Page 30 of Of Blood and Fire
“He was planning to murder you before this attack happened, Garran, and my parents were aware of the possibility. I have no doubt Aric will make some sort of attempt while you remain in a fragile state of health.”
And no doubt claim it was an accident in the process.
“Fragile is overstating it a little,” Garran commented, “and Aric is no fool. He wouldn’t dare attack me now.”
I finished packing the wound with the antiseptic salve, then reached for a bandage. “We’re talking about a man who not only substituted a bastard son in place of his heir at our wedding, but who also intended to replace said bastard with the real son once you were dead.”
“Which makes no sense to me, even with the treaty changes. Did they think everyone in Esan is stupid enough not to notice the replacement?”
“Aside from the fact they’re near identical, the swap would have happened in Zephrine, and he would have used his tame mind reader to force me to acknowledge the real Damon as my husband. And remember, he’s already tried to mind force me to step down.”
“But you said you removed his tame witch?—”
“Yeah, but his personal guard has a strange energy, and we can’t discount the possibility he has another means of coercion.”
Garran scrubbed a hand across his eyes. “I’m known in Esan, Bryn. My arrival won’t remain a secret for long, if at all.”
“You only have to remain hidden long enough for me to get rid of Aric and the real Damon?—”
“There’s one major problem with that plan, and that’s the fact we will probably need all the military experience we can get. Aric is an arrogant sod, but he is also a very good commander with decades of experience behind him.”
“All of which is true, but you still need to trust my judgement on this.” I raised a hand to stop his reply. “At the very least, let’s not announce your survival until the military medics have had a chance to assess your state of health.”
He hesitated. “That might put you in even greater danger, especially if you are right about his personal guard.”
“I’ve multiple guards at my door, and magic protects me against any form of mind control. In fact, I’ll have something similar made for you the minute we get back, and I want you to wear it until this mess is over. Don’t even take it off to bathe.”
A smile tugged at his lips and he lightly saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Idiot.”
“Bossy britches.”
I chuckled softly. “That would beQueenbossy britches to you, at least until you officially take the throne.”
He grinned. “And we both know that stepping down from said throne will never, in any way, lessen your need to voice an opinion.”
“And as noted before, you would be wise to listen to said opinion. After all, I do have a drakkon to back me up.”
He laughed, though it quickly turned into a raking cough. Drinking more water helped, but concern remained a weight deep in my gut.
“You should eat,” I said. “I’ve some trail rations in my pack?—”
“It wouldn’t be right for me to be eating when there’s not enough for everyone.” He squinted up at me. “And don’t be saying ‘but you’re the king’ because we both know the current damn queen would be saying the exact same thing.”
I grinned. “An accusation I cannot deny, as much as I might wish to. Will you be all right up here while I head down to help Kele with the other injuries?”
“I’ll be perfectly fine. It’s nothing the medics can’t fix, and besides, as I’ve already said, we Jakarrans are a tough breed.”
Which didn’t ease the concern, but I let the matter drop. “Whistle if you see anything untoward coming at us from a distance.”
“Aye, Commander.”
I smiled. “You’d better get used to saying that, because while I may be stepping down from the throne, I amnotstepping down from my commander role.”
“Nor should you, given you are the queen of our drakkon army.”
“No,that’sKaia, and eight drakkons does not an army make.”
