Dark One Rising(112)
“Not until we have met with Sol and the elf. I want to make sure we have the alliance before I send you out yet again on another quest. Let’s deal with Melenthia and her escorts first.” He went back to the previous subject. “ I just don’t understand what she was thinking.”
“Obviously she wasn’t. She’s safe. She and Sol and the elf are on their way here. They sent a message by bird. They passed through the border about half an hour ago. I took the old mining trails to get here before them. I wanted to talk to you and make sure you were prepared.”
“I need to change out of these clothes.” He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. “I’m sweaty and tired and mad!”
“Go. I’ll send word when they arrive.”
Dain started to leave, then turned back to Alek. “I care about her deeply, Alek, but I need to know she’ll obey the rules. I won’t lose her to Fallon because she had a whim to ride. I can’t protect her if she can’t be trusted.”
“Tell her, Your Majesty. You have to make sure she understands that it’s only for her life.”
He knew Alek was right, but he didn’t feel any better about the situation. He turned back toward the Keep and went inside to change.
CHAPTER 26
When the horses thundered through the gate an hour later, Dain met them in the bailey just as they were dismounting. He grabbed the reins of Melentha’s horse and threw them to a stable boy, then grabbed her arm. She was not quite ready for his ire.
“What’s the matter with you? You left the castle unattended? What were you thinking?”
She glanced down at his hand, squeezing her arm, and scowled. She was tired and sore and that just made her rebellion stronger. He realized what he was doing and let go.
“I wanted to go for a ride. I needed some air.”
“You should’ve had someone with you.”
“I doubt they would’ve been able to keep up.”
“This is no time for jokes.”
She scowled more, arms now crossed over her chest defiantly, but he saw tears coming to her eyes. He calmed and sighed. He shifted her chin to the side so he could look at her swollen and bruised face. She winced at his touch. He also noticed the tunic she wore over her torn blouse.
“What in the hell happened?”
The sorcerer recalled events. “She was attacked by Fallon’s soldiers.”
Dain looked at him. “What! So, they’ve made their way this far East.”
“Apparently. They tracked her in town and went after her. She managed to fight off two of them, with only the few cuts and bruises you see, but then they were joined by three more. If we had not just happened to come by, she would’ve been taken.”
He seethed, looking back at her now. “I’m sworn to protect you, and I cannot if you’re not in my possession to do so.”
“I didn’t ask for your protection.”
“Yet I do so nonetheless.”
“I can protect myself.”
“Partially, with one or two. But five of Fallon’s armed guards would’ve turned out otherwise. If it had not been for the elf and the wizard, you’d be in the hands of Fallon now. Is that what you want?”
“No.”
“You and I had an accord. You promised you wouldn’t go past the gates without an escort.”
The wizard interrupted. “Your Majesty, I would be wrong if I didn’t point out that Fallon probably already knows she’s here, and we have to assume that if he doesn’t already, he will soon.”
“Yes, I know.”
Her insubordinence subsided and concern took its place. “If I have put you in danger, perhaps I should go.” She started to leave but he grabbed her arm again, not hard this time.
“You’ll stay right here where I can keep watch over you. From now on, you will not go past the front gates. Are we clear?”
She stared at him, and he could see the need to rebel in her eyes. He didn’t want to threaten her, but he felt for her life he had no choice. She didn’t answer right away so he said, “If you don’t answer, I will have to assume that we don’t have an understanding and that puts me in a terrible predicament. I gave you free reign of this castle for you to feel comfortable to do what you please, but if I can’t trust you, I’ll have to resort to unpleasant measures. Don’t force me to make you a prisoner, Melenthia.”
Her face conveyed a mix of emotions. She wanted to resist, to fight him, but something inside could not. She was quiet for a moment or two more, then, “We are clear, Your Majesty.” She was tired and sore and confused by her feelings.
She quickly curtsied, not in respect but in a final mocking gesture of defiance and left him standing in the bailey. He watched her walk away and felt heavy in his heart. He turned back to look at Alek. “Just when we were getting along so well.”