Page 98 of Burning Crowns

‘I expect you to do exactly as you like,’ said Willa, nonplussed. ‘But the longer you stay in these mountains, the greater chance you will have of fighting in that war when it comes to our shores.’ She smiled, tightly. ‘It is of course up to you, Your Majesty.’

‘Don’t be foolish,’ said Wren, lending her voice to Willa’s. ‘You’re not well.’

‘And what about you?’ he returned. ‘Are we not suffering from the same affliction?’

‘Anadawn is a much shorter journey,’ said Willa. ‘And Queen Wren is a witch. Though she is ill, she is stronger than you. Her magic still sustains her. For now.’

Wren didn’t like the sound of those two final words, but she couldn’t deny her own weakness either. She was exhausted, her appetite barely better than Alarik’s despite the gnawing hunger inside her. But she had no choice. With Rose away, Wren had to get home to Anadawn to defend the seat of their power before Oonagh came to snatch it from their grasp.

Alarik slumped in his chair, coming to the same realization. ‘So, I will stay. And you will go.’

‘I have to,’ said Wren, feeling a curious ripple of sadness at having to leave him.

He dragged a hand across his jaw, as if he was trying to scrub the frown from his face. ‘I know you do.’

‘Then it is decided,’ said Willa.

‘Not quite yet.’ Alarik looked to Tor and with unerring calmness said, ‘Captain Iversen, you are dismissed.’

Tor recoiled. ‘If this is about last night—’

‘Forget last night.’ Alarik waved a hand in dismissal. Despite his harsh words there was no bite in his voice. No anger on his face. There were greater matters at hand now, greater danger. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to find somewhere else to go. Someone else to guard.’ Alarik stroked his chin as though a rogue thought had only just occurred to him. ‘Perhaps you can accompany the queen on her journey back to Anadawn. She’s in need of a chaperone. And despite your deficient loyalty, you certainly seem capable of defendingher.’

Tor raised his brows, catching the king’s meaning. This was not quite a dismissal – rather it was permission to leave the king and the mountains, without guilt. And more than that, it was a move to protect Wren.

‘I know what you’re doing,’ she said.

Alarik smiled, blandly. ‘Am I so transparent?’

‘Yes,’ said Wren. ‘I think it’s my favourite thing about you.’

‘One of many, I’m sure.’

‘Too many to fathom, Alarik.’

‘Good luck with this one, Iversen,’ said Alarik, without taking his eyes off Wren. ‘I’m sure she will keep you on your toes.’

‘I welcome the challenge,’ said Tor.

Alarik gave a mirthless snort.

‘Elske will stay here as your guardian, while I will ride south with the queen,’ Tor went on.

‘Then it truly is settled,’ said the king. ‘Everyone wins. Except of course me.’

‘You will win,’ said Wren. ‘We all will.’

‘We will see,’ Alarik said, distantly.

‘Andyou get the wolf. I think we can agree she’s the best of all of us.’

‘Well, she’s certainly the least annoying.’ Alarik pushed his chair back and got to his feet. ‘I must send word to Anika while I still possess the strength to write.’

‘Alarik,’ said Tor, dispensing with his title and speaking to him now not as a king, but an old friend. ‘Before we leave, may I have a moment?’

‘Only if you promise to use your words and not your fists this time.’

Tor made a show of tucking his arms behind his back.

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