Defender of Crowns, page 22
Eda looked down at the signature he was referring to and stopped breathing. She had thought the handwriting familiar, and now she knew why. She ran her thumb over the swirling tail of a single R. It was identical to the one in the letter Roul’s mother had shown her during their first visit.
‘My mother might have coordinated my father’s death,’ Becket said, swallowing thickly. ‘However, this person’—he tapped the letter, making her jump—‘this man shot the arrow that ended his life. I want a name. My mother owes me that.’
Eda stared at the letter at the bottom of the page, trying to put the pieces together. Roul was no killer. He did not go around assassinating kings. He protected them. ‘You’re sure this is the person who killed him?’ Her voice faltered.
Becket took the parchment from her, folded it, and tucked it away. ‘It is all there in ink.’
Eda looked over at Roul and found him awake and watching her. His eyebrows came together when he saw her face. She looked away, heart racing. ‘What will you do when you find this person?’
He met her gaze. ‘I do not know.’
‘Everything all right?’
Eda jumped at the sound of Roul’s voice above her. She had not seen him get up or heard him walk over.
Woottone’s snoring stopped and his eyes opened, taking in the scene before him.
‘I’ll ready the horses,’ Eda said, getting to her feet.
Roul caught her arm as she stepped past him. ‘You should eat something first.’
She pulled free, making Becket and Woottone look up. She tried to relax her face. ‘I’ll eat later.’ Then she was walking away again.
It was no surprise that Roul came after her. ‘Eda.’
She lengthened her stride, needing to gather her thoughts before facing him. ‘I’m just going to relieve myself.’
He broke into a jog to catch up, spinning her around to face him. ‘What’s going on?’
They were a safe distance from the others now, but she was still not prepared to take the risk. ‘I think we should talk about it when we get home.’
He dropped his head, looking her in the eyes. ‘If you can’t even look at me, then we’re going to talk about it now.’ He let go of her arm and waited. When she did not speak, he said, ‘Eda, it’s me.’
It took her a moment to work up the courage to say the words aloud. ‘Prince Becket showed me a letter.’ Seeing his confusion, she added, ‘A letter you wrote.’
He shook his head. ‘What are you talking about? I’ve never written him a letter.’
‘It was a letter you wrote to Queen Fayre.’ The words rushed out of her.
His face fell, extinguishing any lingering doubt. ‘I see.’
‘It said that—’
‘I know what it said.’ His expression was unreadable. ‘How did you know it was from me?’
She swallowed. ‘Your mother, she… she showed me one of the letters you wrote her. I recognised the signature. How could you keep something like that from me?’
He rubbed his forehead. ‘I couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t tell anyone. That was the agreement. She would’ve wiped her hands of my family. I kept silent for them.’
Eda felt an unexpected flicker of anger in the pit of her belly. ‘Your family?’ She brought her face closer to his and lowered her voice. ‘What about my family? My family who bore the brunt of your actions? We were locked in that borough and starved. Corpses were piled along every wall.’
Pain flashed in his eyes. ‘Do you honestly think I haven’t carried the weight of that every day since?’
‘You sleep fairly soundly from what I’ve observed.’
‘Because I know if I hadn’t done it, then someone else would have. Queen Fayre wasn’t just going to call the whole thing off because I told her no. Either way, the king was going to die. So I chose to keep my family protected.’
She took a step back from him and dropped her gaze. ‘We can’t do this now.’ She shook her head, wishing she could shake the knowledge from it completely. ‘We have to focus on getting the prince home.’ Then, looking up, she said, ‘Or perhaps you don’t want him to make it back to Chadora.’
His eyes darkened. ‘I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.’
She stared back at him, unflinching. ‘You could’ve told me.’
‘And put a target on your back?’ He waved away the suggestion. ‘I’m not going to apologise for keeping you out of it.’
They both looked away, taking a moment to calm themselves.
‘Let’s just get to Chadora,’ he said, quieter now. ‘Then I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.’
She left without saying another word.
Chapter 32
Seeing all that betrayal and disappointment in Eda’s eyes was a special kind of torture. She rode at the back of the group now, as far away from him as she could manage. She was barely visible through the heavy sheets of rain. Five hours they had been riding, and still not so much as a glance in his direction.
‘The horses are going to need a rest soon,’ Tatum said, riding up alongside him.
Roul looked over his shoulder to where Eda’s horse was throwing its head up, its body angled against the rain. The donkey walked beside her, seemingly unaffected by the weather or the rocky terrain they were navigating. Blackmane’s bandage would need changing soon. ‘We’ll stop when we find some shelter.’
They had exited the forest a few hours earlier, before the rain started again. Now they had no choice but to push through it. Roul prayed the weather would deter anyone in pursuit of them.
‘How many miles are we from Chadora at your guess?’ Prince Becket called behind him.
Roul was struggling with his sense of direction due to the thunderous grey clouds blocking the sun. Plus landmarks were barely recognisable in rain that heavy. ‘Maybe fifty miles?’
‘That sounds like a question.’
‘Call it a conservative guess,’ Roul replied.
Becket adjusted his soggy cloak. ‘So we will not make it before nightfall.’
‘No.’
‘Another glorious night beneath the stars,’ Tatum said.
They reached a hill where a pool of water had formed at the base of the slope. Tatum walked his horse through it first to check its depth, then signalled for the others to follow. They climbed the hill as a group, horses grunting with the effort and their hooves slipping on the mud. Eda’s horse appeared to be struggling the most. It was down on its back hocks and sliding. Hadewaye reached for her when the horse began to tilt, but he was too late. The animal landed on its side, Eda managing to free her legs from the stirrups and leap out of the way just in time. She watched helplessly as the horse slid to the bottom of the hill.
Roul dismounted and made his way over to her. ‘You all right?’
She nodded, flicking mud off her hands. ‘I’m fine.’
Her horse now stood in the middle of the pool at the base of the hill. Alveye went to fetch it.
‘Did you hit your head?’ Roul asked.
‘I told you I’m fine.’ She headed off down the slope.
‘Let Alveye get your horse,’ he called after her.
She turned back. ‘Stop! I’m not an infant. Stop fussing.’ The cloak of her hood had fallen back. Her hair clung to her face and neck. ‘Your concern is too late.’
Alveye, who was now making his way up the hill with her horse, stopped. Everyone else turned to look at Eda, appearing confused.
‘Suttone, you’ve been in a foul mood all morning,’ Tatum said. ‘What’s going on?’
Alveye approached cautiously, handing her the reins of her horse.
‘Let’s just keep moving before we all drown on this hill,’ she said, tugging her horse to get it walking.
Tatum raised a brow. ‘What have we missed here?’
Roul closed his eyes. ‘Let it go.’
‘What did our fearless commander do that has you in such an uptight state?’ Tatum pushed.
When Roul opened his eyes, he found Prince Becket staring at him, a stare so piercing it almost knocked him backwards. The prince dismounted on the hill, water gushing over his feet, and made his way towards the commander. Everyone stopped and looked back, wondering what on earth he was doing.
‘Your Highness,’ Woottone called.
The prince ignored his bodyguard, reaching inside his cloak and pulling out a soggy piece of parchment. He held it up in the air. ‘The signature. The R. Is it you?’ When Roul did not respond, he unfolded it, accidentally tearing it in the process, then shoved it in Roul’s face. ‘Did you write this?’
Blackmane shifted in the saddle. ‘What the hell is going on?’
The prince was no fool. He had put the pieces together easily enough. But all Roul could think about was his family, his agreement with Queen Fayre. He turned his face up to the rain.
‘It was,’ the prince said, nodding slowly. ‘It was you.’
‘What’s he talking about?’ Tatum asked.
Eda’s hands went over her face.
‘Speak!’ Becket shouted.
Roul linked his hands atop his head and looked at him, desperate to speak yet not permitted to confess.
‘You traitor,’ the prince hissed.
Roul had thought a lot about how this conversation might go. Though he never pictured having it on the side of a hill in the blinding rain while his men bore witness. ‘I’m sorry.’ An apology was not the same as a confession. Surely he could give the prince that.
Becket’s face twisted. He threw the soggy letter at Roul—hard.
Tatum was off his horse then, falling down the hill towards them.
‘Do they all know?’ Becket asked, water spraying from his lips.
‘Know what?’ Alveye asked.
Roul shook his head. ‘Only Eda. Because of the letter. I couldn’t tell a soul without endangering my family.’
Becket ran at him. Roul could have stepped out of the way or drawn his weapon. He could have pled his case. Instead, he stood still. The prince slammed into him, knocking him backwards into the mud. They hit the ground in one unified thud, then began rolling.
‘Murderer,’ Becket shouted before they splashed into the icy pool at the base of the hill. Water roared in Roul’s ears as he was completely submerged. Then he was yanked upright, and a fist collided with his face. Roul’s blood sprayed the prince, mixing with the rain.
‘You have the audacity to show up at Harlech Castle and pretend to care about my kingdom!’
Roul braced for another punch, but then Eda came between them.
‘Stop,’ she said, facing Becket. She sat fearlessly in front of his clenched fist. ‘He was just a pawn.’ She searched his eyes. ‘You know what she’s like. You know better than anyone.’
The prince did not back down. ‘So I am supposed to ignore the fact that he murdered my father in cold blood and treat him as a victim?’
‘Holy shit,’ Tatum said slowly.
Eda shook her head. ‘No. You’ll never forget.’
Becket staggered back, glaring at Roul. Muddy water ran off him as he turned away and exited the pool. Eda exhaled slowly, then followed him.
Roul looked up the hill at the others. Their expressions ranged from shock to utter confusion. No one moved. They were all looking at him, waiting for him to fix the situation.
He climbed out of the water to address the group.
‘I’m still your commander. Still responsible for your safety—and the prince’s. So whatever you’re feeling right now, put it aside. Not forever. Just until we reach Chadora’s walls. We still have a job to complete, and we can’t do it divided.’
Eda turned away and began walking up the hill. Not only had he broken her trust but her heart. Her family had suffered enormously during the lockdown that resulted from King Oswin’s death. But no one could have predicted the aftermath—not even Queen Fayre.
Roul trudged up the hill towards his waiting horse. He passed Alveye on the way. The defender looked down and stepped back.
Snatching up the reins of his horse, Roul climbed the hill.
Chapter 33
It was her fault that Prince Becket found out. Her fault. He likely would have found out eventually when he confronted his mother, but she had exposed Roul at the worst possible time. They were in rebel territory being pursued by English soldiers, and her careless actions had created a divide so large they were all at risk of falling in.
Woottone was watching Roul like he expected him to come for the prince at any moment. Tatum was watching Woottone like he was expecting him to come at Roul. Blackmane was quieter than his usual level of quiet. Alveye and Hadewaye had detached themselves from the group entirely. They looked heartbroken and understandably torn. They were the king’s defenders, after all—and Roul was their teacher.
It made for a long and painful afternoon of riding.
The group reached the last forest on their journey a little before sunset. Roul positioned himself at the front and said he wanted to get as much space between the English soldiers and them as possible. No one objected.
They had been riding in the dark for nearly two hours when Eda got the distinct feeling that they were being watched. She looked over her shoulder at Basil, who was still trailing behind her, then to Tatum, who was at the rear. He gave her a questioning look.
‘Something’s wrong,’ she said.
A creak in the trees above had her looking up. Hadewaye must have heard it also, because he looked up at the same time.
‘Talk to me,’ Roul said over his shoulder.
Eda searched the branches but could not see a thing. ‘I thought I heard some—’
A figure fell from the trees before she could finish, knocking Woottone from his horse. Everyone drew their swords at the same time. Roul swung his horse around and went for Woottone’s attacker, but the man rolled beneath the blade. Two more men dropped from the trees. Alveye and Hadewaye were upon them in an instant. Eda’s horse reared when more men appeared on either side of them, coming at them with daggers and swords. Eda and Tatum took care of them before they even had a chance to use their weapons.
A few hectic minutes later, the rebels lay dead on the ground. Prince Becket crouched beside his wounded bodyguard. A large cut ran from his shoulder to the base of his neck.
‘I need eyes on the trees,’ Roul said as he pressed down on the wound to slow the bleeding. ‘And medical supplies.’
The defenders dispersed, and Eda returned with what supplies they had.
‘Everything’s wet,’ she said, handing Roul some bandages.
He looked around. ‘Who’s watching the rear?’
Alveye immediately moved to the back.
Roul selected the driest bandage and began wrapping Woottone’s shoulder and neck. ‘Anyone else injured?’
‘No, Commander’ came a chorus of voices.
Becket was staring wide-eyed down at Woottone. ‘That is a lot of blood.’
Roul nodded. ‘It is.’ He looked to Tatum. ‘Are we clear?’
‘For now.’
‘Tie Woottone’s horse to mine,’ Roul said. ‘Get him in the saddle. We need to leave before anyone else arrives.’
Roul and Tatum lifted Woottone onto his horse, and then everyone mounted.
‘Let’s go!’ Roul called.
Eda went to check on Blackmane, but he waved her away.
Roul was waiting next to her horse. She did not object when he insisted on riding at her side.
It was near midnight when they finally stopped. There was no stream to fill their waterskins, but there was shelter beneath the trees. Everyone changed from drenched clothes into damp clothes. No one asked about food because no one had an appetite. Eda replaced Blackmane’s bandages, then went to check on Woottone. His dressings were completely soaked through. Eda shared a concerned look with Hadewaye as they packed the wound tightly with the remaining bandages.
‘He’s freezing,’ Becket said, looking worried.
They were all freezing, but it was dangerous for Woottone in his fragile state.
Eda looked over at Basil, who was now lying down. ‘Carry him to the donkey.’
‘Why?’ Roul asked.
‘Because it’s warm.’
They carried him to the snoozing animal, leaning the bodyguard on him and then covering him with two blankets.
‘I’ll stay with him,’ Eda said. Since taking warmth from Roul was no longer an option, she curled up against Basil instead, tucking her legs against Woottone’s as the temperature continued to plummet. He was already asleep, or unconscious. Hopefully asleep.
Basil turned his head to her. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, rubbing his head.
The group was silent beneath the trees. The only sound was the horses eating the shrubbery. Eda stared through the dark at Roul. She could not make out his face, but she could feel his eyes on her.
‘Eda,’ he said.
She blinked. ‘Yes?’
‘I’ll be pleased if the donkey makes it all the way to Chadora.’
Her eyes sank shut, and she drifted off to sleep.
Eda woke to coughing. Her eyelids were heavy as she peeled them open. The fog was so thick she could barely see the bodies huddled against the trunks around her. Another cough. She pushed herself up and looked around, every muscle aching. It was Hadewaye. She reached out to check if Woottone was breathing next to her. He was.
Rising, she made her way over to Hadewaye. Crouching next to him, she saw his face was flushed red and beaded with sweat. She pressed a hand to his forehead. He was burning up.
‘What’s wrong?’ Alveye asked, sitting up.
‘He has a fever.’
Hadewaye opened his eyes, which were bloodshot.
‘You can’t get sick now,’ she said with a smile. ‘We’re nearly home.’
He swallowed, and it looked like it hurt. ‘Water.’ The word was a croak from his mouth.
Eda looked around for his waterskin. Luckily, he had some left. She brought it to his mouth so he could drink, and then he closed his eyes again.
