Chapter 37

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

TAMAS

She lay in my arms as I watched her sleep. My beautiful queen. I traced a finger in the air above her brow, not wanting to disturb her. How had all the luck fallen to me? I honestly thought I would never have her, yet here she was, in my arms, having surrendered to me as I'd surrendered to her.

Talk was the last thing on my mind before she fell asleep. Not that sort of talk, at least, so I had yet to tell her all of my plans. By morning, when all was decided, she would be happy with what I had to tell her. Her Mother wanted her to be a queen, and that's exactly what I would give her. Once I was crowned king, she would be my queen. Queen to the Tannard throne, but of the Savant line.

The lethargy of our sex lingered in me still, but there were many tasks I had to complete before the sun rose, even though I loathed to leave her side. There were endless nights before us, endless mornings we could refuse to see because we were too tired, too sore, too consumed with each other. I longed for that time.

Which was not now. I eased my arm from under her head and slowly, ever so gently, moved myself away. It was imperative she stayed asleep. Too many breaths it took before I was off the bed and on my knees, feeling around for new clothes. Still buttoning up my jacket, I slipped outside as Bloodwyn.

After the princess's death, the king sent everyone to their tents, leaving his guard to enforce his command. The night was full of rowdy gossip from all the tents, as everyone discussed the surprising event. Their heated debates disguised my passing, making my job easy.

Two guards waited outside the king's tent. More guards patrolled the grounds, ensuring everyone continued to obey the king's orders, also likely on the lookout for anyone hoping to slip away into the night.

I straightened my jacket, then left the blanket of the two tents and strode across the clearing toward the king's guard. They reacted instantly, drawing their swords.

"Halt," commanded the man on the left.

"Inform the king Lord Bloodwyn seeks an audience. Tell him I have important news."

The dimwits glanced at each other.

"Hurry now. The king is waiting to hear what I have to say."

One of them ducked inside. I went to follow him through, but his companion blocked my path. A spark of annoyance speared through my gut on seeing the blade barring my way, but I would accomplish little if I got into an argument now.

I gritted my teeth and waited. In my periphery, I noticed two more guards approaching. Damn, the fewer people around, the better. When the guard ducked back through the flap, I pushed past him and headed inside, already knowing the king had granted me an audience.

Henricus slouched in his seat, half pulled away from the table. Andriet sat opposite him. Which was unfortunate because he was here and because I couldn't touch him. Tressya would never forgive me if I killed him. And I had long given up berating myself for all the ways I betrayed my trusted and my people for leaving Andriet alive. Yes, there would be those influential noblemen who would rally behind Andriet and refuse my claim to the throne. However, the king had seen to the death of some during the first few days of the trials and my force would see to the others. Some might survive, but I doubted enough to create a credible threat against me.

Then there was the Salmun. They were a problem I couldn't control. Between Andriet and me, I was gambling on them accepting my claim. Andriet was weak. I suspected the Salmun, along with the Levenian, would desire a stronger leader. Though, there was the problem of my inheritance. I was not of the Levenian line, with no oath to keep me faithful to their masters. I could only hope we would prevail, that the might of the Nazeen and the Razohan would match the Salmun's magic.

Thanks to their creations, I was now a nightmare, and my men would arrive from the Ashenlands a myriad of other malicious and deadly creatures now we knew what souls we could take.

"Your Majesty." I bowed, then shifted my attention to Andriet. "My condolences, Your Highness." Curses, that he was present. I needed to be smart. "I have news." I flicked my gaze across to Andriet.

A man who preferred the bed of other men, who'd known the princess less than a week, he looked heartsick. Giving one's heart away too easily was the fastest way to pain. I should know, for it's happened to me. I pitied him, knowing if Tressya had been the one to die, I would've turned into a nightmare and razed this encampment to the ground, killing everyone in my path.

"What news is this?"

"Your majesty," I glanced at Andriet. "The matter is private."

"This is about Cirro, isn't it? You're to tell me as well. I have as much right to hear what you have to say. She was my betrothed."

Good men never deserved to die, but life didn't work like that. If not for Tressya, I would kill the son as surely as I would kill the father. That she cared for him spared his life and made my task difficult. I had to remove him from this tent, but the little bastard had fallen for his betrothed in whatever way a man who loves men could do, which meant he grieved as sorely as any lover. I would find sympathy for him if he wasn't in my way. "I understand, Your Highness. Forgive me. What I have to say has nothing to do with tonight's unfortunate events."

I'd caught both unawares. By now, Andriet was on his feet, pacing back and forth behind the table, agitation bleeding from his every step.

"Juel first. Your councilmen conspiring. Now Cirro. There's no coincidence. It's a foul plot to undermine the throne. To bring the House of Tannard down."

His mind moved down the wrong path, though he was spot on with his assertion.

"Sit down, Andriet, your mood helps no one."

Andriet turned on his father, his face flushing red with anger. "Whatever you're doing to eradicate our enemies has failed. Who will be next? Me?" He stopped his pacing. "You?"

The king snorted. "I would like to see them try. The Salmun are on our side."

"They weren't on Juel's side," Andriet counted.

"They can't save a man from his own stupidity. As for plots to kill the Tannard line, the Salmun will never allow it. How do you suppose our ancestors have survived these last one thousand years and kept their might upon the throne?"

I averted my gazed for a moment to straighten my features and fight off my smirk. Though I was curious about one thing. Henricus was right in saying the House of Tannard owed their power to the Salmun alone, so where were they? Why were they conspicuously absent, given my lies of treasonous plots and Cirro's sudden death?

The time it took me to reach the king's tent, I'd devised several lies to gain an audience without raising the Salmun's suspicion. I had expected to find the king surrounded by the Levenian's pets, yet I found him with his son, who probably didn't even know the difference between the hilt of his sword and the tip of his blade. Still, I wasn't about to question my luck.

Andriet glared at his father, finding nothing he said matched Henricus's argument.

I strode forward, keeping my movements methodical, and picked up Andriet's goblet from the table and filled it from the carafe. "I can assure you, Your Highness, I will bring the culprit before you, minus his ears. And perhaps his tongue unless you have questions for him." I handed him his goblet. "Completing your third trial, and then this terrible shock, may I suggest you should rest, assured the king's guards patrol the borders of the encampment. The murderer will never escape, and I shall work tirelessly through the night hunting him, or them, down."

I needed to complete this task as quick as possible. The northerners would have cleared the Ashenlands by now and using the blanket of darkness to creep upon the encampment. I needed to hunt down Romelda before they attacked and take her back to my tent. She'd agreed to spare Tressya's life by placing her in a suspended sleep state. While she slept, I planned to take her far from here, leaving her somewhere safe. Miraculously, Romelda agreed to do the same for Andriet. The two would wake together once we won the war. I could only hope that was enough to prevent her from hating me.

"Them? You think there is more than one? Of course. There must be." Andriet took the goblet and paced again. "How many conspirators have returned from their third trial?" It wasn't really a question. And if it was, he didn't wait for an answer. "Arrest them first. Bring them before me. No. Throw them at the feet of the Salmun."

I inclined my head. "I shall do my utmost to defend the throne."

"Good." Andriet took deep gulps of his wine, not once glancing at me.

I ground my teeth, feeling the tension at the slow movement of time. My men awaited my signal, but unforeseen events may trigger their early attack. "There is nothing you can do at this moment," I told Andriet. "I ask you to trust your loyal servant to seek justice."

"All will be done," the king announced. "As Bloodwyn says. Rest, son. He and the Salmun will see we get our revenge."

Andriet took the last of his wine, then slammed his goblet down on the table. "You're right, father." He came around the table to me, stopping to place a hand on my shoulder. "Your part in this won't be forgotten."

It certainly wouldn't. Though, not for the reasons he supposed.

"When all of this is done, you'll be rewarded for your loyalty to the Tannard throne."

I intend to be .

I stared at the ground as Andriet strode from the tent, slumping my shoulders as if I was taking on Andriet's burden.

The king sighed and sat back in his seat. Concern aged his features. Lucky for me, he trusted the Salmun implicitly "A troublesome outcome. Indeed." He ran a hand across his brow. "My leniency is my flaw. Too many traitors made it through their trials. I had not thought them as resourceful or resilient. Perhaps I should've instructed the Salmun to kill them all on the first day. Better still, I should've taken their heads before we left Tolum."

I poured a goblet for myself and took a gulp. I had to say this for Tarragona; they produced an excellent wine.

"You couldn't have foreseen this." I took another drink.

How close I was to achieving success, it was strange I felt little. Divided focus was dangerous, and mine was on Tressya. Everything had to unfold as I planned, or she was at risk. Our one night together was enough for me; I was prepared to risk our success to ensure her safety, but I wasn't confident of how she felt, especially since I was about to betray her trust by deserting our bed to kill the king. I couldn't even contemplate how she would react in waking to find us the victors.

For a moment, I turned from the king and rubbed my hand through my stubble.

"It's good we have loyal men like yourself," the king continued.

She will hate me for this. Knowing that, I almost dumped my goblet back on the table and marched out of the tent. I should've told her I loved her. I should've voiced it.

"Now I have to find another bride. It took me long enough to negotiate the last two. I'll send Andriet back to Emberfell under the escort of the Salmun. He must be protected. Even if I have to confine him to his quarters. Until there is an heir, the Salmun will shadow that boy everywhere."

I inhaled, slowly seeping the breath out through my nose. I never thought I would feel like this toward anyone. Incessant thoughts, urgent cravings, insatiable hunger and above all a dwelling torment entombing my body at the thought of losing her.

"You're quiet, Bloodwyn. What did you come here to tell me?"

"We're close, Sire." Why had I not told her my thoughts before the storm began? As a disciple, she would fulfill her promise to her Mother Divine as queen upon my throne. I would surrender it all to her. That had to be enough.

"Make yourself clear?"

I returned my goblet and strolled toward him. "Dawn will see the final judgement. All traitors will perish."

One day, I hoped to unveil Tressya's eyes to the terrible secrets her maleficent Mother Divine festered within the Sistern.

"So soon. Then you know who they are?"

"I've known all along, Your Majesty. It's taken time for me to prepare."

"This is good news. Tell me who they are. I shall alert the Salmun. I'll have their heads."

Standing beside him, I looked down at him. "And so will I."

Long, thick, and sharp was my claw that stabbed through the side of his throat, piercing straight through to puncture out the other side. I swiped my hand forward, slicing my claw free, as well as the sinewy flesh attached, including his windpipe.

The king failed to make enough noise to alert the guards to his predicament. Instead, he gurgled on his blood as it spurted to his knees and onto the grass at his feet. I grabbed him under the arms as his body slumped forward in death and dragged him to the floor so that I may perform my work.

Both my hands upon his torso, I dove deep within, spearing inside with the speed of a diving bird, needing to rip out his soul as soon as I could. I'd lingered too long in his tent, playing the risk while my mind was, yet again, distracted with thoughts of Tressya.

His was a frustrating maze of confused and mixed pathways, but, once inside, I always found what I wanted in the end.

"Let the king know Lord Everhart wishes a word," came the high, demanding voice.

Curses on high. This was an unforeseen disturbance while I was on the verge of consuming his soul. I sensed I was close, though it remained out of reach.

I pulled my concentration back and darted a look behind me. The fabric of the tent was strides behind me. I glanced at the entrance flap. Dammit, I'd run out of time.

Abandoning the king, I darted to the back of the tent and slid underneath the fabric, rolled once, then sprang to my feet, and rushed away as the shout rang out behind me. They'd found the dead king. I bared my teeth in fury as I wove through the tents, at the same time loosening my hold on my human shield and taking on the form of an eagle. Two flaps and I took to the sky.

More shouts heralded the chaos about to unfold. Panic screamed through my head. This was not the outcome I planned. Dammit, I needed to find Romelda. She had a task to perform. I needed to steal Tressya away, make her safe before the violence began.

Too late, the encampment erupted into chaotic cries from the guards and those early arrivers to the king's tent. With my bird's sight, I caught the flare of torches and the scourer of magic as Salmun brought down the sun's own rays to flush out the murderer. Too late, the king's murderer had already passed the border guards from up high and made his way west to where the northerners waited.

I let out a squawk of anger for what had unfolded because of my stupidity. Had I killed him swift, rather than pacing around, enjoying the splendid wine and savoring my fallen victory, the supposed king would be issuing orders for the heads of many innocents right now, namely his best bows men and strongest fighters and any with an ounce of sense that would make a decent foe against the northerners. I had hoped to take as many from within before my men entered the camp.

She would wake finding my side of the bed cold. My wings faltered their beat, and I fell from my height thinking about the fear she would feel believing I'd already killed Andriet.

I hit the ground as a man and curled into a ball, racked with the pain she would feel with the slow and horrible yet undeniable realization that I had slipped from our bed to betray her while my seed lay warm inside of her.

I staggered to my feet, then found my pace and raced across the fields, aiming for the dark patch of trees ahead, until something hit me in the back and sent me sprawling onto my belly, my face smashing into the grass.

"Fleeing without your swords, you ass," came Osmud's voice out of the dark. In the moon's silhouette, he held out his hand to me.

Our hands clasped, he hauled me to my feet. "You've royally fucked our plans."

"What's done is done," I growled, turning around to look back at the encampment, shining like day. Tressya was caught in the mayhem.

"It's not a creep now. We'll have to storm with brute force."

"The Nazeen will give those to come across the fields a shield that will get them right to the edge of the Salmun's door."

"A plan we didn't need until now." And he smacked me across the head.

I took it without a word. I deserved more than that. "The Razohan are in position?"

"A pretty bunch we are awaiting your signal."

The rest of the northerners would attack across the fields, but the Razohan took to the false forest, using the power of light enhanced by the Nazeen to defend against the manifestations as they hunted for as many of the source as they could find. An arsenal of the Salmun's maligned creatures, torn straight from the bounds of the Ashenlands and sent to prey upon their masters, should distract the wizards from defending the encampment, allowing the Nazeen time to defeat their magic.

"Tressya's protected. And that ass of a prince," I reiterated again, as I had done many times already during our preparations.

"Hey, brother, according to your plans, Romelda was supposed to get her and the prince out by now, both sleeping peacefully like babies. You know how it goes in the thick of battle. It's not easy holding your claws from anyone's throat."

"She'll take your hand before you get a chance. Remember that. And I'll take your other hand if you dare."

"You're a grumpy bastard before a fight."

"Spread the word."

"It won't be a simple task in beast form, or do you propose I shadow the woman, admonishing any who threaten her?"

I dragged my hand through my hair. "Let's just get this over with. Leave her protection up to me."

"And who's going to watch your ass while you play nurse maid?"

I growled at Osmud. "Your responsibility is the prince. See to it he's safe."

"That nightmare's sucked your brains dry," he retorted.

Ignoring his remark, I gave my final warning. "I'm suspicious of how easy it was for me to kill the king."

"Easy! Easy would not have started that firestorm."

I huffed a frustrated sigh. "I was careless."

"Understatement."

"The Salmun should've reacted to Princess Cirro's death by shielding the king and his son."

"Wait. You killed the princess?"

"It wasn't my doing."

"Treason within his own ranks. I like it."

"Tressya's lady-in-waiting was responsible."

"Never thought I would offer thanks to one of those bitches for furthering our cause."

"Be wary. Okay. The Salmun aren't acting as they should. Warn the Nazeen."

He patted my shoulder. "By morning, it will all be over." Then he turned into a bird, spraying black feathers as he disappeared up into the sky, heading for the Ashenlands.

I spared one more look at the bedlam, then released my form, becoming a bird once more and headed toward the forest and northern forces.