Page 63 of Ties of Death

I curled my hands into fists to keep myself from going for my sword. “Greetings, Lord Becker. I am Daenn Henriken, King of the Allied Gryphon Clans.” We’d met before, when Emana had left the clan for her wedding, but I didn’t know if he remembered who I was specifically or if he just hated gryphon riders in general.

“I know who you are,” snarled Tolomon. “Why have you come?”

There would be no pleasantries, then. I shifted, straightened. “I’ve come to speak with Emana.”

“Lady Becker. She is my wife, and you will not speak as if you are familiar with her.”

I clenched my jaw. The years of memories I had gave me every right to familiarity with my childhood friend, but I lashed that line of thought back. The man was right. Emana was his wife, and I would do well to keep some distance between us. I was still desperately in love with her, but maybe I could keep that painful truth to myself better with the barrierof another man’s name between us. It was a futile hope, but I chose to ignore that whispered voice for the time being.

I inclined my head. “Lady Becker. My apologies. Is she in residence? It’s a matter of urgency.”

“No.” Tolomon’s word clipped over the end of my sentence, and behind me, I could sense how my men shifted. If Tolomon were a gryphon rider, they would be taking him to task for his insolent behavior toward me.

“No,” I repeated slowly. “She’s not in residence? When will she return?”

Tolomon stomped closer. “No, you may not see her. You aren’t getting anywhere near my wife.”

Cold anger slowly began rising in me at the possessive note Tolomon hinged on the term of address for Emana.

“Isn’t it for her to decide if she wants to see me?” I said, slowly. I could feel myself slipping into my warrior king mask, but Tolomon was too irate to notice—or less of a coward than I would have pegged him for.

“I decide. She’s mine.” Tolomon said the word with a sneer. “Mine to speak for, mine to bed.” His sneer deepened. “Sure, she’s a bit useless, given that she hasn’t managed to produce me any heirs yet. But that’s what bastards are for, and I have a few of those lying about.”

My senses sharpened as my rage eclipsed me. The longer he spoke, the harder it was not to kill this man. “Where is Emana?” My voice was a low growl, but it cut through Tolomon’s tirade.

His face turned purple that I would dare use her name again. But I didn’t care. He would do well to remember Emana’s ties to me, because suddenly my reason for coming was not the only reason I was here.

Even if she sent me away, I would not be leaving until I had seen her, until I could ascertain her well-being. I had never liked Tolomon, but in the last few minutes, he had made it clear how far beneath Emana he was, how little he truly deserved her.

“I will see her.” My voice was full of menace. I could see the moment Tolomon realized and fear slid into his gaze.

But the fear didn’t make him back down. He snarled wordlessly and drew his sword, diving at me. I didn’t even think. I pulled my sword and blocked in an instant, instincts and years of training guiding me.

I was death, and this man deserved to die.

My opponent drew back, and I moved in, relentless. He barely managed to parry my feint, but I spun out of it and swept my sword around and deep into his chest.

It was a faster death than he deserved. But he was a danger, and that was the only thought driving me. The body dropped at my feet, and I pulled my sword out, blinking away the battle haze that had come over me.

I looked down. I had killed a lord of Verksland. I grimaced; even though he had attacked first, that would be a headache.

A feminine cry came from the great doors. I snapped my head up. Emana stood there. Whole, healthy, if it weren’t for the look of pure shocked outrage on her face, and something inside me loosened at the sight of her after so long. But she was staring at me like I was a monster. I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes.

Of course she was. With the scene before her, I couldn’t blame her.

Fine. I would be the monster. I needed her, and there was no way she would come willingly after this. I could only hopethat once she’d had time to calm down, what she knew of me would allow her to listen, allow me to explain this.

I knew how futile a hope that probably was, but it didn’t matter at the moment. It was time for Emana to come home. She was the only one who could keep me from tearing my clan apart.

I opened my eyes and met her gaze. “You’re coming back to the clan.”

Fire sparked in her eyes, and her chin tilted up. I knew that look. I knew her every look and mannerism. They were branded into my heart, along with everything else about her, marking me, making me useless for any other woman.

I spoke again, forestalling her protest as my mind snapped through my options. After what I’d just done, I needed a way to keep her at my side. Maybe even something that would give me access to her magic even if she tried to run or leave. Maybe that would be enough to stop my magic and save my people, even if she hated me for it.

I hated myself for it, but that didn’t stop the words coming out of my mouth. “You’re coming home,” I said again, “and you’re marrying me before tomorrow’s nightfall.”

37

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