Page 91 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Callum stepped closer, his face reddening. “Her chambers were at the end of the passageway.”
Gasp. The two present, belonging to the king’s council, stared at her openly as if she had grown wings. Her heart slapped against her ribs roughly as she took a step back.
The king leaned toward her from his throne. Intrigue. Aye, that was intrigue glinting in his eyes. “We have heard of your prowess regarding sound. Do not harbor fear, my lady. My council finds fault at times in things they do not understand.Ifind promise.” No wonder Callum swore allegiance to this sovereign. “There was another purpose I originally wished you here. I would care for you to remain at court as a trusted advisorin your own right; alas, your deeds for the kingdom must remain hidden. What say you, Lady Fawnella MacHearin?”
He could have demanded her to stay. Intrigue had to be glinting in her gaze now. “My lord king, you ask, not command?”
Lifting his hands up from the arms on the throne, he replied, “By all rights I may demand, but I find those who surround are most forthright given the former method. Dare you make a king ask twice, my lady?”
“Nae!”
Alexander cocked a dark brow. “Was that nae, I shall not remain, or nae, do not inquire once more?”
She would have giggled from joy if there wasn’t another threat lurking somewhere in the keep. “I… I would be honored to remain.”
The king smoothed his fingers over his long beard and mouth. Had he just smiled? She made a king smile. A “demon hearing” Scotswoman made a king smile. Did it feel good? Wonderous! In a surreal sort of way.
Knock. Knock.Callum went toward the door then paused. “Who goes there?” he asked sternly.
“Captain,” Sir Sean’s voice muffled through the timber, “the Northern delegation is at the gate. They wished to arrive here first before the treaty.”
Callum released the latch and door. Her eyes spied both knights who had been standing guard outside before she looked toward the king who began standing.
Sir Nathrach added, “Sir Brayden is present as is Lord Kolson’s sister.” Her head snapped back around. Her inner beaming glow vanished.
By all!Thatvoice was the sound signature of the third traitor!
Chapter 46
Right here!Ten frigging steps from the king!
If panic could create a storm, the chamber would have flooded. Nella looked at Callum. The fright must have registered in her eyes as his hand tightened on his sword’s hilt till his knuckles blanched. His eyes glanced at Sir Nathrach then back at her, and she inclined her brow a mere speck.Aye, Callum, it is him!
Callum turned toward the doorway, intentionally blocking the opening with his body so the traitor could not bolt past.
“Sir Nathrach.” Callum raised his free palm outward. “Walk with me to welcome our fresh guests into the bailey.”
The king began striding for the doorway. No, no!
She dashed before him. “My lord king, may I have but one more word with you?”
“How dare you.” Lord Chancellor’s spittle almost hit her chin by his outraged hiss. “Never speak to our lord king before he engages with you first! You forget yourself already, my lady—”
The king raised his hand, halting the chancellor’s rant while Callum ordered beside her, “Sir Nathrach, step lively, lest we make the delegation wait.”
“Sir Callum!” Holger bellowed, not now Northman. “Are you trying to take my position as well? I am to greet them firstand foremost.” The Northman pushed his way past, his nose the highest part of himself.
“By all means, Lord Kolson,” Callum ground out then finished, “Flank me, Sir Nathrach. Alec, stand guard – like Largs.”
Like Largs? Alec stiffened as if a silent message had passed between them before the youngest MacCade nodded. Largs was a siege so it must have been a concealed word in warning.
“What is it you wish to convey, Lady Fawnella?” the king inquired patiently.
At the sight of her knight’s broad shoulders leaving the doorway, her world stopped a breath in time. Would she see him again? How skilled was this Sir Nathrach with a sword if it turned violent?
Soon as Callum left, Alec lunged for the door, threw it closed, secured the latch, then layered a board over as an extra gatekeeper as well.
The king’s tone turned grave. “What is amiss?”
