Page 89 of An Archer's Reckoning

“I’m just Declan, all right?” The boy gaped, his head finally rising. “Speak your news before my food is as cold as the cobbles of the courtyard.”

“Sorry, sir—I mean, Declan.” His lips almost curled at the use of my name. “Some fifty Rangers arrived not an hour ago. Said they rode from Fleet Town with all haste. Cap’n-Commander Albius has ’em billeted in the Army Compound.”

I freed the boy’s shoulder and sat back. “That’s good news, but fifty men won’t make much difference against a hoard. Why do you look like there’s more?”

His head bobbed. “Yessir—I mean, Declan, sir. There is, sir.”

“Spit it out, boy. My ale has gone warm while you stood there prattling,” Quin said, not unkindly.

The boy’s gaze darted from Quin to me. “Yessir. Sorry, sir. The Cap’n-Commander said to tell you to come quick. One o’ the Rangers wants to see you, sir.”

“Me? Why would a Fleet Town Ranger—”

“He’s got the reddest hair I ever seen, sir.”

I bolted out of my chair and wove through the tables of the dining hall so fast every Mage in the place stopped eating and stared. As I reached the doorway to the dining hall, I decided to give Traveling one more attempt. I wanted to see Ayden morethan anything. Ineededto see him. My heart soared at the idea of holding him.

And my magic flared with the brilliance of all the stars in a sailor’s sky.

In the space of a heartbeat, I left stunned Mages, their mouths agape, and appeared outside the principal officers’ building of the Army Compound. Soldiers across the yard stopped and stared. Guards posted on either side of the building’s wide door gripped their pikes with deadly intent.

Then Ayden stepped through the doorway.

“Dec—?”

The guards moved to protest but were far too slow. I bowled into him before he could say a word, knocking him backward into the building but holding him upright in my arms. Several soldiers standing just inside had to leap out of the way as we scrambled backward.

“Spirits, you’re all right,” I said, tears filling my eyes. “I thought . . . I tried to reach you. I couldn’t . . . gods, I thought you were—”

His lips silenced whatever babble was about to fall out of my mouth.

Those milling about the entrance turned away and scurried to their tasks, though a few watched with undisguised interest at the man kissing the famed Heir of Magic.

“When I learned about Grove’s Pass, I was sure—”

Now it was my turn to still his tongue. Well, I didn’t exactly still it, but his words no longer tumbled free.

Fingers tangled in my hair, then dug into my scalp. My hands clutched at the fabric of his cloak, pulling him as close as I could.

The deep, rumbling clearing of a throat brought both our heads around.

“Ranger Rea, I see you decided to welcome our reinforcements personally.” The barrel-chested Captain-Commander smirked from where he leaned against the far doorway.

“Oh, shit . . . I mean, sir.” Ayden practically shoved me back and snapped to attention. “Forgive me, sir. I never—”

Albius’s grin turned into a chuckle as his head shook. “Son, this is the first moment I’ve had to enjoy since this whole damn mess began. I should thank you for lifting my spirits even if your taste in men is somewhat suspect.”

“Sir!” I called in mock indignation.

The few others still in the foyer covered their mouths as laughter echoed off the wooden walls.

“You two, get the hell out of my building and do something private.” I had ten smart-ass remarks soaring off my tongue when a swift hand rose in the air. “I don’t need fucking details, literally. Nofuckingdetails.”

Spirits, had he just made a joke?

Ayden’s face paled.

The men around us doubled over.

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