Page 64 of Their Queen

Chapter Forty Four: Baer

We woke before Rhowyn, each of us careful not to disturb her. She hadn’t been sleeping much, not since Callum had been captured, and we wanted her to get as much as she could. The next few days would be taxing for all of us, but even more so for her. She had so much weighing on her, and I wished I could help her more.

Granted, in an actual battle, I wasn’t much use. I had been practicing, but I was far from proficient in wielding a sword or any other weapon with only one hand, even after long hours and days of practicing and training the volunteers. However, I still had my magic, something that had seemed to be increasing since Rhowyn had unlocked hers. I didn’t know if it was because we were sharing through the bond or if being her mate somehow increased my own powers. Most likely, it was a mixture of both.

We set about our tasks, ensuring that the soldiers were all ready to be transported. Originally, we had planned to ride out on horses and on foot, but with the arrival of the Ravens, we adjusted our travel arrangements. With Revna and Ramund’s agreement, the Ravens would each transport four soldiers. I was terrible with math, but it would allow us to transport well over three hundred men.

However, we’d leave them all at a location in the distance, traveling to meet Titania with just Rhowyn and us consorts. We hoped we could make the trade without any need for them, but we had to be prepared just in case. None of us trusted Titania to play fair.

The soldiers lined up, each of them having volunteered for this mission knowing the full risks. They believed in Rhowyn and the future she represented. Seeing them all eager and ready now was humbling. To think I was her mate. I wasn’t blind, I had seen how the other fae males had watched her. Unable to blame them, I basked in the fact that she was all mine. Well, all ours.

As the sun started to rise, the light glinted off the armor of the soldiers lined up in rows, their weapons and gear highly polished though mismatched. We didn’t have the resources to put together a uniform army, but they all took pride in representing their new Queen.

Arryn walked up and down the rows, double-checking that each one had the tools they would need should this turn into a full-out assault like I suspected it would. He was good at this, at motivating and encouraging the best in his troops. His role with us was slightly different but still the same. He kept us all in line, all communicating and whole. Without him, we would be lost.

Lennox spoke with some of the courtiers who had chosen to throw their lot in with us. The light caught his dark hair, hints of blue peeking through as his hair moved in the slight breeze. He smiled and offered reassurances, groomed for this role his entire life.

Brannoc was speaking with the Ravens, his dark tattoos in stark contrast to their light blue ones. His dark eyes found mine, pulled by my perusal, giving me a nod as he continued giving them the details they would need for our plans.

I looked around, feeling at a loss and unsure what to do. Up until now, I had bounced around helping wherever I was needed, but there was nothing left for me to do. Movement from the gates drew my attention. Anyone who was needed in the Keep or the courtyard should already be here. Concerned, I approached the soldiers there to question them.

My feet stopped as soon as I caught sight of the couple that was now strolling through, looking around like they were lost. My heart soared at the sight of them. The man leaned over to whisper in the woman’s ear, and she gazed up at him lovingly before her eyes met mine. Both of us grinned broadly.

I rushed to the woman, her arms opening wide to receive me as I drew her into a hug, squeezing her slight frame as she laughed. “There’s my son.” She patted my cheek as I set her back on her feet, adoration shining from her eyes.

“Mom, Dad,” I said, nodding at them, shocked to find them here. They should have been safe on their estate, far from any of the strife and violence. “What brings you all the way out here?”

“Well, it seems you have a woman in your life, and I thought it was about time I met her. That, and we knew we needed to throw our support behind you,” my mother said, her dusty brown hair falling loose from the ties that were holding it in place, her brown eyes sparkling. I laughed, eager to introduce Rhowyn to my mother.

“We also figured we could bring supplies and troops to help bolster your forces,” my father said succinctly, his eyes smiling at me before moving over the soldiers that were lined up. “Though it seems we might have arrived too late.”

“Nonsense,” I told him. “We have a lot of refugees and people who can’t participate in the actual fighting. Our mission today would have left them with very little protection in case of retaliation, but with your soldiers, we can assign them to guard the Keep.”

Turning, my eyes searched for Arryn, who was standing and watching our interaction. I waved him over. “Arryn, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Arryn Oakley, another one of Rhowyn’s consorts.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Arryn greeted them, dipping his head in respect.

“And you as well,” my mother addressed him with a smile before taking my elbow. “Let’s leave these two to talk about troops and strategies while you take me to your Queen,” she said eagerly.

I laughed and turned to lead her into the Keep, but the doors swung open, and the girl in question stepped out. I inhaled a sharp breath, all other thoughts chased from my mind as I took in her appearance. Her green hair was left mostly down, but small braids were placed throughout, silver beads tipping the ends and weaved throughout her plaited hair.

Her eyes drifted over the crowd, everyone having turned to take in their Warrior Queen. She looked like a sexy badass in her armor. A silver chainmail was draped over a black shirt, a tan leather cuirass securing it and providing extra protection. Matching leather vambraces were on her forearms, the chainmail sleeved and leading up to silver pauldrons. Light leather pants fit her muscular thighs like a second skin while silver greaves covered her black boots. A small sword was strapped to her hip and small daggers lined her stomach, and sleeves for the blades were stitched into the cuirass, easy to reach when needed.

She was stunning, standing there ready to lead her troops into battle and to face Titania. A tug on my elbow reminded me that my mother was still here. “Is that her?” she asked.

I smiled proudly. “Indeed, it is. Let me introduce you,” I said, striding quickly toward my Queen. She smiled when she caught sight of me, her head tilting when she noticed the woman on my arm, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Baer,” she said when we had finally reached her, a question in her eyes.

“Killer.” I bit back the laugh that wanted to escape. She was jealous. “I wanted to introduce you to Lady Hawthorne.” Her eyebrow lifted in recognition. “My mother.”

Beaming, she smiled at my mom. “It’s nice to meet you, Lady Hawthorne. I’m Rhowyn.”

“Please, call me Druscilla, and everyone knows who you are, Your Majesty.” Rhowyn blushed while I basked in her discomfort.

“Please, if you insist I call you Druscilla, then call me Rhowyn. After all, we’re practically family now.”

“Well, Rhowyn. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman who managed to tame our Baer. It’ll be nice to see him settle down now,” she said. When my father joined her, leaning into his kiss her on the cheek, she continued. “This is my husband, Arthur, Baer’s father.”

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