Page 69 of The Queen and the Half-blood
As expected, Roth stood on the other side. The captain’s jaw tensed at the sight of him, his eyes narrowing when Alar held out his hand for the scroll.
“This is addressed to the High Queen,” Roth growled. “Not you.”
“And I’ll see she gets it.”
The captain hesitated, dislike simmering. Ever since his arrival at Duncrag, Alar had often caught the captain watching him. Like the chief-enforcer, he was protective of their High Queen. Almosttooprotective. Alar wondered if his feelings for Lara ran deeper than just loyalty.
“Give it to him, Roth,” Lara called.
Lips compressing, Roth shoved the scroll into Alar’s hand. He then turned, crossed the landing, and descended the narrow stairs. Alar watched him go before retreating inside the alcove.
Lara was waiting for him.
He handed the missive to her, and their hands accidentally brushed.
Warmth shivered up his arm. Dropping his hand to his side, he flexed his fingers and hoped she hadn’t noticed.
Fortunately, Lara was focused on the scroll. She broke the wax seal, which bore the sigil of the leaping stag. Indeed, this had come from the overking himself. She read the letter, her gaze narrowing as the moments drew out.
Alar didn’t interrupt her, although as he watched her eyes harden, it was clear the news wasn’t good. “Thebastards,” she eventually rasped. “I was wondering why Braewall and Baldeen hadn’t yet sent the warriors and weapons they promised. Now, I know why.”
Alar raised his eyebrows. “What is it?”
Her gaze snapped to his. “This letter is frombothmy overkings … signed by Artair and Niall. They’ve annexed themselves from me … and declared themselves separate kingdoms.”
Alar went still.
“The Gods damn them, this isallI need.” She held the parchment up to the light once more. He marked the slight tremble in her hands as she began to read it out to him. “In lightof our High Queen’s decision to wed the Half-blood, a notorious outlaw, the territories of Braewall and Baldeen cannot continue to be associated with Duncrag. Henceforth, the new Kingdom of Braewall will extend along the entire southern coast, extending up to Farnoch. The new kingdom of Baldeen will encompass Dorne Forest and stretch as far south as Dunharra Barrow, and as far east as Golval Barrow. Any attempt to cross our boundaries without invitation or to issue orders of any kind will be seen as an act of war.” She broke off then, her chest rising and falling sharply. “What answer do you have to that?”
Silence followed before he responded, “It’s high treason.”
Her mouth twisted. “Aye.” Lara hurled the missive onto the table next to her. “They’d never have dared do this to my father.”
Alar didn’t answer. She was right, of course. Nonetheless, it was just her anger talking. They both knew she didn’t want people to obey her out of fear, but respect.
But Alar wasn’t so decent.
For a wild instant, he hungered to teach both those fuckers a lesson. The urge to take his wulvers to Braewall, batter down its gates, and bring King Niall’s head back to Lara on a pike, crashed over him. He’d then make for Baldeen and give King Artair the same treatment. A heartbeat later though, he reined the impulse in. He’d do no such thing.
Instead, he stepped closer to his wife. “You will respond, of course?”
Her chin kicked up, and their gazes met. He’d deliberately challenged her, and he liked the way she stared back at him. He marked then how her pupils dilated. Their proximity affected her as much as it did him. Her shawl had fallen away, and her delicious body and high, firm breasts were clearly visible through the fine weave of her tunic. The garment only reached mid-thigh, revealing her slender, pale legs. Alar couldn’t help but stare at her—despite that he too was reeling from thesetidings—for she was regal, lovely. “This is a blow … as I was counting on their resources,” she replied huskily. “But my reckoning with Braewall and Baldeen will have to wait until I’ve dealt with the Shee.”
“You’re right … The Uplands must be taken back.”
“Aye.” A muscle flexed in her jaw then, and she clenched her hands at her sides. Behind her, the flames in the hearth guttered, and Alar’s breathing grew shallow.There it is again. However, Lara was too incensed to notice what she’d just done. “But rest assured, Iwillmake them pay.”
“Write back to your overkings this morning,” he answered, his tone sharpening. “Inform them that you refuse to acknowledge their annexation.” He moved closer still, inhaling the scent of lavender and sweet woman. “And then, once you’ve knocked the Raven Queen off her perch, turn your rage upon The Wolds.” Lara’s jaw flexed, and the fire in the hearth started to roar then, sparks flying. “Make those two wish they’d never crossed you.”
25: THE BEAST AND THE BROKEN ARROW
“HOW ARE THINGS with Alar?”
Lara stiffened before glancing Bree’s way. Her cheeks warmed. “Better than expected … considering everything that’s happened of late.”
The two women stood on the walls, watching as the light gradually faded. It was the eve of Gateway. Shortly, they’d have to retreat inside the broch, for it wouldn’t be safe out here.
It wasn’t just the Slew that emerged on this night. On Gateway, the veil between worlds grew thin. Many people swore they saw the ghosts of dead kin on this night, while others had to deal with the botach and other mischievous or malevolent spirits, who’d try to claw their way in through air vents or gaps around shutters and doorways. It was on this night that faerie creatures were also on the prowl, often helping themselves to the cakes and other sweet treats left out as offerings for the dead.
