointed past them to the carriage, but he paused and considered the taybarri thoughtfully. “Actually, it might not be a bad idea for you to show up at the royal castle riding one of them. I assume that’s what they’re offering.”

Crenoch sniffed Kaylina’s pockets, but the borrowed dress had never carried a honey drop. “I wouldn’t assume that.”

Vlerion snorted. “They’ll do whatever you wish.”

“Are any people besides rangers allowed to ride taybarri?” Kaylina patted the female wistfully.

She would love to ride a taybarri by herself, without hanging on to Vlerion. But was this the time? She wanted her meadto stand out and earn the attention of royalty. Not herself.

“Anyone the taybarri allow on their back can ride one,” Vlerion said as if he were stating the obvious.

Kaylina rolled her eyes. “Well, yes, I’d assume so, but don’t they usually let only rangers ride them?”

“Rangers and anrokk.” Without asking her or the taybarri, Vlerion boosted her onto the female’s back.

The dress made it awkward, and she ended up with it hiked to her thighs. Kaylina gripped the blue fur and watched the female, worried they’d misread the offer and that the taybarri would buck her off. But the female held her head high, swished her tail, and made a phhhtphhht noise with her tongue against her teeth as she looked at Crenoch.

Crenoch whuffed. In indignation?

“At least let Kaylina finish her training before you abandon me for her,” Vlerion told him. “Of course, you may have to tail wrestle with some of your buddies to figure out who gets to carry the honey lady into battle.”

The female swished her tail again.

“What’s her name?” Kaylina patted the strong, stout neck while Vlerion mounted Crenoch, then let her fingers twine into the thick luxurious fur as the taybarri started moving.

“Levitke.”

Their taybarri strode for the gate, walking side by side.

Kaylina’s only experiences riding them were on Crenoch with Vlerion, and she’d been distracted, at least the last time, by his body pressed against hers. Even so, she was fairly certain the male taybarri hadn’t had a sway to his gait. She looked back to find Levitke’s tail swishing back and forth. It had the effect of her hips swaying as she walked.

“Do all the female taybarri… sashay?” Kaylina asked.

Vlerion looked over at them. “I believe she’s proud to carry you.”

His gaze shifted to Kaylina’s bared legs and snagged. “The carriage might have been more practical in a dress.”

“I did not insist on this.”

He cleared his throat and looked forward.

Kaylina smiled, liking that he found her attractive, but her lips turned down when she remembered what his mother said, that the beast within him might be drawn to her because she was an anrokk. The thought saddened her, even if it made sense.

Ranger headquarters wasn’t far from the royal castle, and it was visible on its clifftop perch as soon as they exited the compound. Kaylina forced her mind to more practical matters. Like how she was going to keep her speech contrite and proper and stay out of trouble.

Why did the queen want to see her anyway? Since nothing had gone her way lately, Kaylina couldn’t imagine that good luck was about to befall her. Even if she’d been someone prone to optimism, Vlerion’s grimness when he’d come for her would have squelched it. He believed she was in danger. She made a note to shove her dress down as soon as she arrived in the castle, lest the queen think she was female competition who needed to be poisoned.

As they traveled along the road that switchbacked up the steep ascent to the royal castle, they had a view of the entire harbor, the city sprawling to the south, and the snowy mountains to the east. Unlike farther north, the towers and walls overlooking the harbor were in good condition and manned. She glimpsed blue-furred taybarri as well as men watching ships coming and going. From those walls, they could see ten miles or more up and down the strait.

“Targon stationed a lot of rangers with the Guard.” Vlerion was also looking at the towers. “I assume he’s not taking what the girl said as a certainty. It’s possible the Virts plan to attack during the speech. A lot of people will be in the area, listening to the king and preparing for holiday celebrations. Explosives could do a lot of damage—they could kill many. Indiscriminately.” His gaze shifted to the city, especially squares and streets with views of the cliff and the castle.

Since Kaylina had never heard the king speak, she didn’t know where he stood to address his people, but on a still day, his words might carry from one of the balconies down to the bottom of the cliff. Especially if he used something to amplify his voice.

Blue-furred taybarri padded through the city streets as well, the rangers keeping an eye on everything.

“There wouldn’t be any of them left in the stable for me to let out, even if I were so inclined,” Kaylina said.

“By tonight, there might be. Usually, there are only a dozen of us on duty then, though Targon will keep more out and ready in case that intelligence was accurate.”

“Do the catacombs run under the royal castle?”

“No. They end down there.” Vlerion pointed toward buildings a couple of blocks from the base of the cliff. “I doubt the king who chose the location for his domicile would have wanted it perched above ancient Kar’ruk sarcophagi.”

“I’m not that delighted that my new meadery is above them, but if the skeletons inside don’t bother me, I won’t bother them.”

“I wish the Virts had the same philosophy.”

Kaylina shivered at the idea of being caught in what might turn into a city-wide battle. She was glad her brother was in the infirmary in the ranger headquarters, but what if the compound was a target? The Virts might want the king dead, but the rangers were his loyal and deadly troops, a threat they could also want to deal with.

Vlerion and Kaylina rode onto the plateau outside the castle, the view even more spectacular from there. Two guards at a closed portcullis in a gatehouse watched them approach.

One man eyed Kaylina’s legs. On the ride up, she’d smoothed the dress over them the best she could, but the salty sea breeze had ruffled it upward again.

Vlerion scowled at the overly observant guard, then nudged Crenoch closer to Levitke. The two taybarri stopped as Vlerion brushed the hem of the dress downward, his touch sending a zing of pleasure up Kaylina’s leg. She had to resist the urge to shift it closer to him so he would have fuller access. The guards were watching.

“I should have insisted on the carriage,” Vlerion muttered.

Kaylina told herself not to be turned on as he attempted to defy the wind to arrange the dress to cover her legs. He might have been more effective if he weren’t simultaneously glaring at the guard. The man looked away under his withering stare.

Kaylina rested her palm on Vlerion’s hand to stop his fussing. She knew he didn’t mean it to be arousing, but her body came alive at his touch, and this wasn’t the place for that.

“Thank you for trying to protect me,” she said so he wouldn’t feel disgruntled that she’d stopped him. She had the greater dangers in mind, not the guard checking her out, and hoped he understood.

With his hand resting on her leg, its heat noticeable through the fabric of the dress, Vlerion met her eyes. “I wasn’t honest with you last night.”

“Oh?” Nervous anticipation filled her, and she caught herself leaning closer, longing for him to admit… Oh, she didn’t know. That he cared? That he felt something more than an attraction? That he didn’t find her irritating and exasperating?

“Not any woman in danger would have made me turn,” Vlerion said softly, the words for her alone. “You’ve… interested me since you were brave enough to stay the first night in the cursed castle. More than I should have allowed.”

“I’ve… liked your interest. More than I should have allowed.”

“I know.”

She snorted. “You’re arrogant and pompous.”

“You don’t mind.” Smiling slightly, Vlerion looked at her hand holding his to her leg.

Kaylina should have pushed him away, but she didn’t. If they’d been alone, she would have been tempted to guide his hand higher.

“Nothing can happen between us. It’s too dangerous.” His eyes grew intense as they captured hers. “But I will protect you.”

A shiver went through her, and she shook her head, about to tell him not to do anything that would get him in trouble, especially here, in the royal castle, but he released her leg with a final brush of her dress and rode resolutely toward the guards.

Kaylina nudged Levitke to follow him and hoped nothing would happen inside to cause him to need to protect her.

When they reached the gatehouse, one guard bowed politely to Vlerion and looked curiously at Kaylina. “What is your business, Lord Vlerion?”

“The queen has requested to see the mead maker Kaylina Korbian.”

“And this is she?”

“Yes.”

“She’s young.”

“There’s not an age requirement for getting into mead making,” Kaylina said.

“And forward,” the guard added.

“The lips of commoners are loose in the south,” Vlerion said.

“I suppose one can’t expect much from wilders annexed in recent centuries.”

Wilders? Kaylina had never heard the term and scowled. Did northerners think her people lived in caves and gnawed raw meat while grooming each other with fish-bone combs salvaged off the beach?

“One cannot,” Vlerion agreed mildly.

Kaylina shot him a dirty look.

The silent guard stepped into the gatehouse and withdrew a clipboard. “She is listed here. An appointment with the queen.” He looked at Kaylina. “Interesting.”

“I’ve found her to be so,” Vlerion said in the same mild tone.

Yes, he’d just admitted that, and she treasured her new knowledge of his feelings.

“There is no mention of you having an appointment today, Lord Vlerion,” the guard said.

“I’m accompanying her.”

“A mead maker rates a ranger companion? On a day when… We’ve been told enemies might strike tonight.”

“She does.” Vlerion’s tone was firm now, and he regarded the men through slitted eyes. “I trust the meeting won’t take long,” he added. “I’ll have plenty of time for my other duties.”

The guards exchanged looks.

“The queen would have added and ranger companion if she wanted to see both of them,” one murmured.

“Are you going to say no to him?” the other whispered back.

“The rangers are loyal to the king. He wouldn’t attack us. Whereas Sergeant Madrik might flog us for letting someone in without an appointment. Especially now when there are spies about.”

“Lord Vlerion isn’t a spy.”

“Are there no rangers on the grounds currently?” Vlerion asked, as if he hadn’t heard the rest of the conversation.

“No, my lord. As far as we’ve seen, they’re all patrolling the harbor and the city for threats.”

“Some should be within the royal castle. The king is a target.”

The guards straightened, their chins rising.

“The royal guard has extra men on the grounds today and is capable of handling riffraff trying to storm the castle.”

“Nonetheless…” Vlerion looked around again, including at the towers along the castle wall. “I’ll talk to Captain Targon after the meeting. Open the gate.”

His voice was firm, and the guard who’d objected that he wasn’t on the schedule was the first to move to obey. He gestured to whomever inside controlled the portcullis. Only after it started to rise did he look at his comrade with uncertainty.

“It’s fine,” the other guard said. “I’d rather have Lord Vlerion inside if something happens than not.”

Nothing about their demeanor or the looks they shared made Kaylina think they knew Vlerion’s secret. They were probably aware only of his fighting ability and based their comments on that.

“We’re capable of handling insurrectionists. It’s not like hordes of Kar’ruk are on the horizon.” Despite the words, the guard stepped back and waved for them to enter.

“You don’t need to stay with me,” Kaylina quietly told Vlerion as they rode through a courtyard twenty times the size of the one at Stillguard Inn. “Especially if you think something is afoot and need to talk to Targon.”

“It can wait.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be the reason…” She flexed her hand in the air, not sure how to finish the sentence. “I don’t want to cause trouble. Or delay you if there’s trouble.”

Vlerion regarded her as the taybarri padded across the courtyard toward a stable where horses were kept. “As I said, I will protect you.”

“All right.” Kaylina didn’t truly want him to leave her alone here.

“Besides, you don’t know where her quarters are.”

“Is there no directory? Primitive. So strange that the guard called me a wilder.”

“You’d prefer a sign in the courtyard pointing enemies toward key locations in the castle?”

“It could be removed during invasions.” Kaylina swung down from Levitke’s back and patted her. “Thank you for the ride. If I’m offered any sweets today, I’ll pilfer some for you.”

The taybarri swished her tail and blew hot breath over Kaylina’s face.

Kaylina pushed down the hem of her borrowed dress and smoothed the fabric. Maybe the steamy breath would help iron out the wrinkles from the ride.

They left their mounts near a hitching post, though the taybarri didn’t have reins and there wouldn’t have been a way to tie them even if Vlerion had been so inclined.

Kaylina followed him toward one of several open doors in the courtyard, some leading to gardens or stairs up to the walkways and others into the interior of the castle. They’d only taken a few steps before a woman in a gold-trimmed green dress appeared. Her eyes widened when she spotted Vlerion walking with Kaylina. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times.

“I’m getting the feeling nobody expected you to come,” Kaylina murmured.

“I’m getting the feeling it wasn’t desirable that I come,” he murmured back as he looked alertly around the grounds and up to the towers, barely acknowledging the woman.

“Lord Vlerion,” she said, ineffectively hiding her dismay. “It’s always a pleasure to receive you in the castle. Are you here to see the king? I hadn’t heard that he had any appointments this morning. He’s receiving his fortifications and rehearsing his speech.”

Fortifications? What did that mean?

“Medicine,” Vlerion murmured for Kaylina’s ear only. To the woman, he said, “I’m accompanying the mead maker. The rangers have an interest in her.”

“I—” The woman gave Kaylina a bewildered once over. “Why?”

“She has a way with the taybarri.”

“I… hadn’t heard that.”

“What have you heard?” Kaylina asked, still wondering why she’d been summoned.

“That you make mead. Come this way. I’ll take you to the queen.” The woman lifted a hand toward Vlerion, as if she wanted to ask him to wait with the horses and taybarri, but she lowered it and headed into the castle.

He looked pensively at the woman’s back as they followed her through halls with great arched ceilings and past open doorways to vast rooms, most painted with murals and trimmed by intricate moldings or friezes. Huge chandeliers dangled from gilded chains, and Kaylina’s feet were tempted to stray when she spotted a library with more books than she’d ever seen in one place.

Maybe she did veer in that direction, because Vlerion touched the small of her back to keep her following the woman.

“You could be wrong,” Kaylina whispered to him, “and your mother did share my mead with the queen, and now she wants to order some directly from me. And write about its wonders in her column for the Kingdom Crier. The Queen’s Corner.”

“The citizens in the south haven’t heard about the revolution brewing, but the Queen’s Corner makes it to your islands?” Vlerion asked.

“Yeah.”

“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. As I said, the crown controls which newspapers are distributed kingdom wide and what’s in them.”

“It’s important that we know which eating houses and playhouses the queen finds acceptable this season.” Kaylina said the words with a modicum of sarcasm, but she did enjoy reading that column, especially when it covered food and drink.

They ascended stairs wider than most rooms to a landing full of furnishings that appeared more decorative than functional. A hall led them to an office, guards stationed to either side of the open door. Within lay numerous desks, bookcases, and several sofas and divans arranged around two fireplaces.

A handsome black-haired woman of fifty-ish sat at one desk, her back to a ceiling-high window with a view of the harbor. Head down, she gripped a quill and wrote without looking up.

Was this the queen? Penning her next column?

Someone else sat in a nearby chair that was turned to look out the window. Only the top of his or her gray-haired head was visible, but the age of the first woman was in line with what Kaylina had heard about the queen. The king’s first wife had passed without providing an heir, and he’d married Petalira afterward, a woman thirty years his junior.

The guards trailed Kaylina and Vlerion in, though they watched him warily and gave him a wide berth.

“Kaylina Korbian, the mead maker, is here, Your Majesty,” their female guide reported with a curtsey. “And, ah, Lord Vlerion.”

Petalira looked up and smiled at him. “Ah, Lord Vlerion. I’ve no need of a report from the rangers, as I’ve been apprised of recent developments already this morning. Perhaps you could wait outside.” She looked at but did not smile at Kaylina.

Right away, Kaylina knew her dream was not to be. This woman was not a mead fan who wanted to put in a special order. For some reason, Kaylina was in trouble. Again.

“I will wait here, Your Majesty,” Vlerion said.

Petalira’s brows rose. It had been a suggestion, not an order, but, without a doubt, people rarely failed to heed the suggestions of royalty.

Kaylina shifted her weight, torn between wanting Vlerion to stay and not wanting to get him in trouble.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, waving for the door. If something did happen to her, he would be close.

He didn’t move.

“This is a private matter.” Petalira put down the quill and stood. “Between women.” She glanced at the person in the chair, then gazed at Kaylina.

“I will wait here,” Vlerion repeated, flicking a hand toward the sofas. To suggest they could speak privately over there while he stood by the door?

The room was large enough for that…

Petalira frowned at him and looked at the sword at his hip before turning the frown on the woman who’d guided them in. “Why is he armed?”

The woman blanched. “He’s a ranger.”

“So naturally it’s acceptable for him to come to my office bearing blades.”

“No, Your Majesty.” The woman curtsied deeply while keeping her head bowed.

Kaylina’s sling and knife were in the dress pockets too. Should there have been a search before they were allowed in?

“Perhaps he is an ally of hers in this matter,” the woman in the chair spoke, “and should be considered with suspicion.”

Kaylina gaped. She recognized that voice.

Jana rose from the chair and faced them while taking a step closer to the queen’s desk. When Kaylina met her eyes, Jana smiled in triumph, as if the victory she’d sought all along was finally hers.