Page 70 of Under the Lion Star

“We need to stop at the blacksmith.”

“Looking to arm your wife?” She teased.

“No,” I chuckled. “Although the thought is rather appealing. I promised Liras I’d bring him back a morning star.”

“Which is what?”

“A mace with spikes on the end.”

“Gods be good,” she breathed. “Why does such a thing exist?”

“Maces as a whole are rather difficult to use but effective. I think the morning star is more about the intimidating look as opposed to its effectiveness in battle. Either way, it will make Liras happy.”

Zialda took the time to speak with several inhabitants of Keldsfen, both elven and human. The blacksmith had been honored that I requested he make the weapon for Liras and offered a few other strange items I had never seen before. Liras would have loved all of them, but I wouldn’t have an endless backlog of potential birthday gifts if I gave him a human armory.

“Humans are a peculiar lot,” I gave my wife a small smile and led her back toward the ship.

“I rather like them,” she grinned up at me.

“Doran wanted to let me know that his daughter isn’t a virgin. I believe he also implied that she was stupid.”

“Gods above,” Zialda gasped quietly. “He said that of his daughter?”

“Yeah,” I sighed.

“I don’t like how he treats her,” Zialda worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “She seems scared of him.”

“I noticed that as well,” I scowled. “His idea to match Kira and Orin might be good for her. Get her out of Krannar.”

“Orin’s hardly in a headspace for marriage.”

“Not now, of course, a few years down the road.”

“I could see it,” she nodded.

“Let’s get out of here,” I ran my hand over my face. “I can’t stand to be in this town another moment.”

Zialda looked around and then frowned, turning to face me with her face full of confusion.

You have to tell her.

Instead, I said nothing and guided her back onto the ship.

Chapter 23

Zialda

Leor seemed tense throughout our meeting with the king, but I assumed it was because he was adamant about avoiding further conflict. However, as we exited Keldsfen toward the docks, his eyes scanned the town with a look of heartache.

Dinner was offered to us as soon as we boarded, but I grabbed Leor’s hand and led him to our cabin below deck. He fell onto the bed with a sigh, rubbing his eyes with his palms and letting out a ragged breath.

“You know who it was,” I said, putting my hands on my hips.

“Z,” he sighed.

“Leor,” I moved to sit next to him.

He sat up, resting his forearms over his knees and hanging his head low. His hair fell around his face, creating a silver curtain that hid his gaze from mine. With a deep breath, his ribs expanded before he let it out on a sharp exhale.

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