Page 6 of War King's Treasure

“Indeed, it is,” Cris agreed.

“How long have you and your brother been with Gavin?” she asked. If he had to trail along with her, she could at least use him for information.

“We met when we were all sent to earn our keep under a brute of a lord here in the weak king’s lands. More than once, your husband stepped in to defend those too weak or injured to defend themselves.”

“You’ll not refer to my king as weak,” she charged, turning to face him. He gave her a confused look.

“I’ve just stated your king defended those who needed it most. He’s not weak.”

“I’m talking about my king not Gavin.”

Cris cleared his throat. “Your husband is your king now. As he is mine.”

She rolled her eyes and turned to walk away again, but his next words stopped her.

“Your grandfather, Phillip, is the weak king.”

“Don’t confuse kindness with weakness,” she corrected him.

Cris barked a laugh. “Phillip is many things to many people, but I can’t imagine any would use the term kind to describe him. Don’t confuse absence and neglect to be anything other than what it is, my queen.”

“And what is that?”

He opened his mouth, glanced over her shoulder, then pressed his lips together. She knew Gavin stood behind her before she felt the delicious heat of his body surround her. He didn’t stop until she felt the full length of his body along her back.

“Are you okay?” He nudged her until she faced him. She noted Con was with him.

Though the brothers were twins, and at first glance appeared identical, she noted Cris had a hint of honey in his brown eyes akin to the golden mead they drank, whereas Con’s were a richer, darker shade of brown. She was sure if she paid close attention, she’d find other tells to help her know who was who between them.

“We’re fine,” she answered Gavin. “Cris and I were having a private conversation while he escorted me below to the hall.”

“Cris can go check on the men,” Gavin ordered. “I’ll escort you.”

“I’d prefer Cris.”

Gavin glared. Cris stilled, and Con’s mouth twitched with a grin.

“You’ll be obedient, like a good little wife.”

“You wish,” she muttered and went to move around him. She’d barely gone two steps before he caught her arm and pulled her to his side.

“Keep that up, and I’ll take you back to the bedroom to spank some obedience into you,” he warned.

She inhaled sharply, cheeks burning as she glanced toward Cris and Con, who were thankfully already heading in the other direction and halfway down the hallway. Noting it was only her and Gavin, she jerked her arm from his touch.

“I’m not a child, and I won’t be threatened with a spanking.”

Her breath caught in her throat at the heat in his stare as he raked it over her before settling on her face. “I know you’re not a child. When I take you over my knee, you’ll be naked.” He leaned in, his breath tickling her ear. “Once I show you the pleasure to be found in the strike of my palm on your buttocks, you’ll beg me to spank you.”

“Never,” she whispered as a shudder went through her. Her nipples were hard points as she remembered the feel of his fingers and the way that touch had made her ache between her thighs.

“Is that a challenge?” he murmured.

“Stop it!” she ordered, jerking away from him again and heading with quick steps toward the stairs. “I won’t be intimidated by you, Gavin.”

He caught her arm at the top of the stairs, wrapped her hand around his elbow and held it there while he escorted her down to the main floor. She was relieved when they entered the main hall and there were others at the table breaking their fast. One of them yelled out as Gavin led her to join them.

“Eleanor!” the one she thought was Rory called out to her. Nori remembered her saying they were related. Cousins of some sort. She knew Gavin and his brother considered Rory their little sister even though they had no blood relationship.

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