“I didn’t sleep as long as I should have, but I actually don’t feel as tired as I thought I would. I feel somewhat renewed.”
He smiled at her. “Me too. You have given me a surge of new energy and hopefulness. I feel like a new man.”
He leaned over and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her naked form, caressing her. The passion ignited again, but he knew he must get her up and ready for Kevaan’s arrival. There would be plenty more nights of passion he could look forward to. He pulled back and touched her cheek. “We’re going to have a guest arriving today. I think you should probably get up and get some breakfast.”
She wrinkled up her nose. “More guests? The last two were disappointing to say the least.”
“Yes, I know. But I assure you, this one will be much more pleasant.”
“Who is it?” she asked trying to get him to reveal the secret. She leaned into him and rubbed her form against him. “Please tell me.”
He laughed. “Uh, uh. It’s a surprise. Come on, get up.” He reached over and flung the covers off of her completely. He took a moment to take in all of her, stamping it into his mind.
She humphed but crawled out of bed and walked passed him toward the bath. He watched her pass, the heat growing intense. It was new to him. There were lots of women that caused him to heat up with passion, but none so strongly. There was something about her, something that made it more difficult for him to control his inner fire. She was extraordinarily beautiful, with her golden red curls and emerald green eyes and the curves that any man could not resist, but his heart beat differently for her. He could no longer see anyone else in his arms, and giving his life to her in battle and otherwise, just felt right. He had spent his entire life as a player, strumming the heart strings of the women he pursued for nothing but sport. He was stunned at his sudden turnaround and the fact that his resolve was solid. There would never again be another; he knew that now completely.
She batted her eyes at him, and he laughed out loud. “Get moving, woman,” he said as she slinked into his wash room. “And wear something nice.”
“Okay, okay, stop nagging,” she answered playfully from the other side of the door.
He smiled again, then left her alone to wash and dress.
***
About an hour later, before Melenthia appeared in the hall, a page led Kevaan into the room. He bowed to his king. “His Highness, Kevaan Reese Breslin, Prince of Aaralyn.”
Kevaan entered the room, and Dain and Alek stood. The page bowed again and left the room. Alek went to his friend first and shook his hand, then placed it on his shoulder and squeezed.
“It’s good to see you, Kevaan.”
“And you as well my friend. However, I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Aye.” Alek turned to Dain and introduced his friend and liege. “Kevaan, this is King Dainard Llewelyn Grayson, High Ruler of Azlyn.”
“Please, no formalities. Things are going to get very complicated in our kingdom soon, and I need friends and allies. Call me Dain as my friends do.
Kevaan stuck out his hand for Dain to shake. “Then it’s Kevaan to you, Dain. You and I will be friends from this point on for what you have done in protecting my sister. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you agreed to keep her safe under your roof for so long. I will always be in your debt. I hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all, Your Highness. It was my pleasure, I assure you.”
Alekzand’r shot him a look of warning. Dain just smiled back at him.“Please, come sit. Tell us what’s happening.”
They adjourned to the table. Dain motioned to a servant to bring some wine and small refreshments. The servant hurried away and the three of them sat and got comfortable.
“I’m afraid that I come with bad news from the north. Fallon’s army grows larger and is making its way across the border. My spies have counted over a thousand.”
“A thousand? I didn’t think he could convince so many so fast.”
“The control he has on the fees that come in from the river passage are filling his coffers fast. And what he doesn’t obtain from wealth he obtains with fear. Giants don’t require much, and he has beings in his ranks that aren’t human and don’t require anything in the way of material wealth. Normally money would not be enough for the nobles to change loyalty, but fear and money together does. He’s buying his way across the north.”
“I, too, have news for you, but I’m afraid it’s too late in coming. I sent you a dispatch three weeks ago, but obviously you didn’t receive it, or you may not have come here. He has bribed the Port Authority in Seabrook into allowing ships of his choosing into the harbor, no questions asked. I believe he’s planning on running to Boones Ferry in order to get closer to you without coming across land. Coming in by boat will keep him hidden longer. From there he can move easily into the Triple Cities and then into Kingswell.”