Page 63 of A Warrior's Heart
“It’s beautiful.” Lorcan studied the jewelry, turning his wrist so that the sun shone off the gold.
Triton was the one who fancied expensive jewels and gems. Lorcan had rejected all luxury, not wanting to be like the father he loathed. Yet, as he stared at the bracelet on his wrist, I saw a gleam of genuine wonder in his eyes.
“We’ll take it,” James told the very flustered woman standing behind the cart. He tossed her a few coins before guiding Lorcan away.
When we reached the tavern, a guard stepped forward and opened the door for the king, who in turn held it open for Lorcan. I eyed him suspiciously.
What was his end game? Befriending Lorcan, gaining his trust, then betraying him later when it suited him? Another thought struck me, this one even more sickening than the last. What if James planned to seduce the prince into joining his side?
Lorcan hated his father. Turning him against Triton would be difficult, but not impossible.
No.I inwardly chided myself for thinking such a horrible thing. Lorcan might’ve hated King Triton, but he would never betray his people.
James smiled at the patrons and bid them good morning. The wicked gleam never left his eyes. Every word, every action, was calculated. Purposeful. He walked over to a table near the stage where a bard strummed a lute. Before he sat, one of the servants traveling with him stepped forward to wipe off his chair.
Lorcan sat across from him, and I rooted myself against the wall, making sure I was still close enough to hear what was spoken.
“Might I get the king somethin’ to drink?” a wench said after rushing over to their table, doing her best to curtsy.
“Oh, my dearest girl.” James eyed her, amused. “Whores shouldn’t play at being ladies. Fetch me and my companion your best ale and ensure we have our privacy. I’ll accept nothing less.”
And there it was. The façade had slipped, showing a hint of the dark soul that lived beneath the cunning smile.
Two of the king’s guards stayed outside the tavern and the other two stood beside me against the wall. One was older with a scraggly dark beard and a scar down his neck, while the other appeared around the same age as Nereus. He looked just as wide-eyed too.
“Tell me, little fish.” James leaned across the table, softly brushing his fingertips over the back of Lorcan’s hand. “Why are you here?”
“My father sent Malik to retrieve me,” Lorcan answered with no hesitation. He nodded to the serving girl who brought their ale before taking a small sip and regarding the king once more. “I was vacationing in the southern isles when he found me. We’re on our way back to Avalontis.”
To James, Lorcan could be telling the truth. He didn’t know that our home was in the opposite direction of where we were headed.
“Retrieve you for what purpose?”
“A royal ceremony,” Lorcan lied with ease. He even feigned annoyance and sighed. “Total waste of time if you ask me, but when duty calls, I must obey.”
“A ceremony? How… intriguing.” The king’s mug of ale remained untouched in front of him. “Is it for a wedding perhaps? Has your heart healed from the loss of your dear Alek?”
Lorcan’s expression hardened. When it came to Alek, he failed to compose his rage. “I would prefer for you not to speak of him.”
My stomach clenched. Would the king take offense at his attitude? The bearded guard at my side tightened the grip on the hilt of his sword. The king, however, took Lorcan’s words in an entirely different way.
“My poor, beautiful prince.” King James grabbed Lorcan’s hand. “His loss wounded you deeply. I see that so clearly. It is such a… pity… that he fell at Black Hallows. But surely you must know that a mage like him would have only brought you heartache. Pain.”
“I know,” Lorcan said, squeezing the king’s hand before pulling away. “The ceremony is to find me a suitable partner. I will have to endure hours of dancing and conversation with potential suitors.”
Lorcan’s ability to manipulate King James was a bit frightening. Impressive. But unsettling in the ease in which he did it. What he told Alek before we left the ship held true. Lorcandidknow how the king’s mind worked.
Watching them converse was like watching a game of chess, each opponent skillfully moving their players across the board.
“You know why I’m here now,” Lorcan said, shifting the conversation. I visualized a knight moving forward on the board. “What reason do you have for visiting Ritherdale? It’s a long way from your home in Talena.”
James smiled. “Since taking the throne, I have yet to visit all the areas in my kingdom. With the peace between our people, this was the perfect opportunity to do so. A good king knows the people in which he serves. He does everything in his power to ensure they are well taken care of.”
“In which he serves? Quite the statement.”
“What is a king without his subjects? I only wish for their happiness.” James traced the rim of his mug with a fingertip. “I do have one more question. If you are merely returning to Avalontis for a matchmaking ball as you say…” Topaz eyes lifted to Lorcan, and they seemed to darken as his gaze settled. “Why do you need a force of assassins and a pirate captain to accompany you?”
The sudden tension in the room weighed heavily. How did the king know about the Men of Shadow? They’d been careful to stay out of sight that morning at the dock. Had he been watching us? If so, for how long?
