Page 44 of A Tempest of Intrigue
I was almost to the front step when the thud of hoofbeats drew my attention. Despite having had plenty of riders over the past week, I tensed while bracing myself for something bad.
Some of my rigidity eased when a single rider broke over the horizon. At least it wasn’t a caravan of soldiers coming to get me, but as the rider neared, my anxiety returned as they stopped on the road thirty feet away from me.
My stomach sank when Gaius swung off his horse with an easy grace. He led the animal onto the grass, draped the lines over the pommel, and let him go.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Ellery
I wasn’tin the mood to deal with him after everything we’d gone through, and I doubted he was here for a good reason. Nothing about this man was good.
Gaius grinned as he strode toward me. His black riding pants hugged his lean leg muscles, and his red shirt paired well with his coloring.
He was handsome, but something about it was wrong. No, not wrong…fake. It was all fake, and so was he.
“Ms. Marian,” he greeted as he held his arms out. “You’re just who I was looking for.”
That can’t be good.
When he stopped before me, he brought his hands down to clasp mine like we were old friends. Startled by the unexpected touch, I jerked in his grasp, but he didn’t release me.
I resigned myself to having to deal with him. At one time, my family held enough status in Tempest that there was nothing this man could do to me.
That was no longer the truth. I’d lost the protection of my parents, and Ivan’s rise to king had sent everything into a tailspin.
Now, Ivan would probably be happy to do what he could to make those who jumped at his commands happy. That could include giving me and my lands to this man.
He might not bother to give me to Gaius. Though Ryker was certain the man wanted me too, I believed he’d be fine with tossing me aside to get his hands on my manor.
These lands were mine by law, and would be handed down to my children if I ever had them, but many laws had changed since Ivan seized control. Even without all my secrets, my hold on my property was tenuous at best.
“Gaius,” I greeted. “What brings you here today?”
His smile never wavered as he squeezed my hands. “I came to see how you are faring.”
“I’m good, thank you. And how are you?”
His broad smile revealed his even white teeth. “I’m elated, milady.”
For some reason, that made the growing knot in my stomach cinch tighter; it took all I had not to shift uncomfortably. I suspected anything that made him this happy couldn’t be good for the realm.
“I’ve received fantastic news,” he continued.
“Oh? How wonderful. If you don’t mind me asking, what news is that?”
“Of course I don’t mind! Ivan has appointed me as the new captain of the king’s guard.”
I’d braced myself for whatever he revealed, but I hadn’t expectedthat. My complete shock must have shown as he chuckled while squeezing my hands.
It took all I had not to yank at my hands. I didn’t think he’d let me free them, and I wasn’t getting into a pissing match with this man; infuriating him, especially after he’d revealedthat, would be a big mistake to make.
“I know it’s unexpected, especially since I haven’t been back in Tempest for long, but the king has noticed how beneficial I’ve been to Samael. Plus, my father made all the king’s weapons for him; he’s known me since I was a child and is aware of my history on the battlefield. I’m no Scourge of the Ghouls, but I helped win my fair share of battles.”
Was it me, or did he study me more raptly when he dropped this casual mention of Ryker? I inwardly squirmed while I smiled.
“I was leading a battalion by the war’s end and was rewarded for my efforts afterward,” Gaius continued. “But this is the biggest acknowledgment of my accomplishments yet, and I will serve my king with honor.”
“Of course you will. This is great news. Congratulations.”
