Knightly Bonds 1: Their Majesties' Knight (8 page)

Galena approached the horse who was now watching them with interest. She noted expensive leather on one of the horses. Its flank was glossy. This was a valuable animal.

“This horse hasn’t come from Arin’s stables,” she said to Lan. Lan looked around them. “I don’t see anyone,” he said. “They must have left their horses here, and they are somewhere farther.” He glanced at her.

“You are better at tracking than me,” he said. “Do you know where they are?”

She nodded, focusing on the ground. Excitement bubbled inside her. She was good at this, finding and losing a trail. That was how she always managed to escape from Arin’s palace. Now she had a different purpose.

“There.” She pointed. “Let’s see.”

They followed the path half-hidden with leaves. The trees grew sparser until they were close to a small clearing. Muffled voices reached them.

Lan’s hand gripped her wrist. They exchanged looks.

“Watch it,” he mouthed. She nodded, concealing herself in the shadows.

The next words they heard froze them both in their tracks.

“We need to make sure Arin is dead.”

A chill spread through her body. Fear clutched at her chest. She glanced at Lan and noticed his mouth tightening. She gripped his hand to assure herself he was there and safe.

Peering through the trees, she tried to recognize the men.

There were three of them. Bardian, easily recognizable by his bulk. The man facing him, dressed in an expensive tunic, with a cruel smile twisting his lips, was Morel Desandere. Galena curled her lips in disgust. Morel and his twin sister, Madagar, were cousins to Arin and Moira on their father’s side. Moira was fond of Madagar. Galena was repulsed by both Madagar and her brother but couldn’t explain why.

Now she knew.

“Naturally,” Morel said.

“We aren’t ready yet,” the third man, whom Galena didn’t recognize, said. “Our men are infiltrating the city, and their numbers are growing. They will be at our disposal, an enemy army under the king’s nose. We will be ready to strike before he expects, since he doesn’t know anything is amiss.”

“Good,” Morel said. “So our plans are progressing, aren’t they?”

“I’ll keep my part of the deal.” The other man gave him a cool glance. “As long as you keep yours.”

“Oh, I will.” Morel stared at Bardian. “And our friend will keep his.”

“I gave you your money,” Bardian grumbled. “Everything you asked. It’s a lot of money. But I want my kingdom back. Arin took it from me. Well, I won’t stand for it. It’s mine, and I should rule it.”

“And you will,” Morel promised. “Just relax. I assure you, I know what I’m doing.”

Bardian gave a sharp bark of laughter. “I sure hope so. If Arin gets wind of this, or we fail, there won’t be any second chances. We will be dead.”

And they will, Galena thought coldly. Arin may be a fair ruler, but he didn’t forgive treason. She was surprised Bardian had enough courage to even think about betraying Arin. Then again, it was no secret he was resentful of the young king and the fact that he was practically a prisoner in Arin’s castle. He was drinking heavily. In that state, he must have been easy prey to the other, more shrewd, malcontents.

And that was how the plot began, no doubt about that.

She glared at Morel. What was his motive? It was obvious he was behind all this. But what could Arin’s cousin have against him?

A flash of light spilled over her body. Galena gasped, pain cutting into her flesh. Magic, she thought dazedly, gripping Lan to steady herself. She saw his jaw clench and remembered that being the conduit and sensitive to magic, he must have felt the attack worse than she.

She twisted to look at their foe. Behind them, Bardian exclaimed, “What?”

The blue light settled around her chest, making it hard to breathe. Galena felt Lan shifting, undoubtedly preparing for fight. She squeezed his arm in warning. They were not going to win this fight.

The woman, dressed in a pale yellow dress with a rich cloak held by a golden broach, grinned at them with satisfaction. She must have arrived just now, since they hadn’t seen her horse with the rest.

“Well, well. Look what we have here?”

Madagar. Sorceress and Moira’s cousin.

Outwardly, the two women were alike. They were both black- haired and black-eyed, tall and slim, and moved with unquestionable grace. Judging by the hard, malicious glint in her eyes, the similarities there ended.

Madagar tugged at the leash of magic that had wrapped itself around Lan and Galena. Catching an imperceptible nod from Lan, Galena allowed herself to be moved. She stumbled, and Lan gathered her up. She found comfort in his proximity.

They were in big trouble.

“Not yet,” Lan mouthed at her, then focused her attention at Madagar.

“What’s the meaning of this, Lady Madagar?”

“Still the gallant knight, I see,” she answered.

The branches crashed behind them.

“Madagar. What have you got?” Morel’s voice asked, and from the corner of her eye, Galena saw all three men join them. Bardian blanched.

“The queen and the White Lion,” he said, his face palling.

“The queen and her lover,” Madagar said with a harsh laugh. “It would appear it is a good thing I came today,” she said to her brother. He acknowledged her with a nod.

“It is.”

“I repeat, what’s the meaning of this?” Lan asked again.

“I’m sure you two have heard enough to render that question unnecessary. So let’s not play coy.”

“The question is,” Morel mused, “what are we going to do with you now?” He looked at his sister. “Don’t let them go. I don’t want to fight the White Lion, and even the queen won’t be easy to subside.”

“Don’t worry.” Madagar appeared displeased by his words. “I have got them.” The ring around them tightened. Galena felt a tiny flicker of Arin’s magic flare inside her. Not yet. She pushed it back.

“So, that’s the White Lion,” the third man said, circling him. “I have heard a lot about him.”

“As has everyone.”

“I wonder if we could get him on our side.”

“He is loyal to Arin.”

“He sleeps with his queen. And we all know that Galena isn’t happy with our lord and master. She dislikes staying with him. ”

Indignation flared inside Galena.
Don’t presume to know my
mind
,
I love Arin. We may have misunderstandings occasionally, but I won’t give him up. He is mine.

Morel laughed. “It doesn’t matter. If we let Lan go, he will go straight to Arin. Galena may not,” he said, giving her a speculative glance, “but he will. The White Lion, unfailingly honorable.”

Lan glanced at her.
So they think I’m cheating on Arin with Lan?
They have no idea we are all together. How is that possible? Madagar should know, she is a sorceress and Moira’s friend. Bardian is among the court, too.
But how and why didn’t matter now. They didn’t know.
I wonder if we can use this somehow…

“Not so honorable after all,” Madagar said. “We should just kill them both.”

“Don’t be so hasty, sister dear. Cousin Arin is going to notice his queen and his most loyal knight have disappeared. We don’t want to draw his attention. Not yet.”

“We can tell him they eloped together. Everyone in the palace knows they are sleeping together.”

“Arin doesn’t. To put it simply, he won’t believe us.” Morel frowned. “No, we have to find another way.”

“Take them with us,” Bardian suggested. “We could use them as leverage.”

“I think you are right, my friend. They are extremely valuable hostages.” Morel clapped Bardian on the shoulder.

“We will have to move right now then,” the other guy said, frowning at Morel.

“We don’t have the choice,” Morel answered shortly.

“Madagar, take care of them.”

Galena’s last thought, before magic surged through her, was that Arin needed to know this. Pain exploded through her head. She gripped Lan’s shoulders, holding on to him even as she slipped into blackness.

* * * *

Arin listened to the page reading a report from the man governing one of his eastern countries. Next to him, Garen appeared to be wishing he was somewhere else. Arin eyed him with amusement. Garen was a fine warrior, but he had no patience for many things needed for governing the land.

Truth to be told, Arin himself was somewhat distracted today, his attention waning. He perked when a page he sent earlier with a message showed in the doorway. He raised his hand to stop the reading. “Wait, Feor. Well, what is it?”

“Majesty, the queen and Sir Lan aren’t yet back,” the page reported. Arin stifled his disappointment. He glanced at the long windows to his left. The shadows were lengthening. It was late in the afternoon, and he had fully expected them to be back. Galena enjoyed outings, and Lan would indulge her, but still...

“Thank you. Inform me immediately when they return. Feor, you can continue.”

Garen frowned then leaned toward his king. “They are not back?”

“Apparently not.”

“That’s strange.”

Arin snorted. “No, I don’t think Galena escaped.” He grinned. “She wouldn’t do that to Lan.”

“I didn’t think so. It’s just…shouldn’t they be back already?”

The huge double doors banged noisily against the wall. The pages froze, and Arin’s guards craned their necks to see who dared disturb the king. Arin knew of only one person who would dare to do it. Moira rushed into the room, stalking toward Arin.

“She looks angry,” Garen said next to his ear. Arin glanced at him. The knight was giving his sister an admiring glance. The fire in his eyes matched the one in her, though its origin was different.

“Hello, Moira.”

Her black gaze fell on him, and he felt his amusement dry off. Something was wrong. He half rose from his chair. “Moira.”

She screamed, the sound filled with frustration and despair. Anger was pouring off her in waves.

“I don’t have it!”

She dropped to the floor. Arin hurried toward her, Garen following closely.

“Calm down.” Arin knelt next to his sister and took her chin into his hands. “What’s wrong?”

“My magic, I don’t have it anymore!” she wailed. Tears streaked her face.

A cold feeling settled over him. He reached for her with his own power. Moira always glowed with magic, its warm and insistent fire. She was a much better magician than he.

Now there was nothing. He frowned, examining her more closely.

“It’s still here,” he said. “But someone blocked you.”

It took a lot of power to block a sorceress of Moira’s strength. Whoever had done it, he was good. And knew her well.

Arin glanced at the present guards. They came alert under his gaze.

“Call my knights. I want my advisers here. Now,” he added, raising his voice. They blanched and hurried to obey. Soon, only he, Moira, and Garen were left.

“Do you know who did it?” he asked.

She gave him a resentful, bitter glance. “No.” She bit her lip before continuing. “But I know that someone betrayed me, which means that he is probably preparing to betray you.”

“That’s a fair guess.” Arin stood. Garen helped Moira. She let him, looking totally dejected and miserable.

“Snap out of it, Moira. I need you,” Arin admonished. Garen looked displeased. Moira squared her shoulders. “I understand.”

“Arin, Lan, and Galena,” Garen said.

“I know. Their disappearance might have a more sinister significance.”

“What about them?” Moira asked.

“They went riding this noon. They aren’t back yet,” Arin informed her.

“Have you claimed them?”

Grim pleasure filled Arin. “Yes.”

Whoever incapacitated Moira probably did so thinking it would leave Arin without a mage. Very few people knew he was a mage himself. What’s more, he was now bonded to Lan and Galena. He could tap into Lan’s innate power without damaging either of them. Moira might not be able to cast spells. Arin was.

And that was a serious mistake on the rebels’ part. It worked in Arin’s favor.

Arin tugged at the cord within himself that connected him to his lovers. He felt their response, Galena’s worry and anger, Lan’s darker emotions. They appeared to be unharmed, but—He staggered a little as, in a flash, Galena transferred her impressions of the latest happenings to him. Lan’s thoughts joined hers. Together, they conveyed their support to him.

“They are captured,” he informed Moira, “but are safe for now.”

“Good,” Moira said. “What do they know?”

“Quite a lot, actually.” Arin bared his teeth. A noise from the doorway attracted his attention. His friends were coming. They gathered around him, some looking curious, some looking worried. But evident on all faces was their willingness to fight for him.

“Gentlemen,” he said, looking at each and all of them, “we go to war.”

Chapter 6