The Love of the Wielder (The Wielders Book Two)
Chapter Fourteen

Dinner with Maren’s parents, Jonathan, and Alec was an interesting affair. Her parents were rather reserved people and not given to uproarious conversation with people they knew well, much less people they did not know well, like Alec and Jonathan. Meanwhile, Alec and Jonathan’s individual tendencies towards exuberance seemed to increase exponentially when they were together. And Maren was in the middle, feeling like she was between two different worlds.

Despite some awkwardness, it was still a very nice dinner and Maren thoroughly enjoyed it. That is, she thoroughly enjoyed it until the middle of the dessert course when a man in a Tracker uniform walked in holding a pistol to the butler’s head.

“No one moves and no one has to die,” the Tracker sneered.

Everyone froze, and Maren felt as though her heart had stopped altogether. She had no doubt the Tracker had come for her.

Jonathan glared at the Tracker, and Maren got a glimpse of a hardened military commander behind the kind man.

“How dare you!” he growled. “Unhand my man this instant!”

The Tracker was unfazed. “I will be happy to,” he said blandly.

And then he fired his pistol.

The butler collapsed instantly and blood seemed to go everywhere. Maren’s mother screamed. Maren felt like screaming, but something told her the only way any of them would survive was if she kept her wits about her.

“I’ve come for the witch,” the Tracker said, and then looked directly at Maren. “Surrender now, and no one else has to die.”

“You should know,” Jonathan snarled, “That she is the wife of the Crown Prince. If you value your life, you will leave immediately.”

The man smiled a sickening smile. “Word from the Capitol’s that there’s no Crown Prince, not anymore.”

Maren’s stomach dropped and her heart clenched. But she shoved aside her terror that Donovan was dead for the moment. She didn’t have time to think about that.

“The house is surrounded, Princess,” he mocked.

“Come with me, or I’ll start shooting people,” he said to her.

Maren looked at him and nodded.

Everyone at the table protested until she held up her hand for silence.

“Put the pistol away first. I know the one thing you aren’t allowed to do is kill me,” she said in the most commanding tone she could manage.

He did, and Maren breathed a sigh of relief. She thought it likely he wasn’t allowed to kill her, but she also knew he wouldn’t hesitate to kill everyone else in the room. If the only thing she managed to do was save the people she cared about, that would be all right.

Maren glanced at Jonathan and gave the smallest nod she could. She thought he’d understand.

She pushed back from the table and rose, ignoring her parents’ and Alec’s protests.

Maren walked as slowly as she could. She drew as much Light as she could to her hands without the Tracker seeing. She was just out of his arm's reach when she flung her hands at him, forcing the Light to explode into his chest.

Her mother screamed again, and the Tracker flew backward and slammed into the wall behind him before falling to the ground. Maren knew he was dead.

The Light was interesting. It would listen if you told it to heal or only illuminate, but what it wanted to do was burn. If you wanted to explode or burn or blast something, you just had to tell it where to go and it did the rest. She’d never exploded it into a person before, had never even killed an animal. She had only ever fired it at harmless trees or—

“Maren!”

It was Jonathan. He gripped her shoulder and she snapped back to reality. She must’ve been in a bit of shock.

“We need to go, we need to send for reinforcements,” he said, looking into her eyes.

She nodded, no longer feeling shocked. She felt like taking action.

“We must go to my office. I can wire the fort from there for reinforcements. Maren, you guard the rear, everyone else behind me,” he said. He spoke so firmly and confidently, it was impossible not to agree.

Maren nodded and drew the Light to her, letting it glow around her fists. She ignored her mother’s gasp.

Jonathan nodded in approval and the group set out. They saw no one on the way to the office, but the house was eerily still. Maren hoped the staff was alright. She resolved to see to that after they wired the fort.

When they reached the office, Jonathan sat down before the telegraph and handed the pistol to Alec. Alec seemed baffled as to what to do with it.

“Guard the door with Maren,” Jonathan ordered.

Alec nodded and came to stand by Maren at the door. They did not speak.

After what felt like a very long time Jonathan announced he was finished.

“Help should be here soon,” he said.

Maren nodded. She had always wondered how she would react if she was truly under attack. She had worried she would freeze in terror and was vaguely pleased that she hadn’t. As terrified as the was, she felt strong and powerful.

“Alec, stay here with the pistol, I’m going to try to get the staff,” she said.

There was a chorus of protests from the others. She didn’t care. No one else was going to die for her.

“If anyone else has magical powers, they are welcome to join me, but as it is, I’m the only one qualified to go,” she snapped.

Jonathan came to her and put his hands on her shoulders. Maren let go of the Light in her hands instinctively.

“Maren, look at me.”

She did. His green eyes were shockingly calm considering the dire situation.

“They won’t come with you. They’ll be afraid of you.”

Maren gritted her teeth. She hated that he was right. She pulled away with a scoff and stalked off to the other side of the room. Maren was furious and terrified and needed to do something.

The men began moving furniture to block the windows. Then Jonathan asked her to fuse the lock in the door, and she did. Then they moved more furniture in front of the door.

“All right, that’s all we can do for now,” Jonathan said. “Best get comfortable.”

And so, the siege began.

—

Before Donovan could respond to his brother in any way, he found himself forced into a chair and restrained with Kieran’s powers. Only then did he see his parents were in a similar condition, but it appeared Kieran had also sealed their mouths shut.

“I hear congratulations are in order, brother! A wife and a baby. How charming. I think I’ll even let you see your whore again, just so I can see your face when you know she belongs to me now,” Kieran sneered.

Donovan tried to ignore him. He tried to summon the Darkness to his hands, but could not. He was powerless.

“I’ll admit, that was a clever little move you had today. Of course, you omitted a few details. Like, why didn’t you tell Mother and Father about the time I had almonds put into your food? Surely, they’d want to hear how I almost killed you?”

Donovan just glared at Kieran. There was no point in responding. He let Kieran continue with his rant.

“Oh, I remember! Because the only plausible explanation for you not dying is that your sweet little witch healed you. It’s really rather touching! I thought she’d let you die. But that’s alright, it told me all I needed to know about her.

“I’m sure you’re wondering how I knew the Light could heal. You must’ve forgotten that I have The Codex of Light and Darkness and I have read it from cover to cover, and I know things about witches you can only dream about?

“And Mother, Father, just so you’re aware, the witch can get pregnant but only by someone who has the Darkness, so, Princess Maren can still be a witch even if she’s carrying Donovan’s whelp. And I do assure you, the Princess is very much a witch.”

Donovan just gritted his teeth. He would get out of this. He would get to Maren. It would be all right.

He hoped if he thought it enough times it would become true.

“That makes me wonder, dear brother, if you can get her pregnant, and I’m so much more powerful than you, what will happen when I breed her? I bet we’ll make some powerful children. Don’t you think? I don’t want witch children, of course, but I do want an endless supply of power.”

“If you touch a hair on her head, I will murder you,” Donovan snarled, enraged.

“Aw, you love her. Adorable. You should know that by now, my Trackers stationed in the West will have her in custody,” Kieran said.

Donovan tried to tell himself that nothing Kieran said can be trusted. He tried very hard to believe that and ignored the sinking feeling in his stomach.

“I know you thought by tucking her away in a military stronghold you’d be saving her, and perhaps that would have worked. Except that dear Father told me today he planned to have me dismissed from my position and sent East, and I just couldn’t let that happen.

“Here’s the thing I want you all to understand,” Kieran said, gesturing wildly at everyone in the room. “No one takes power from me. I take the power. It’s mine. And now, I have all the power anyone needs to be king, and we’re all going to see that very soon. When it’s all said and done, you’ll be dead and Father will be dead, and your witch will be mine, and I shall be king.”

Donovan tried to use his powers again, but nothing happened. Kieran apparently noticed.

“Oh, are you finding you can’t use your powers? That is thanks to a special little trick I learned, courtesy of The Codex. I even used it to develop some new technology that I’m sure will be introduced to your…wife…very soon.”

“You have no idea what kind of fire you’re playing with, little brother,” Donovan taunted. He hoped that showing bravado would help somehow, even if he didn’t feel it.

Kieran laughed. The sound made Donovan feel ill.

“No, no, it’s you who has no idea what you’re dealing with. “You always thought you were so much better than me because you were more powerful. Who’s better now?”

Kieran smirked, clearly pleased with himself.

Then he clapped his hands, as though he’d finished some great effort.

“In any case, I’m getting tired of talking and want to get on with it. I'm sure you’ve wondered how I’ve been taking power from others, and I’m delighted to offer you a demonstration! Father, any last words?” Kieran said, flicking his fingers.

Donovan’s heart clenched in fear. Kieran was going to kill his father.

“Andrea,” his father said to his mother, “I love you. We’ve had a wonderful life together. Be strong.”

Donovan saw his mother nod to his father before closing her eyes. She could not speak and could hardly move, but Donovan watched as silent sobs wracked her body.

“Donovan,” his father said, and Donovan looked at him. He saw anger and sorrow in his face, but there was love there too. His father had been foolish about Kieran and was perhaps not a terribly good king, but he had also trod around the apartment on his hands and knees pretending to be a horse with Donovan on his back when he was little. He was his father and Donovan loved him.

“You’ll be a great king, Donovan. I love you.”

His father smiled ruefully, then choked out, “Save my grandchild if you can.”

“Ha! We’ll see,” Kieran sneered. “Are you done?”

“Kieran!” his father growled. “Pride will be your downfall, as it is mine! Kill me if you like, but this will not end here!”

“Well, it will for you,” Kieran said sounding bored.

Donovan watched helplessly as Kieran held out his hand and fired a bolt of Darkness that pierced his father’s chest like a spear. It stayed connected to Kieran’s hand, flowing out of him. Then his father’s cry of pain turned into a howl of agony as the flow of Darkness reversed and began flowing out of his father.

Donovan knew without knowing how he knew that he was watching his father’s power leave his body.

It took a very long time for Kieran to finish. Donovan’s father screamed the whole time. He knew with great certainty he would never forget the sound.

Finally, it was over and Kieran seemed to glow with triumph. His eyes had gone fully black, and he seemed nearly giddy with the joy of his victory.

Donovan felt sick.

Something seemed to happen within Kieran, and his eyes returned to normal. He looked at Donovan and his mother as though they had just finished a particularly fine meal together.

“Oh, I wasn’t entirely sure that would work. I had only done that to witches before. How lovely. Can’t wait to do it to you, brother!” Kieran said cheerfully.

“I’m going to go now, I’ll unbind you after I leave, but you will be staying here until after I have your whore, Donovan. You too, Mother. I want to make sure you know how to behave from now on.”

Kieran released the wall of Darkness for just a moment before leaving the room and throwing it back up again.

—

Maren was still unable to settle and was pacing the room like a caged animal. She knew it was not helping, but moving at least made her feel slightly better.

She tried not to think about Donovan. Or killing the Tracker. Or how her mother looked at her after she did. Or the baby. Or Donovan.

She tried only to think about her rage for Kieran and how very much she would look forward to killing him. Except that if she was with Kieran, it would likely be because he had captured her and was going to steal her powers. The thought made her stop in her tracks. Anything was better than that.

“Jonathan,” she said suddenly. “A word?”

He had been sitting in a chair, but he came to Maren where she was standing on the other side of the room.

She lowered her voice so no one else could hear, “Jonathan, if Kieran takes me, he will…he will do horrible things to me. Donovan promised me he’d kill me before letting that happen. That’s how awful I know it will be.”

He nodded. He looked alarmed but stayed silent.

“We don’t know if he’s still alive, but I know he would prefer to see me dead than in Kieran’s hands. If it comes to it, I need you to put a bullet in my head before you let Kieran take me.”

His eyes went wide.

“Maren,” he breathed. “I… I don’t know that I can. Surely, now with the baby, Donovan would want you to do anything to stay alive.”

“He knew about the baby when he promised me,” Maren said. She knew Donovan would do everything in his power to save her before doing such a thing, but she also knew he’d rather see her dead than see her spend a life in Kieran’s custody.

“Maren…this is shock talking…”

Jonathan did not understand.

“Dammit, Jonathan, he wants to keep me as his fucking pet!” she snapped.

At first, he looked shocked at her outburst, but composed himself and took her hand in his.

“I can’t Maren, I’m sorry. But I will not let Kieran take you. And if he does, I will stop at nothing to free you.”

She shook her head. “You can’t fight magic with bullets.”

“Maren, it won’t come to that,” Jonathan said quietly. Then he squeezed her shoulder and then walked away. That was fine. Maren needed space.

They heard shouts and screams coming from the hall. It sounded like the Trackers were sweeping the house, trying to find them. Maren hoped they didn’t hear any shots fired.

It was only a matter of time before the Trackers found the office door that wouldn’t open. All they could do was wait.

It didn’t take very long. They heard the door handle rattle, and then whoever it was fired his pistol through the door, either in anger or to find out if anyone was there.

Maren didn’t hear Alec’s gasp of surprise, but she did see the blood pouring out of his chest.

—

Kieran was at least true to his word and did release the bindings holding Donovan and his mother to their chairs.

“Are you alright?” he asked her.

She just sat there blinking, tears streaming down her face. He thought it likely she was in shock. He thought the only reason he wasn’t in shock was that his mind was singularly focused on getting to Maren.

Donovan went to the wall of Darkness Kieran had made and tried to dispel it. It did not budge. Donovan felt that he couldn’t even dent it or touch it in any way.

He sighed. Nothing he could do about that at the moment.

So, he did what he could for his father. He used the Darkness to lift his body from the chair where Kieran had left him and laid him out in as dignified a manner as possible. Donovan would have liked to place him somewhere besides the floor, but there were no options.

He looked around the room, but couldn’t see anything to put over his father. He thought about concealing him with Darkness, but that seemed inappropriate. Donovan was going to take off his suit jacket and use that when his mother rose from her chair and removed her shawl.

He watched as she knelt by his father and covered him with her shawl. She was crying quietly.

He gave her a moment before offering her his hand to help her to her feet. When she rose, he embraced her, and she cried into his chest. Donovan was struck by how small she seemed. Had she always been this much shorter than him? When was the last time he had actually embraced her?

Why wasn’t he crying too? Should he be? He thought perhaps he was in his own kind of shock.

“I’m sorry I sent the note. He made me,” she breathed.

“I know, Mother, it’s not your fault.” He couldn’t possibly blame her for what Kieran had done.

His mother cried a bit more and then seemed to exhaust herself. She quieted, and Donovan helped her to a different chair. She suddenly seemed very frail.

“Donovan, you’re the king now,” she said.

He hadn’t even considered it. It hardly mattered while he was trapped in the room, though.

“I don’t think Kieran will let that happen.”

She didn’t respond. Her mind seemed to be very far away.

“How could he do this?” she breathed.

Donovan sighed. He didn’t fully understand, but he could at least offer a possible explanation to his mother.

Donovan shook his head. “I don’t know. I knew…well, I didn’t think he would go this far. But perhaps I should have. He’s been stealing powers from who knows how many women. I suppose he’s capable of anything.”

His mother only seemed mildly interested in his response. “Hmm, they do say the Light is a corrupting force.”

“It isn’t,” he said quietly.

“What was that?” she asked, apparently not having heard him.

“It isn’t. Kieran is…something is wrong with him. It isn’t the Light,” Donovan said.

“Maren is one, isn’t she?”

He sighed. It likely did not matter anymore if anyone knew about Maren.

“She is.”

His mother still seemed only mildly interested. “Hmm, a witch queen.”

“Don’t call her that,” he said sharply. And then added, “Please.”

He knew Maren wasn’t particularly bothered by the term, but he was.

His mother looked more surprised by that than anything. “Apologies,” she said.

He nodded in acknowledgment. Given the circumstances, he knew it didn’t really matter.

“And she’s truly pregnant?”

“She is.” He thought about that tiny buzz within her. He hoped he would feel it again.

“That must’ve been a surprise,” she said.

Donovan didn’t quite laugh, but he made some sort of hollow sound like it. “You have no idea, Mother.”

She raised a skeptical eyebrow. “How did that not come about sooner? I assume you weren’t attempting to prevent it.”

Donovan felt rather like the time he received a lecture about how important it was to not get girls pregnant as a teenager.

There was no reason not to answer her, though. And it wasn’t as if they had anything else to talk about that wasn't horrifying.

“We weren’t…ah…involved until about a month before she left,” he said.

That also surprised her. “So, why exactly did you take her, then?”

So, he explained about the Selection and taking Maren to keep Kieran from becoming more powerful. And talking felt rather good, so he ended up explaining everything from the almond incident to finding out Maren was pregnant.

His mother didn’t seem to mind him talking and seemed at least somewhat interested in it, all things considered.

“Hmm,” she said when he was finished. “Interesting how the Selection ended up being good for you even after all those years of boycotting.”

He laughed, but without any humor. “I can’t regret it, but I can’t support it either. Assuming I ever get out of here and that Kieran doesn’t murder me, I intend for Maren’s to be the very last one.”

“My son, the reformer. I never would have guessed.”

“Well, sometimes a person changes you for the better,” he said.

He couldn’t help but notice his mother glance toward his father’s body, and his heart broke a little.

—

Maren rushed to Alec. He was bleeding profusely from his chest and when he coughed his mouth filled with blood.

Jonathan was suddenly there too, and he and Maren moved Alec out of range of the door.

Maren knew she could heal him, but she didn’t know if she could heal him in time.

“Don’t you dare die before I heal you,” she hissed.

There was a commotion at the door, but Maren had no attention to spare for it.

“Maren! They’ll come in soon!” Jonathan shouted.

“Then shoot them! I can’t do both!” she shouted back.

She pressed her hand hard into Alec’s wound, which made him groan. She wished Donovan was there. He could use his powers to remove the bullet. No help for it, though.

She urgently willed the Light within her to go into Alec’s body and heal. She focused with everything she had, desperately needing her attempt to work.

Fortunately, it did. Maren sensed the path of the bullet mending back together. She wasn’t sure, though, and she didn’t dare let go too early.

Maren held on as long as she could, but she could feel the exhaustion setting in. She had to keep going, though. She had to save Alec.

Then she felt a hand on her wrist and somehow knew it was Alec’s, and she could let go.

She did.

And then immediately collapsed beside him.

—

Alec inhaled sharply and suddenly felt the best he had in ages. Except his shirt was wet, which was terribly annoying. How had he gotten wet?

Then he glanced down and saw the blood that covered him, and he remembered.

Bullet, most likely through the middle lobe of the right lung. Lung collapsed. Fatal if not immediately treated.

But he didn’t feel like he was dying.

He checked his pulse. It was fast, but within normal limits. His breathing was easy, although something was very sore in the back of his ribs.

Then he saw Maren and remembered the rest. She had saved him and then promptly passed out. He checked her pulse and breathing. So she must be all right.

“She’s just tired from it, I think,” Alec’s father said. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” Alec said.

Was he? Not really. He was physically fine, but he had very nearly died. He still might die if the Trackers broke down the door.

He thought of Seb. Alec had not decided what to tell Seb about relocating to the Capitol. He had been uncertain. He had realized he wanted to try to have a relationship with Seb, but he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to deal with the hardship of such a thing.

But then he almost died. He would have died if Maren hadn’t been there or if she had been unable to heal him, or if the bullet had hit him in the head and killed him instantly.

And Seb would have never known how Alec felt about him.

If he ever got out of that room, he needed to see Seb. He needed to tell him that he truly cared.

The sounds coming from the rest of the house changed. There was more yelling and the sound of pistols and rifles firing in the distance.

“The military is here,” his father said.

Alec sighed in relief. He had no doubt the military would handle the Trackers. He just hoped they would do it before the Trackers got into the office.

Maren began to rouse beside him.

BANG BANG

People were pounding on the doors, trying to break them down.

Maren shook her head, then she gasped and clutched at Alec’s shirt.

“Are you all right?” she asked him urgently.

“I think I’m a lot better off than you!” he hissed.

BANG BANG

“What’s happened?”

“Military’s here. They’re fighting it out with the Trackers. I think they’re winning. The rest of us are trying not to die. Obviously, they’re still trying to break the door down,” he whispered.

Alec heard Maren’s mother whimpering.

BANG BANG

“Is anyone else hurt?”

“No. Are you all right?”

She nodded.

“Just tired. Healing something like that takes a lot.”

BANG BANG

“Jonathan, help me up,” she said.

Alec’s father was standing guard near the door, waiting to shoot anything that came through the door. He looked deeply skeptical that she was in any fit state to stand, and Alec knew she really wasn’t. But she did it anyway.

Jonathan helped her to her feet. She wobbled slightly but managed to stay upright. Alec could hardly believe it, but it seemed like she was trying to prepare to guard the door.

Alec’s heart was in his throat. He had never been so terrified.

BANG BANG

The door splintered and the furniture in the impromptu barricade shook with every strike on the door. Alec’s heart was in his throat.

BANG BANG

They seemed very close to breaking through.

“I may not get to say this again,” Alec’s father said quietly to Maren. “Thank you for saving him. I know that was costly.”

She nodded. “It wasn’t a choice.”

Alec felt a wave of crippling guilt as he understood what his father was saying. Maren would not be able to protect herself because she’d saved him. He felt awful.

BANG —

POP POP POP

The banging was interrupted by the gunshots. Alec hoped very much the military was killing the Trackers trying to break down the door.

There was a very tense silence. Alec knew that the banging would resume if the Trackers were still alive.

It felt like his heart was banging just as loud as the Trackers had been.

Then a man called through the door. “Your Grace, if you’re there, this is Captain Carstairs of Colonel Flynn’s battalion. We are still securing the house, please remain where you are at this time. Is anyone in your party injured?”

Alec’s father glanced at Alec and Maren, both of whom were covered in blood, but not actually injured. They would have to find some suitable explanation.

“Nothing serious, Captain, thank you. We’ll remain here at this time.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone, except Maren.

“How do we know they’re really military?” Maren whispered.

“He is. I know him,” Alec said.

He had never been so happy to hear the voice of Sebastian Carstairs, for several reasons.

“No one breathes a word about what the Tracker said regarding the Crown Prince. His name is still Maren’s best protection,” Alec’s father said.

Alec saw Maren’s hand tremble. Alec hated the idea as well. But he knew Kieran lied. Kieran played games. Donovan may be fine.

Alec would have to hope.

“We need an explanation for all the blood,” Maren said.

Alec looked around for a moment and then at his father.

“Shrapnel?”

His father nodded and went to rummage in the drawer of a desk. When he returned, he handed Alec a penknife.

Alec stood beside Maren. “Alright, Maren, cut just here,” he pointed in a horizontal line along his forehead. “Facial wounds bleed a lot.”

“I’ll do it,” his father said.

Maren shook her head. “I’m already bloody.”

Alec could tell that Maren hated what she was doing, but much to her credit, Maren took the knife and cut into his forehead. It stung and did bleed a lot, as he’d known it would. Probably not enough to account for just how much blood was everywhere, but at least an explanation for some of it. His black vest and jacket would hopefully hide the rest.

When it was done, she handed the knife back to Alec and offered her arm. He chose a spot and quickly sliced open a long line on her forearm. He hoped Donovan would forgive him for cutting his wife.

They waited for what felt like a very long time, but probably wasn’t more than ten or fifteen minutes before someone who announced himself as Colonel Flynn arrived at the doors.

“The house is clear, Your Grace. We have established a perimeter around the estate, so you are free to leave the room.”

“Thank you, Colonel. We have something of a barricade in front of the door, so give us a moment.”

Then Alec remembered the lock. Maren had melted it shut. That would be difficult to explain.

“The lock!” He hissed at his father.

His father frowned and then called out, “We’ll need you to break the door down, we broke the lock.”

Maren sighed in relief. Then Alec saw as she began to fall and tried to catch her. A chair appeared, moved there by her father, and Alec helped her into it.

“Are you all right?” Alec asked. He was terribly worried about her. She looked awful.

Maren closed her eyes but nodded.

“Thank you, Maren. You saved my life,” Alec said.

“I think the bullet’s still there,” she said wearily.

Alec thought so, too. It seemed to be lodged in his back between his ribs. It was uncomfortable but not dangerous. He could have someone remove it later.

“It’s fine,” he said, and then laughed wryly. “I’ve been wanting to see you do that, I didn’t enjoy experiencing it, though. Or rather, the part right before that.”

She breathed a laugh. “I understand, I learned about it because a wolf took a chunk out of my leg,” she said.

Alec hissed in sympathy. He had no idea what put Maren in such close quarters with a wolf, but it sounded awful.

“I’m just glad you didn’t die before I could do it,” she sighed.

He squeezed her shoulder. “As am I.”

It was terrifying how close he’d come to death. He was deeply grateful to her, but worried as well. He hoped she wouldn’t need to use her powers anytime soon.

Alec worked with the other men to move the furniture away from the door. Then the military men broke down the door.

Seb was the first man through and surveyed the room wildly.

“Your Grace, my lords and ladies, is everyone in all right?”

He locked eyes with Alec and Alec smiled. “Just a few flesh wounds. Nothing serious.”

Seb gave a tiny version of his crooked smile, and Alec was thrilled he had lived long enough to see it.

“Glad to hear it, my lord. Your Grace, Colonel Flynn has established a command post in the parlor,” Seb said.

Alec’s father nodded. “Let’s go there,” he said, and then offered his arm to Maren. “Your Highness, if I may.”

Seb and the few soldiers that followed him into the room looked sharply at Alec’s father upon hearing a royal address. Maren, to her credit, rose gracefully from her chair and took Alec’s father’s arm, her head held high. Alex thought she looked very regal as they left.

Everyone else filed out behind them. Seb fell beside Alec as they walked to the parlor.

“Princess?” Seb asked in a hushed voice.

“I told you that you’d know,” Alec whispered back.

Seb shook his head in disbelief.

“So, I take it this is more interesting than your last posting, Captain,” Alec said in a louder and more conversational tone.

It would be all right if anyone overheard that.

“Yes, my lord. Quite a bit,” Seb said.

“Still, it’s fairly quiet out here. I would expect the Capital would be the most exciting posting,” Alec said.

Seb looked at him. “Funny you should say that, my lord. I’ve considered transferring there, but I wasn’t certain.”

“Hmmm, well, for what it’s worth, Captain, I think you should. Life is short. You should do the interesting things,” Alec said.

Seb looked at him again. Alec did not look back, but nodded slightly.

“Well, my lord, perhaps I shall request that transfer after all,” Seb said.

Alec smiled to himself. “Well, if you find yourself in the palace, feel free to drop by.”

Alec knew their situation was still dire. He was very worried about Maren and Donovan. But he would also let himself have just a bit of joy as well.

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