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“Constance lost everything and it turned her into a power-hungry, narcissistic kakka who spread misery everywhere she went. You lost everything... and it only made you kind.”
“Kind?” He arched a brow, laughing derisively. “You’ve called me everything but since you arrived. Don’t puff me up with empty flattery, woman. I’m not yet so pathetic that I need your lies.”
Sighing, I rolled my eyes. “I’m not lying. You are kind. You’re also an ass,” I added, giving him a look. “But a kind one.”
“You believe this because?”
“Foalan—another child of your enemy who you gave a second chance.” My grin was wide and knowing. “Treasa—you’re the king of Lumenfell, but you trek out in the snow to see her to spare her the inconvenience. Bradach—you’ve kept a promise to your mother all this time, even the man could fray the patience of Meya herself. Aydan,” I said, for I had finally learned the little fox boy’s name. “He had nothing and no one, and you gave him a home again.
“And me. You claimed the bitter, spoiled princess of the man who destroyed your happiness, and instead of taking your revenge out of my backside, you’ve treated me as an equal and your queen.” I kissed his wrinkled brow. “I’ve always said the measure of a man is how he treats the people under him. With all you’ve done for your people, and the more you’ve done for the ones who let you down, I’d say that makes you the best man I know.”
“Hmm. Well, you were raised in a sheltered bubble. You don’t know very many men.”
“But I’ve known a lot of jackasses,” I snapped, “and you rise above them all. Why must you make everything difficult? It’s a compliment. You take them with a thank-you.”
“Why should I do that when I knew this would happen? You saw what became of the fox boy, heard my tale, and now I’ve softened in your eyes like a ripe peach baking in the sun. It’s unacceptable.”
My jaw hung open. “It’s unacceptable that I should see a softer, kinder side of my husband?”
“I shall rid you of the belief that I’m either”—his claws sprung forth for the first time in weeks, and tore my dress to ribbons—“tonight. I had that cane brought up for you, little bird. You won’t be singing of my softness when you’re limping through the castle tomorrow morning.”
Heat exploded in my lower belly, fed by the weeks-long wait it had no interest in. “Well,” I said lightly, “if that’s what you must do.”
Alisdair was on me before I finished the sentence.
Chapter Fourteen
Alisdair healed quickly in the coming weeks, and with news of his recovery spreading through Wind and Wild, the wolf attacks on our people and the villages ceased.
“But I’ve yet to find my brother,” Foalan said, his forehead stuck to the floor. “My failure is unacceptable, my lord. I insist I be flogged, then replaced. Your army deserves a better man than I.”
Alisdair, Foalan, Eadaoin, Aeris, and I were out in the gardens. Aeris fluttered around Alisdair—giving him ale, adjusting the hanging orblights, fluffing his throne cushions. She agreed with me that he shouldn’t be out of bed until the healers declared him out of the woods. But nothing, not even being outnumbered, stopped Alisdair from doing exactly what he wished to do.
I checked him over, then returned to my task. The little patch I scratched out for myself was just beginning to sprout. Eadaoin put on a polite face, and pretended to be interested while I gushed at her—explaining all the hows and whys of what I was doing.
I kept my other ear on Foalan and Alisdair’s conversation.
“I will not flog or replace you for failing to locate your brother. Meallan knows Wind and Wild’s dark and forgotten corners better than anyone. He hoards a thousand bolt holes, and he’s an expert at covering his tracks. I never expected him to be easy to find. But—” A hard, vicious edge crept into his voice. “I will flog, replace, and behead you if you tell me once more that you haven’t found the traitor who attacked and baited my queen.”
My conversation with Eadaoin ceased abruptly. I half rose, ready and willing to dive in front of Foalan. I was beginning to understand Alisdair and when he was or wasn’t being sincere.
And right then he’d never sounded more serious.
“On that topic,” Foalan began, drawing me closer. “I will not disappoint you. The traitor has been found.”
“Who is it?” Alisdair, Aeris, Eadaoin, and I asked at once.
“You’re unlikely to know her, my lady,” Foalan replied, lifting his head high enough to meet my eyes. “She’s a kitchen maid. Her name is Eavan.”
“Where is she?” Alisdair broke in. “Bring her here. Now. I will execute her myself.”
“Hold on a moment.” I moved between him and Foalan. “Why would she do this? Was Meallan threatening or blackmailing her? Was she helping him because she wanted the curse to remain unbroken?”
“The only thing that matters less than these questions are their response,” Alisdair said. “She dies.”
I gave him a look. “I would still like to hear the response, husband, so if you please...?”
He flapped a hand. “Very well.”
