Chapter 8

H awke offered Anyka his arm as they strolled through the gardens of Willow Hall. She liked touching him. The warmth and strength she felt in that arm was reassuring. Trog trailed them from a greater distance than usual, as Anyka had told him to do. She felt perfectly safe with Hawke at her side.

She'd enjoyed his company at dinner last night, breakfast this morning, then again at lunch. He was smart, savvy about things that mattered, and obviously capable of protecting her, should the need arise.

The possibility existed that he might be the perfect man. He would make an excellent consort. Just thinking about such a thing sent a shiver of pleasure through her.

"Are you cold, my lady?" He reached for his cloak before she could answer, draping it around her shoulders.

Behind them, Trog grunted.

Anyka ignored her bodyguard and accepted Hawke's generous offer, tugging the cape around her. "Thank you."

The river was just ahead. There were benches on both sides and, a little farther downstream, an arched footbridge that would take them to the Summerton side.

He nodded in that direction. "Shall we cross?"

"Yes. A little sun won't hurt."

"Whatever you desire."

They crossed the footbridge and approached a bench.

She frowned and pointed at a hole in the wood of the backrest. Things at Willow Hall were meticulously maintained, so this damage was instantly noticeable. "What is that?"

"Arrow hole, my lady. This is where Queen Sparrow was shot at."

Anyka's mouth fell open. "She was shot at? No one told me about this."

"I assumed you'd heard, or I would have mentioned it sooner. The morning of the incident in the library, she was sitting here with her bodyguard and someone took a shot at her. Her bodyguard saved her just in time. Or so I've been told."

Anyka looked around, no longer so interested in sitting on the bench. If someone could shoot at Sparrow, they could shoot at her. "Who did it? Were they caught?"

His brows lifted and little smirk crossed his face. "No one's been caught that I know of. Most think you were behind it."

"What?" She shook her head. "I assure you, I wasn't." She sniffed. "Although, if the archer had been successful, things would be different."

"Her son, Prince James, would have to take the throne." Hawke's eyes narrowed. "He isn't ready. Too young, no experience. He'd be much easier to overthrow."

She considered Hawke's comments. "I was younger than he is now when I took the throne."

"But you were born to the crown. You were raised to rule. He was raised in the mortal world. He is soft and unprepared. Nothing like you, your highness. Nothing at all."

She looked at Hawke and slowly smiled, because he was right. "You are a man after my own heart, Hawke."

He bowed. "My lady, your kind words touch me." He gestured at the bench. "Shall we sit?"

She hesitated. "I don't know. I'm no friend of Queen Sparrow's, but knowing she was so vulnerable in this spot gives me pause."

Hawke leaned in, chuckling softly. "My lady, you are in no danger whatsoever. I swear it to you on my life."

She eyed him. He was so sure of himself. "How do you know?"

His mouth quirked, his smile arrogant, eyes gleaming. "Because I know the archer who took that shot and he bears you no ill will."

She inhaled softly. "You know him?"

Hawke leaned in a little closer. "I am him."

She blinked in amazement. "You?"

He nodded, his smile disappearing. "I'd just heard about what she'd done. About her stealing Lady Cynzia's grimoire from you. I was incensed. I hoped to make a point. To show her that actions have consequences. And, if I'm honest, to impress you with my willingness to serve."

Anyka sat on the bench. This was a great deal of new information. She stared at the river and the dark water churning past, trying to weigh all she'd learned. "Sit."

He did as she commanded, his attention completely focused on her. "Are you displeased with me?"

"Not…displeased, no. But your actions could have changed the course of history."

"For the better. As I said, Prince James would be easy to overthrow."

She shook her head, deeply considering what he'd done. "I don't know. If it was discovered that you were behind the shooting, I would have been blamed. I might have been painted with the same brush as my parents."

"Your parents were great rulers."

"Yes, they were, but that's beside the point. You could have started a war. You may have yet."

He shook his head. "My intentions were pure, my lady. Forgive me for upsetting you." His eyes narrowed. "I imagined your ambitions differently. I see that now."

"No. My ambition remains to rule both kingdoms." She fixed her gaze on him. "But in my time and through a path of my own making. The action you took was bold and well-meaning, but I am still your queen, and it was done without my approval."

He nodded. "I understand. Can you forgive me? I confess I let my affection for you and my desire to impress you rule my thoughts. For that, I will not apologize, but I will strive to do better. I pledge that to you."

"Your affection for me?"

He smiled. "Is it not plain how I feel about you?"

"Why have you not requested an audience with me sooner?"

"I have several times. None was granted."

Whoever had kept Hawke from her would be dealt with. This man was a treasure. It was obvious he would do whatever she commanded. She laid her hand on his arm. "It won't be long before it is time for Minister Kilwin to step down. A minister who cannot attend the queen when called upon is worthless. You might do to take his place. I must give it some thought."

Hawke bowed his head. "My queen. I am truly honored and would gladly give my life in your service."

She held her hand out to him. He took it and kissed her knuckles. "Your allegiance is noted, Hawke. Tell me, in your opinion as Vice-Minister of Defense, could Malveaux win a war against Summerton?"

"Right now?"

"Yes. If we went to war today, would we win?"

He peered out toward the river before answering her. "I believe we could, but I don't know the power of the Radiant queen. It seems to me that most of the citizens follow her, but would they still do so in the face of war? That is an unknown. I would do my best to eliminate her before that happened. It would throw the kingdom into a state of chaos, make it vulnerable, especially with the prince on the throne."

"What else would you do to prepare for war?"

"May I speak truthfully?"

"Yes, please. Tell me what you honestly think without fear of reprisal."

A muscle in his jaw ticked. "It would help to have stronger magic on our side. Nazyr seems adequate, but at times… My apologies, but I find him too occupied with his own concerns."

Anyka could only nod. "I cannot disagree with you too much. However, he did create the amulet that enabled me to locate Lady Cynzia's grimoire."

"That's good to hear. I am glad he used his power wisely. But why didn't he use his power to protect the book?"

Anyka didn't want to answer that, because the answer was Nazyr hadn't known she'd had the book until it was too late. "The loss of that book lies with Queen Sparrow's bodyguard, the Grym traitor who serves as her Professor of Palace Security."

"Nightborne, I believe."

"Yes, that's right." Anyka slanted her eyes at Hawke. "He's unsycht ."

Hawke's mouth gaped, then he sneered. "Is he?"

"He must be. It's the only explanation for how the grimoire was stolen from me."

Hawke grimaced. "He is indeed a traitor to his people. He should be dealt with. Punished for his crimes."

Anyka nodded. "Yes, he should be."

Hawke's hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "You need only say the word, my lady. I would gladly—"

"Not yet. Not until I know what the tracker finds."

"Tracker, my lady?"

"I hired a tracker to locate and retrieve Lady Cynzia from the hill people. I believe she's still alive and sought refuge with them after she escaped Tenebrae. I plan to give her full immunity in exchange for her pledge of allegiance to the crown."

Hawke's eyes gleamed. "With Lady Cynzia on our side, there is no question of victory against Summerton. What can I do to help?"

"Until the tracker returns, there is nothing any of us can do but wait." Anyka wanted to have faith in Greybone, but she had not given him an easy task.

He exhaled. "Patience is hard. I am a man who dislikes idleness."

She looked at him and smiled. They were so alike. "There is something you might be able to do for me."

He straightened. "Anything. Say the word."

"It concerns Nazyr."

Hawke's gaze turned serious, and he nodded. "Go on."

"I believe he's hiding something from me. Perhaps it's insignificant, but all the same, I'm bothered by even the smallest of lies. You've spent some time with him at meals, but you must befriend him. See if you can ferret out the truth. I want to know what he's hiding. Do you think you can do that?"

One corner of Hawke's mouth lifted, his smile as mischievous as a child's. "I will find a way."

"You're not to hurt him or threaten him or let him know what you're doing in any way. His magic is the best we have until Lady Cynzia is found. Until that happens, I need him."

"I understand. I will persuade him that we are brothers-in-arms, and such friends have no secrets. I can be very charming when need be."

Anyka laughed. "I am aware." A fish jumped in the stream, making her think about Galwyn. Tonight, after dinner, she would invite Hawke back to the royal apartment and introduce him to her pet. Galwyn was a great judge of character. Until his nod of approval, Anyka would pursue nothing more than friendship with Hawke. As much as a queen could befriend a subject.

"Will you permit me to dine at the royal table again this evening?"

"You will dine at my table for every meal until I say otherwise. As will Nazyr."

"I am your loyal servant, my lady." His eyes held a myriad of emotions, not least among them desire.

She lifted her chin. "As you should be."