Page 62 of The Dark Prince
Aella huffed and put one hand on Tyr’s thigh. My back instantly straightened, ignoring the pain in my ribs. My hackles raised.
“I was being polite, for your wife’s sake.”
I was in too much pain and too frazzled to put up with her bullshit today. I smacked her hand and she gasped, pulling it back and cradling it to her chest as though I’d stabbed her.
“My husband keeps me fully informed,” I coolly said to her. “Kindly keep your hands to yourself.” I turned and stared straight ahead, awaiting the soldiers.
Tyr leaned into me and threaded his right hand with my left. I smiled straight ahead, feeling as though I’d won a great battle. The heat in his eyes made my insides curl with delight.
Aella pouted next to us.
The doors opened, and a man walked in with fancy silver armor flanked by a dozen guards. He must be a captain or some other high-ranking noble. He was older, his brown hair flecked with streaks of silver. A weathered and worn face gave me instant confidence in this man—he knew how to navigate a tricky situation.
“Captain Bennett.” Aella rose from the bench, reaching out her hands to greet the man. Tyr rose as well and tugged me up with him. The soldier bowed to Aella, then rose and kissed her on both cheeks. The man gave a shorter bow to Tyr and I.
“Bennett, I don’t believe you’ve met my wife yet,” Tyr said, drawing me forward.
The captain gave me a sincere smile and bowed his head again as he gave my hand a chaste kiss. “I certainly haven’t yet had the pleasure.”
I beamed back, instantly liking this man.
After the pleasantries were over, Tyr bid Bennett sit. The captain waved his request away. “I would love to, my lord, but we have troubling news from court.”
Bennett’s eyes kept flicking back from my neck to Tyr. I blushed.
My bruises. My god, he’s going to think Tyr beats me.
He sent a meaningful look to Aella and me, offering a tight-lipped smile. The meaning was clear: he had news for Tyr’s ears, and Tyr’s ears only.
Shaking, I stood, ready to leave them to talk. Tyr stopped me gently, one hand catching my elbow and pulling me to sit in his lap. I happily let my body drape itself over him, relaxing into his touch.
“You can say anything in the presence of my wife,” he told Bennett, putting emphasis on the last word. Bennett narrowed his eyes but nodded. I clutched closer to Tyr. The princess tapped her nails impatiently on the edge of the bench.
“Darius and Gideon turned two days ago,” Bennett began. “The bird took an extra day to reach us, since we were all the way out here. Three of the king’s advisors turned the week before, which was why the king sent me from his side to come back here. I was … I was afraid I’d find …” He was clearly at a loss.
I had only a small idea of what Bennett was talking about, but Tyr’s expression crumbled. I grabbed onto him with both hands, distressed at his distress.
“That’s two at once and only two weeks after the last one. It’s speeding up,” Tyr muttered, more to himself than Aella.
Bennett’s eyes were hard and serious. “You see why I came back. We must have a plan of action. The king demands one.” He shot a significant look at Aella, who merely raised an eyebrow.
Tyr missed it, his eyes on me. “I’m trying,” he grit out.
The captain’s face was ashen. “Well, tell that to Darius. He killed three guards and two servant girls before the others brought him down.”
The small bit of Tyr’s face that was visible outside of his mask paled dramatically. “No. Darius would never. He taught me how to hold a sword. He’d never—”
“‘Ripped apart’were the exact words in the letter, if you’re calling me a liar,” Bennett said steadily, his voice as cold as the frost that still clung to his leathers. The other guards around us stiffened, prepared for an escalation. “Our orders from the king are to surround the town. I brought our entire force with only a handful who stayed to protect the king. He believes it is only a matter of time before people here start turning as well and commands me to take any action I deem necessary to protect the realm.”
Tyr closed his eyes, and for a moment I thought he might be ill. His body shook, and his hands fisted at his sides. Then he gained control and glared at Bennett. “You will not threaten and harass my people.”
Aella stood and stepped forward, putting herself between the two men. “The captain is tired and cold from his travels. As are his men.” She sent his guards disarming smiles. “Why don’t we all discuss this further after a good dinner and some fresh ale before the fire?”
The two servants by the door looked to Tyr before moving, but left at once at his nod.
“Take dinner in his quarters. I will entertain the captain,” Aella murmured to me under her breath. I stared at her in shock. Minutes ago, we’d been at each other’s throats. Now she wanted to help me?
“Don’t ask. Just do it,” she replied, her teeth clenched and her eyes wide. Maybe she was more like me than I thought, and we simply wanted the best for Tyr.
