A Fate So Cold (Cursed Kingdom Book 2), page 5
I waved a hand across the stark stretch of wasteland, along the river and to the mountains in the distance. “We follow the river to the mountains. There, we can disappear.”
“This is our home.”
“And you would die defending it,” I said. “So would I. But what about the families? What about the children? What about the mothers and fathers who have no battle experience and no skill? We don’t know anything about this army or their honor. We don’t know if they’ll spare anyone or none at all.”
The intensity of his hard stare pricked me.
His silence was telling.
“I know what you’re thinking.” I looked at him. “I surrendered our mountain. Now I want to surrender the whole damn kingdom.”
He gave a slow shake of his head, his mouth set in a grim line. “I’m thinking your father taught you better than this.”
“My father planned to run.” That much I had figured out. “That’s why he never said anything to me about my birthright. You want to talk about what he taught me? He taught me to look to the future, to forget the past. He knew about the enemy before his death and again, he said nothing. He always meant for us to leave the kingdom and once he saw the enemy, he planned for us to run.”
“Is that why you’re determined to give up without a fight?”
“We can run. Our people can run.” I started pacing along the narrow ridge. “The whole kingdom cannot. According to Amelia, the last census stood at approximately three and a half thousand. A caravan of that many people cannot move without being seen, and if they do cross the plain safely, so many cannot disappear completely. Then we have the young and the elderly and the sickly, our most vulnerable. We don’t have enough horses and carts in the kingdom to carry them all and many would struggle to travel on foot.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying there is always a choice.” I paused my pacing to hold his gaze. “And the choices we make define us. So these are our choices. We take our people and run. Or we stand with the kingdom and fight to the death.”
“Jesu.” His scowl deepened as he studied me, tried to read me. “They are all your people now. You won’t run if it means leaving anyone behind.”
“You’re right, I won’t, I have a responsibility to every man, woman and child in this kingdom,” I said. “But you could. You could lead our mountain people to safety. You’re wanted for treason. You don’t owe Nathanial or this kingdom anything. That’s your choice to make.”
He gave a brittle laugh. “You’re setting me free.”
“Markus, I know in my gut, in my bones, that my father planned to run and you followed him to this mountain. All our people followed him here, they didn’t follow me. I’m not setting you free. I handing the decision of our people over into your care because your loyalties align more truly to theirs. I know you think I have strayed, and you may be correct, but you never have.”
“Let me be clear, and I speak on behalf of all our people, our loyalty is to you and we would never leave you behind.” He pulled a hand through his hair, turning his gaze inward, over the forested valley of Cairn. “More than that, this kingdom is my home, Rose, even if it no longer wants me. I won’t run and leave it to its fate, no matter how well deserved.”
A part of me would always remain here on this mountain, with our people, and that part wanted them to be far away when war came to this kingdom. But as much as I’d hoped for a different decision, I wasn’t surprised. We’re defined by the choices we make, and this is the kind of man Markus is.
Chapter 6
That evening, we were once again gathered in the throne room for a working supper. I had managed to avoid Nathanial all day, and now I made a point of acting like I didn’t give a damn. I kept my wine glass filled and heaped my plate with cuts of tender sirloin and vegetables.
Lord Ferndale reported on his progress with assembling a team to acquire the raw materials for the firearms. Lord Ross made blustering comments whenever an opportunity allowed.
James was noticeably absent and Amelia was noticeably present with her usual flamboyance.
General Sunderland assured us that they were devising a solid battle plan and that he’d recruited all candidates from the Eagle Trials into the King’s army.
“How did you explain that?” Lord Ellis wondered out loud.
“By royal decree,” Sunderland said flatly.
No explanation required.
I tapped a finger on the leather-bound folder beside my plate and pushed to my feet, demanding the attention of everyone around the table. “We need to tell people what is happening.”
“We will,” Nathanial said.
I spared him a thrifty look. “Tomorrow.”
“It would be better to wait until we have the first batch of firearms and more soldiers to present to them,” General Sunderland declared. “Never share a problem with the masses until you have the solution.”
There were noises of agreement from Ellis and Ferndale.
Nathanial kept his opinion to himself, not agreeing, not backing me either.
I pinned a look on General Sunderland. “Firearms and more soldiers aren’t a solution, they’re a hail Mary. The people of Cairn deserve to know how precarious their future is. They need to know exactly what hangs in the balance while they still have time to prepare.”
“Prepare for what?” the General demanded.
“This is their home. Their lives and families are at stake,” I explained since the man was clearly incapably of figuring it out for himself. “Anyone who wants to make a stand and fight will be trained—the women as well as the men.”
His expression hardened. “We have less than three weeks and you expect me to waste time training civilians who’ll be worthless when it comes down to it?”
I didn’t bat an eyelid. “I do.”
He set a scowling look on Nathanial. “This is unacceptable. I’m the general of your army for a damn good reason. I know what I’m doing.”
“So does your Queen,” Nathanial said without hesitation. “I agree with Rose. It’s unlikely we’ll be able to contain the fighting to the borders of the kingdom and we can’t expect people to cower in their homes with no ability to defend themselves.”
“That’s settled then.” I turned a tight smile on Nathanial. “Although I don’t plan on anyone cowering in their homes. The town could be a warzone. I suggest we relocate everyone to the mountain. There’s already an established base and we can set up tents on the plateau to accommodate the masses. That’s another reason I want every willing civilian to be trained and armed. They may never be battle-ready, but from there they should be able to fend off small attacks.”
Nathanial inclined his head, his gaze slanting to his General. “You can’t argue with the natural defenses.”
General Sunderland still wore a scowl, but apparently he wasn’t a man to hold a grudge. “I heartily approve. The mountain will be a good place to make our last stand if we’re forced to retreat.”
“Excellent,” I said, as if I gave a fig about his approval. “Which brings us to the next order of business. There’s one man uniquely qualified to oversee the mountain camp.”
I opened the leather folder and extracted the cream page embossed and stamped with the High Chancellor’s seal. “I’ve granted a full pardon to Markus Forrester. From this moment forward, he is a free citizen to come and go as he wishes.”
“On what grounds?” demanded Lord Ross.
“On the grounds that I am High Chancellor and I intend to appoint Markus as Commander of the mountain camp,” I said autocratically. “We need him.”
“Markus Forrester took up arms against our King,” Lord Ferndale stated.
I raised a brow on the hypocritical man. “He raised his sword in protection of me, your Queen and High Chancellor. Given the circumstances which brought me here, we can all appreciate why he might have thought I needed protecting. Since then, the King and I have reconciled our differences and especially now, it’s vital we stand as one…” I finally allowed my gaze to slide to Nathanial “…and present a united front.”
Nathanial’s expression was masked, cast in iron and set in the stone-gray look assessing me.
I didn’t blink. Markus’ loyalty to me and to this kingdom had reminded me who and what I was—first and foremost, I did not leave one of mine behind and I’d rain down hell on this kingdom before I left Markus behind.
The silence dragged, Nathanial’s gaze locked on mine, pushing, and I refused to give an inch. If he challenged me on this, I would rise to it with the full might of the power he liked to claim I shared.
My mouth drew into a thin line.
His gaze slowly blinked off me and to General Sunderland, and the conversation moved on.
I sank into my seat with a small breath of relief. Not that I fooled myself into thinking I would not have to face his fury later. But I meant what I’d just said. This kingdom needed unity right now, not more divisions. And it certainly did not need a King and Queen waging a public war.
A short while later, Amelia excused herself and I used the opportunity to step outside onto the balcony and leave the men to their battle plans.
I was restless, plagued with doubts I could not afford to entertain. Telling everyone the truth was the right call. Pardoning Markus wouldn’t churn the kingdom into civil war.
Right or wrong, we were opening Pandora’s Box. After tomorrow, there would be no turning back.
The night was clear and warm, the sky a dazzle of a million stars. We still had a few months before the first snow, but when it came, camping on the plateau wouldn’t be an option and the caves could not house the kingdom’s population.
Then again, I did not see this war lasting months. One way or another, it would all be over by the time winter and its treacherous weather arrived.
Nathanial didn’t give me much time to dwell on my gloomy thoughts before he joined me outside.
“If you’ve come to harass me about overturning Markus’ pardon, you’re wasting your time,” I said, diverting my gaze from him to the diamond-studded night sky. “I will tear this kingdom apart if you go against me in this.”
“What’s done is done,” he said, his tone so damn cool and collected, I didn’t trust it. “Now we hope everyone’s energy is so consumed with the move to the mountain, they don’t have anything left for your rebels.”
“We have a foreign army on our doorstep. I think they’ll have more than enough to occupy their minds and violent tendencies.” I turned on him with a dark frown. “Referring to them as ‘my rebels’ doesn’t help either. I’ve done everything I can to bring all our people together.”
“Like undercutting me with that pardon?” He pushed a hand through his hair, his eyes glistening in the moonlight. “Ferndale would have taken your side. You knew full well you had tied my hands.”
“You’ve done far worse to get your way.”
“Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“So I’m supposed to be the better person?” I snapped. “I’m supposed to do everything by the book while you scheme and blackmail and threaten to your heart’s delight?”
He stepped closer, a glimmer of anger leaking through his steely expression. “If you think any of that delighted my fucking heart,” he growled, “you haven’t been paying attention.”
I set my shoulders back, my spine stiffening to face the full onslaught of his temper. “My mistake, implying you actually have a heart.”
“Oh, I have a heart,” he said thickly, catching my wrist, holding me in place as he leant in, his mouth brushing against my earlobe as he whispered, “Or have you forgotten my confessions last night?”
My breath caught in my throat, along with his scent of pine and ash. I couldn’t concentrate with his body and mouth invading my space, calling to me with all those little reminders I definitely had not forgotten.
The things he had done to my body, bringing me to life in a storm of intoxicating desire. The way I had felt with his gaze melting into me, with him saying things like, “You’re already doing everything right just by being you,” and “This was for no reason other than you take my breath away,” and “You’re so damn beautiful.”
I couldn’t think straight!
I shoved and twisted out of his grip, putting a good couple of feet between us. “Stop mauling me.”
He looked at me with lust and anger. It was a powerful combination. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to slap him or tear his clothes off.
My breast heaved.
His gaze dipped to my mouth and stayed there an endless moment, raising the temperature of my traitorous blood until it flowed through me like warm honey. It didn’t help that he wore a soft off-white cotton shirt that set his dark features in stunning contrast and buckskin pants that wrapped his muscled thighs.
“That’s not how you felt last night,” he finally observed with a careless shrug.
My blood went from warm honey to a boiling froth. “Make up your goddamn mind. Last night you accused me of trading my body for Markus, not pleasure.”
When his eyes lifted to meet mine, there wasn’t a trace of heat reflected in the cold depths. “Forgive me for not being amused when my wife uses the intimacy of our bed to plead for an outlaw’s life.”
“You used my love for my people to force me to be your wife and to promise you an heir.”
“About that heir—”
“Not tonight,” I ground out on my back teeth.
He scrubbed his chiseled jaw, watching me like a hawk contemplating whether to devour his prey right now or save it for later.
Then a lazy smile shaped his wicked mouth. “I was just going to say, don’t think you’re off the hook just because the shield is gone. When this is all over, our kingdom still needs unity and peace.”
The thought of giving him an heir, of giving him anything he wanted, prickled me with ice. Unfortunately the thought of how we would go about begetting that heir had the opposite effect. A warm shiver caressed my skin.
Thank goodness he turned from me, stalking away with, “You know, have you ever considered the other reason I refused to give Markus that pardon? The man wants me dead.”
“I’m supposed to believe you’re afraid of Markus?” I scoffed at his departing back.
He paused at the balcony door, glancing over his shoulder to angle a disconcerting look on me, a look that was both piercing and soft and felt like a velvet-tipped arrow to my soul. “I’m not afraid of Markus. I’m afraid I’ll have to kill him next time he comes at me and that’ll be just one more thing you will never forgive.”
My heart stuttered, was still stuttering as he swept that look off me and disappeared inside. It did not know what to do with Nathanial, not when he went and said things like that.
Chapter 7
General Sunderland sent his soldiers out the next morning to knock on doors and deliver the news face-to-face to a selected few. We’d anticipated word would spread like wildfire and it did.
The King’s Guard was on high alert, as were Liam and David, but the masses didn’t storm the castle thanks to the bone we had sent out in our message. Nathanial and I planned to make ourselves available to the public over the course of the next few days—much to General Sunderland’s chagrin. According to him, we did not have the time to cater to citizens’ individual concerns. According to me, everything we did was for our citizens.
Marquees were set up around the kingdom where people could come for information and assignations. Nathanial and Amelia paired off to do their rounds, and I paired up with Markus. Another decision I had to defend from the General. He’d insisted Markus’ presence would cause a riot.
He was wrong, until he was right.
Early in the afternoon of the first day, a young man pressed forward from the crowd gathered around the marquee in the town square.
“You’re a traitor!” He shook a fist at Markus. “A wanted lawbreaker.”
As if on signal, another shout arose from within the crowed. “He tried to kill our King and failed.”
The man up front preened and turned to face his audience. “His head should be hanging in a noose.”
A discordant symphony of cheers and boos divided the crowd’s opinion—or more likely, their loyalties.
Beside me, Markus reached for the hilt of his sword. “This is about to get ugly.”
I placed a restraining hand on his arm and raised my voice to be heard. “Markus Forrester has been granted a full pardon.”
The original troublemaker swung back to me with a sneer. “On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that I’m your Queen and High Chancellor.” I was sorely tempted to channel Nathanial and add, and I can do anything I damn well want. Apparently that was the kind of attitude that earned respect here.
But it wasn’t my style.
My gaze swept over the square. “Markus Forrester’s loyalty to me is exceeded only by his loyalty to this kingdom. Trust me, in the coming days, you will be grateful for his wisdom and guidance and his commitment to saving us from the true enemy, the enemy that will breach our borders in three weeks.”
Redirecting the attention to the real problem seemed to work on the crowd, but not on the men who appeared to have come looking for a brawl. A third voice breeched the sea of faces. “Do we no longer follow the King’s law now?”
I had dressed for battle today in tan buckskin pants and black boots to present a solid image of unity to our people—I was ready to fight for my kingdom, not sitting around in summer dresses and sipping tea in the castle parlor!
But now my skin prickled, my fingers itching to reach for my own sword that was hitched at my side.
To my utter amazement, Nathanial stepped up to join me beneath the propped flap of the marquee.
