Page 174 of A Crown of Lies

She shrugged.

“Do you have a name picked out?” he asked to keep the conversation going.

“If it’s a boy, his name with be Tanis. And Talia if it’s a girl.”

“Good names,” he said with a bob of his head.

Isaac suddenly pulled their horse to a stop a short distance from the gates, shifting one hand around Eris and the other to grab his sword. The stench of death and rot was on the air, and of foul magic.

Eris covered her mouth and nose, making a gagging sound.

“Identify yourselves!” someone shouted.

Isaac lifted his eyes to the wall where several archers stood, bows drawn. They wore the dark armor of Crows, but he didn’t recognize any of them. The man that had spoken, however, wasn’t inside the walls, but standing out front in gleaming silver armor, his sword in his hand. There were dead piled up nearby, and someone was piling dry tinder around them.

Isaac’s hold on Eris loosened. “Sir Ben?”

The knight holding a hand over his eyes and squinting at them lowered his arm. “Sir Isaac? By the Divine, itisyou!”

“Stay here,” Isaac told her and went to trade grips with the other knight who hugged him.

“It’s good to see you! Please tell me that’s the queen with you. The news we’ve heard…” Ben shook his head.

“It is,” Isaac replied. “What’s happened here? Why are there so many dead outside Greymark’s walls?”

Sir Ben’s face turned grave, and he glanced up at Eris before quickly looking away. “I’m afraid a lot has happened since we spoke. You and your queen will need to be brought up to speed. But I’m sure you’ve had a long, miserable journey.” He bowed to her. “Your Grace, I’ll make sure someone readies a room for you and I’ll let King Sullivan know you’re here.”

“Is Katyr here?” Isaac tried to keep the desperate edge out of his voice.

Ben smiled. “He is, and he’s been busy. I’ll find him as soon as we get you two settled.” He turned and called up to the wall, “Open the gates!”

The massive wooden gates slowly groaned open, and Isaac guided the horse into a busy courtyard.

Isaac frantically searched faces, hoping to spot Kat, but there weren’t even that many Crows around. They’d sent twelve hundred Crows, and yet there were only a few dozen wandering around in their armor. The rest seemed to be locals, people he didn’t know. At least Greymark seemed to be taking the training of new soldiers seriously.

Isaac helped Eris down from the horse, and the next few moments were a numb blur. They walked through the unfamiliar courtyard and up a set of stone steps.

She immediately turned to Sir Ben as they made their way up a set of stone stairs and into a wide hallway. “Sir Ben, would you send word to King Sullivan to assemble his war council? I want to be briefed immediately.”

“Eris, you should rest,” Isaac advised. The last few days must’ve been hard for her, and in her condition, she needed to be careful.

She gave him a hard look. “I won’t be able to rest until I know the full extent of the situation.”

“Isaac?” Katyr’s voice rang down the hall.

They all turned and saw him push his way through several people. He stopped in place, a squirming bundle in his arms.

Isaac’s breath caught. Aleks. He still had him. Was that because he hadn’t found a family yet or because…

He and Kat stared at each other for a long moment as if they couldn’t believe they were really seeing each other after only a few days apart. Then Kat let out a small, choked sound and they rushed to meet each other halfway. Isaac threw his arms around his husband. Kat fisted the straps of Isaac’s armor, pulling him into a fierce kiss. His lips were warm and welcoming, just as Isaac remembered.

“I’ve missed you,” Isaac murmured into Kat’s hair as he held him.

“You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. When I heard what happened in Ostovan, I thought…” Kat shook his head.

“I’m okay. We made it out.”

Kat seemed to realize for the first time that they weren’t alone in the hall. He stepped back, blushing and bowed his head to Eris. “Your Grace. I…I’m glad to see you’re in one piece as well.”

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