Kingdom Come (23 page)

“I…” He looked at her beaming face and shook his head.

She sighed. “You’re ridiculous.” She placed a gentle kiss on each cheek, before she whispered in his ear. “Don’t you know I love you?”

His vision became blurry. “Thank you.”

She ducked her head to look at his face. “For what?”

He had to clear his throat several times before he could speak. “For loving me back.”

“No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.”

-Julius Caesar

She sat at the window on the small, cushioned ledge and watched him sleep. The scrap she had worn as a skirt covered him below the waist, leaving his chest bare to the bright sunlight. She smiled to herself. His shirt was a little big on her, falling to her mid-thigh and slipping from one shoulder, but it smelled like him.

As she admired him, his eyes shot open. He looked toward the place she had been laying and sat up when he did not find her. She waved.

“I’m over here.”

He visibly sighed. “What are you doing,” he asked, voice rough from sleep. It sent a delicious shiver through her.

“Thinking.”

“Oh?” He rose onto his hands and knees and prowled toward her. “About what?”

She watched the play of light on his muscles as he moved closer. “You, mostly.”

He stopped in front of her and rose onto his knees. “Only good things, I hope.” He lightly trailed his fingertips over the smooth skin of her legs.

“Naturally.”

He gave her a wicked grin. “And in these good thoughts of yours, what am I doing?”

She stroked her chin thoughtfully. “I’m pretty sure you’re kissing me.”

Edric grasped her hips and she scooted forward to allow him access to her mouth. “I should do that, then.”

She giggled as he playfully nipped her earlobe before kissing her. When he pulled back they were both breathing hard.

“I expect King Gol will have news for us,” Edric said, while staring at her lips.

“We should get dressed.”

At the mention of clothes, Edric’s gaze fell on the scraps of cloth lying on the pillows. “I will find you something suitable.”

She grabbed him before he could stand and placed a chaste kiss to his lips. “Thanks, babe.”

The smile he gave her was full of surprised pleasure. “I like that.”

“Noted.” She rose to her feet and followed him over to the bed of pillows. “How long will it take to find Caern?”

Edric paused in fastening his boots and glanced at her. “Not long.” He finished with his boots and turned to look at her. “My shirt, my love?”

“But then I would have nothing on.”

His eyes wandered over her slowly and his lips quirked up. “I fail to see the problem.”

She snorted. “Here.” She pulled the shirt over her head and reached for the robe, feeling his eyes on her.

She took longer than necessary to wrap the fabric around herself. When she turned to face him, he had moved closer. He bypassed the shirt she held out to him and stepped into her space. His chest pressed to hers, one of his hands flat against her back to hold her in place.

“Are you teasing me, my love?”

She smiled at the growling tone. “Maybe. Is it working?”

His answer was to swoop down and press his lips to hers, until she was breathless. He pulled back and gave her a wicked grin.

“Your clothes will be here in a moment.”

She was still staring at him when he left the room. The soft thud of the door closing snapped her out of it and she glanced around. She had not taken in much of the room the night before, her mind focused on other things. She smiled to herself and wandered the perimeter of the space.

It was awfully grand for a guest room. The sumptuous fabrics, all in jewel tones, stood out brightly from the black stone walls. The space should have felt dark and forbidding, but the large windows lit the gold veins in the stone and made the room look like a treasure trove. She had just moved to stand next to the window when someone knocked.

“Come in,” she tossed over her shoulder, turning to face the opening door.

Nitya stepped inside, cloth draped over her arm. Desta followed behind her and closed the door firmly. Before Abby could open her mouth, the two women saw her. A look of relief filled the blonde’s face and she hurried toward her, Desta walking behind her at a more sedate pace.

“I am so pleased to see you well,” Nitya said, smiling brightly.

Abby nodded. “Thanks. It was touch and go there for a little bit, but I’m fine.”

The blond
e frowned. “I see no injuries, though I heard reports of bodily damage.”

“I’m fine, now.” Abby held her arms out from her sides to show the women she was in working order. “Better than fine.”

“How is this possible?” Nitya glanced at Desta, the other woman still staring at Abby intently.

“Perhaps, Gibil Abby would like to speak to her mate about this issue before others.” The dark-skinned woman raised one perfectly arched eyebrow and smiled slightly.

“How did you know…?” Abby trailed off when Desta gave her a small smile.

“You spent the night here. His Highness would bestow his affections on his mate only.” She turned to Nitya. “I will retrieve the rest.”

Abby watched her walk from the room, mouth still gaping open like a fish. “Did she just…? What?”

Nitya smiled. “Desta is very blunt.” She held up a thin shirt and pants. “You will
become accustomed to it.”

“Huh.” Abby glanced at the door again. “What did she mean about Edric?”

Nitya crossed her arms, looking toward the window as Abby pulled on the under garments. “It is the way of Ghadrikans. Whether weeks or decades, we will wait for the interest of our chosen.”

Abby blinked at the information. “Oh.” She had just tugged the shirt over her head when someone knocked.

Nitya glanced at her to make sure she was covered, before granting the person entrance. Desta swept into the room with an armful of metal plates. She gently laid her burden on the pillows in the center of the room and motioned for Abby to approach.

“Your armor,” she said, when Abby stood next to her. “Forged from the finest Ghadrikan guskin and kaspum.” She stepped back to let Abby examine the plates. “It is impenetrable.”

Abby glanced at the other woman, smiling at the clear pride in her voice. “It’s beautiful.”

Desta stood up straighter. “Thank you, Gibil Abby. It was an honor to create armor for you.”

Abby turned back to the armor to lightly run her fingertips over the gleaming surface. She paused at the cursive letters. ‘A’ and ‘E’. “Our initials.”

Desta nodded. “If you would prefer—”

“It’s perfect,” Abby interrupted. “Help me put it on?”

The other woman beamed. “Of course.” She gestured for Nitya to aid her and the two of them began to fit the armor into place.

“Gibil is a title, right?” Abby asked, as the women stepped back to admire their work.

It was Nitya who answered, still smiling. “It is a title for a Ghadrikan woman. Roughly translated, it is one who is fiery, spirited. A warrior.”

Abby grinned. Nice. “Am I all done?”

“Yes. I am sure His Highness is eager to see you,” Desta said. She walked over to the door and gesture for Abby to follow her. “They are in the throne room.”

“They?” Abby asked, as she fell into step with her, Nitya just behind them.

“His Highness Prince Edric, Her Highness Queen Loreet, and His Highness King Gol.”

Abby’s eyes widened at all of the titles. “Are they busy? They may be busy.”

Desta paused and turned her head to look at her. “Gibil Abby, they wait for you. They are not busy. Even if they were, you would not be a hindrance.” She stared at her until Abby nodded. “I will announce you.”

Abby stood stock still and watched Desta fling open the doors to the throne room and set her feet. She threw back her shoulders and loudly announced Abby’s presence. Abby could feel her face burning. If it was not for Nitya’s insistent nudging, she would not have been able to move from her spot.

She slowly stepped into the room and glanced around. The three royals turned to look at her and she blinked in surprise at their pleased expressions. She expected Edric’s smile, but Loreet and Gol looked equally happy to see her.

“Abby, I am so pleased to see you,” Loreet said, first to rise from her seat. She walked over to hook her elbow with Abby’s. “You will have to tell me of your adventure.”

Abby caught Edric’s sharp look from the corner of her eye. She glanced at him to see him scowling at his mother. “After she has rested.”

Loreet nodded. “Of course.”

There was something very odd going on. Abby looked at the three of them. “Did I miss something?”

Edric dropped his gaze at the same time Loreet’s smile widened. “I have something to tell you, Abby.”

She was going to forbid her from seeing Edric. “I’m not going to leave Edric.”

Loreet blinked in confusion. “I had not thought you would.”

“No matter what.” It was not an option. She could feel Edric’s gaze on her, but she did not look at him. “I won’t do it.”

“I would never ask you to leave my son. He is incomplete without you.”

Abby stared at her. “Oh.” She looked away. “I thought…”

“No. That never crossed my mind, but I would like to ask you something very important.”

Abby eyed her warily. “Okay.”

Loreet smiled. “Walk with me.” She turned away from the two men and gently tugged Abby along behind her.

When they were out of hearing range, Abby gave her an expectant look.

“What do you think of Ghadrik?”

Abby raised an eyebrow. “It’s beautiful. Why?”

The other woman pursed her lips and nodded. “And the palace?”

“Same. Your Majesty, ma’am, what is this about?”

Loreet let out a heavy sigh and paused. She turned to face the window and Abby stood next to her silently. The woman seemed to be having an internal debate, her brows furrowed as she glared at the stark landscape.

“My mate and I have spoken at great length about your relationship with our son.” Abby opened her mouth to comment and Loreet held up her hand to stop her. “Please just listen.”

“Okay.”

“I became queen at a young age. My mother held no great love for war and she was pleased to pass on the crown to her more warlike daughter.” Loreet sighed. “I have been queen for over one hundred years. I grow tired of the weight of my kingdom.”

Abby frowned. “What are you saying? Edric is going to be king soon?” She was not sure how she felt about that.

“No.” Loreet turned to face her, her eyes intense. “Ghadrik is a matriarchy.”

“Okay, but you don’t have any other children. Do you?”

The queen gave her a barely there smile. “Yes. I have a daughter.”

Abby’s eyebrows shot up. “You do? When do I meet her?” Edric had not said anything about a sibling.

Loreet’s smile widened and Abby got the feeling she was silently laughing. “It is you, Abby. You are my son’s mate.”

“Uh.” Words failed her. It could not be how it sounded. “I think I’m misunderstanding you. I thought you were saying I was supposed to be queen or something.” She forced a laugh. Loreet did not join her.

“I did.”

“Wait. What?”

Loreet opened her mouth to reply when the doors to the throne room banged open
. A small force, outfitted in midnight blue armor, surged into the room. The sound of fighting followed them. The one in the lead turned their head side to side, as if looking for someone in particular. They paused when they caught sight of her.

“Abigaia,” a female voice muttered.

The leader reached up to remove their helmet and Abby gaped. “Candace?”

The dark-skinned woman looked her over. She did not look away until a scuffle broke out on the other side of the room. Abby followed her gaze to where Edric was fighting with three armed figures. She took a moment to admire his movements, before she moved toward the woman who had been her roommate.

“What is this about, Candace?”

The woman glanced at her. “You will be coming with me. We will not harm Prince Edric if you concede.” Abby did not miss the way the woman sneered at Edric’s name.

She scanned the room. The queen was where she had left her, three weapons pointed at her. The king was pinned to the wall near his throne, another two weapons pointed at him. Edric was the only one who had managed to avoid capture. He ducked each time one of the armored figures shot at him, but she noticed the misses were getting closer.

“Fine.”

All movement in the room halted at her strong words. She saw Edric start toward her from the corner of her eye, but she did not look at him. She would not be able to leave him if she did. Candace motioned to the soldiers near Edric and they leveled their weapons at him.

“I said I would go!” Abby yelled frantically.

“He will attempt to follow,” Candace told her flatly. “He will need to be neutralized.”

“I don’t know what you want, but if any harm comes to him you will never get it. Do you hear me? Never!”

Candace paused, hand still raised. “Your fondness for the Ghadrikan will not serve you well.”

“You have my answer.”