Page 122 of The Crimson Walls Of Algorath

“Thank you.”

Margot froze, a frown creasing her aged face as she lifted her gaze. “Whatever for?”

“Being strong.” He gave her a small smile. “Even when you shouldn’t have had to.”

Her cloudy eyes shifted over him, and though he knew her vision was not as sharp as it had once been, he felt exposed beneath her scrutiny. When at last she spoke, it was with a strange lightness to her tone, “I would do it all again to be here with you.”

Two nights after the wedding, Emillie stood back as Rene ordered the servants through her suite, sorting through the meager items she had brought with her to the Nightingale Laeton manor. Some gowns would remain to be worn during visits to the capital, thus lessening future luggage, while most of her possessions from the Harlow Estate were sent ahead to the Waer Province.

Kyra stood beside her in one of her many green dresses, the perfect picture of a handmaid ready to do her bidding. If any of the other staff knew of their budding relationship, no one commented or made it their business. Clearly, Alek’s choice for those who worked for him was not the reason for the rumors around him. Everyone turned their heads the other way whenever anything of interest happened. Whoever had started the gossip had likely been let go long before.

When at last her small travel trunk was ready, Emillie and Kyra found Alek in the foyer, his expression unreadable. He slipped a folded piece of paper into his pocket before nodding to them both, opening the front door, and leading them out to the waiting carriage.

“Make haste,” he said to the coach driver in a low, serious tone. “We must leave Laeton immediately.”

Emillie’s brows twitched together as she climbed into the carriage, Kyra sliding in beside her like a dutiful maid. It was not until Alek closed the door behind him and he had settled into the seat across from them that she asked, “What has happened?”

The horses started forward, and they trundled down the long drive. No one spoke again for a long moment. Alek turned his hooded eyes to the night outside their window, mouth a taut line. Beside her, Kyra sat rigid, eyeing Alek warily.

“It is not safe in Central Province,” he said as the carriage picked up speed. “We will be fine when we reach Waer.”

Emillie did not miss the slightest hesitation on the word when as though he truly meant to say if. Something heavy settled in her gut. “What has happened?”

When he looked at her, she was not comforted by the flicker of uncertainty in his black eyes. He shifted in his seat. “I will tell you when we arrive home.”

“Alek…”

“I will keep you safe, Emillie.” He looked between her and Kyra, his jaw tightening. “I will keep you both safe. The less you know right now, the better.”

Emillie frowned. Knowledge had always been a power, not a weakness. Strength came from understanding one’s history and what was to come. “If something is happening, I deserve to know.”

Alek grimaced. “I do not feel comfortable speaking of this so close to the capital.”

“What could possibly happen?”

“Fuck.” Alek muttered more curses under his breath as streaks of crimson whipped past the windows, and the carriage slowed to a halt. Before the Nightingale personal guard—led by a Caersan with long blond hair that Emillie had seen many times but never officially met—could even dismount, Alek shoved the door open and growled, “Both of you stay inside.”

Alek slammed the door behind him, and Emillie turned to Kyra, her heart thundering. “Have you heard anything?”

Kyra shook her head. “A messenger arrived just after sunset. That’s all I know.”

Male voices shot back and forth outside the carriage. A rumble of disbelief, then another volley. The words grew louder, more insistent and angrier.

“Are you alright?” Emillie squeezed Kyra’s hand as she had done so many times with her sister. The Rusan had had trouble in the past with volatile men—one of the reasons she preferred the company of women. Though she had willingly taken men to bed as well, her affinity for any sex did not overshadow how much she enjoyed those more feminine.

Kyra gave her a tight smile and squeezed back. “They aren’t yelling at me, so…”

It did not comfort Emillie to know past partners had been so cruel to Kyra. Though she put on a brave face, Emillie could feel the tension dripping from her.

“Alek will keep us safe,” Emillie whispered, reaching between them and cupping Kyra’s face. “I trust him.”

Kyra nodded, the certainty not quite reaching her eyes. She had no reason to believe in the Lord Governor. All she knew was of the unsavory gossip and the questions Emillie had brought forth after finding him with Siobhan.

The carriage door opened without warning. Emillie jerked back from Kyra as Alek slid back in, his obsidian eyes burning like coals. He did not say anything for a long moment, then, “We are returning to Laeton.”

“Did something happen?” Emillie held onto Kyra’s hand once again when she was certain no one could see them through the windows.

“A lot has happened.” Alek glared at the crimson uniforms fading into the distance. “I need to speak with your father.”

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