Page 50 of The King has Fallen

On foot, even fresh, it would have taken us half a day from the camp just to reach the front. But on the backs of these creatures, we’d made it all the way there, spent three hours meeting with the Captains andinspiring the ranks, and now were almost back to camp in eight hours.

If not for the fact that Gault had suddenly insisted that Jann accompany me when he’d brought a message for the Scouts aswe were leaving, I might have found the day a pleasant break from the usual grind of war planning andFetch management.

But I’d been relying on Jann to keep Gall focused… and even as I reassured myself that Gallwouldn’tmake a mistake and free her, the woman’s words about the King having the power and motive to send the Shade wouldn’t stop echoing in my head. All day, from the moment I swung into the saddle and bowed to my King, my mind saw shadows around every corner, every expression, every decision of Gault’s.

Especially when we were at the front and he made such a point to keep me behind him.

I caught a dark look from Gault when the battalions cheered louder after seeing me appear in his wake. But they’d received his speech with great enthusiasm and cheered him highest and loudest at its end.

I hadn’t been able to meet alone with the Captains as I had hoped, however, because Gault had kept me at his side. Luckily, with Jann there, he could run messages and questions back and forth between us.

All in all, it had been a helluva day after very little sleep—and a threat on my life. I couldn’t wait to return to my tent, and my bed.

Even thoughts of Yilan’s cat-eyes on me seemed welcome—until I observed the thought and decided my exhaustion was muddling my mind.

The moon was high and almost full as it rose, casting everything into shades of silver and steel. The forest was approaching which meant we’d reach camp in minutes.

I caught Jann’s look from the side and nodded. “Go ahead,” I said. “Make certain he’s gone, just in case.” It wouldn’t be the first time Gault came to find my tent. “Tell Gall to keep his head down and stay in his bedroll, even if the trumpets are blown.”

Jann nodded once, then dug his heels into his beast’s side—the entire entourage were riding Khalrion geldings at the King’s insistence. After all, we’d be too slow if they had to stay on foot.

Half an hour later, my focus was on keeping Baelor calm as Gault brought his stallion closer so we could enter the camp together.

Gault smiled and handled his stallion easily, enjoying the flash of his spirited animal against the relative calm of mine.

The ranks had clearly been prepared for our arrival, because they lined the edges of the track we called a road that led into and out of the camp.

Gault raised his chin to them, receiving their adulation with a smug smile and a patronizing wave.

He did cut an impressive figure—the largest of the Nephilim astride the largest Khalrion stallion, and a cloak that made his shoulders even wider than his beast’s swirling in his wake. Even the dirt and dust of travel on his skin didn’t mar the image of a fierce, vital ruler.

And of course, the gold of the pure, angelic blood shining in his eyes.

Only those within two or three generations descent from the Fallen possessed them, and they glowed in the dark of night like tiny suns. An unnerving sight to the uninitiated.

Inspiringto those who knew those eyes were on their side.

With his chin high and body pulsing with vigor, the gold and precious jewels of his royal garb shining in the light of moon and campfire, I had to admit, if Gaultwasfeeling threatened by my sway with the ranks, he was playing it well.

Halfway through camp, riding in Gault’s wake, and trying to keep my waving and acknowledgement of the men as subdued as possible, I heard my name barked over the roar of the crowds and turned to find Jannus popping out of the line of Nephilim to march alongside my beast.

I frowned, looking down at him, my blood chilling when I caught the expression on his face.

“What is it?”

He glanced at Gault’s back ahead of me, then back to me. “It’s worse than we feared.”

I almost kicked Baelor to a gallop but forced myself to keep my head.

Jannus was grim, but calm.

Gault, obviously noticing Jann, turned in his saddle, looking a question at me over his shoulder.

“Just an issue with some of the guards,” I said as casually as I could. “Some of them are… celebrating too soon. You know how the young can be.”

Gault snorted. “I do.” He looked down his nose at the ranks lining the road.

“I can take care of it, but I’d rather you didn’t move too deep into the camp, Sire, until I can be sure it’s taken care of. I don’t want to risk a frenzy—I can’t afford to lose guards to their stupidity and your obviously superior strength.”

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