Page 53 of The King has Fallen

Gall’s determined expression faltered, and my heart panged for him. He was still half-crouched with the weapon readied. He was trying to protect her from whatever it was these younglings thought they would do with her. But the Siren call offriendshipwas being weaponized against him.

And it wasn’t the first time.

I’d thought everyone had grown up enough, that we were beyond these games. But clearly I’d been wrong.

Fuck.

“She’s… She’s not mine. She belongs to Melek.”

“He won’t care,” the leader pointed out.

“Or know,” his friend added.

“I think he will,” Gall said, his forehead puckered.

Then, because Gall had turned towards her slightly, everyone moved, and I caught a clear gaze at Yilan’s face—her darting eyes and obvious terror.

And yet…

There was no one behind her. She had a clear escape, but she hadn’t run. She was leaning into Gall, moving with him even when he moved quickly. She appeared to be guarding his back. Her lips moved, though I couldn’t hear what she said.

Reassurance to my son?

Or manipulation?

Had she created this conflict to find opportunity to flee?

And yet, if that was the case, why hadn’t she run yet? They’d obviously been out here for some time—no one was feelinguncertain or self-conscious. In the distance I could hear the cheering and rollicking in the camp. So, these young ones had obviously decided they were safe to get up to mischief.

And in truth, this wasn’t a scenario that would be discouraged by most of their leaders. Something Gall and I had discussed many times—that my honor kept me from behaviors many others encouraged.

Gall was an idealist. A kind heart. Compassionate. But stillmale.

I couldn’t know how he would be swayed with time. I was grateful that he had remained strong so far. But I could see the uncertainty in his expression, and the thought of where this could have gone with a little more time left me nauseous.

I would stop it. The question was how to do so without drawing attention to Gall’s failure—or my protection of her.

“Look, Gall, brother, she’s awoman.You know why God made them, right?”

Shit.

Gall nodded. “Yes. God made them for our babies. Melek explained—”

The snorts and guffaws made me want to snarl.

“Right, right, so… did he tell youhowa girl gets a baby?”

Gall went still and he swallowed. “Yes. But…” he trailed off, frowning.

If the situation hadn’t been so dire I would have dropped my face into my hands and groaned. Gall was at a strange place in his life—his adult body driving him to things his developing mind didn’t understand. I had explained. More than once.

His interest swung wildly between embarrassment and fascination, depending on the day. It was, in part, why I’d warned Yilan against attempting to seduce him. I worried he’d misread it.

The leader who’d been keeping Gall’s attention stepped forward casually—just like a friend talking. But another of his friends had slipped around the back of the crowd and emerged at the furthest end in the opposite direction that Gall was now facing.

“So, let us show you, Gall. You need to become a man so you can be part of our club. And she can make you a man, Gall. You know that right?” their leader said slyly.

This had gone too far. I slipped off the branch and dropped lightly to the ground, creeping closer as my head spun, trying to find the way into this without casting suspicion—

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