Page 44 of The King has Fallen
I blinked. Melek’s eyes were locked on mine—and not angry.
Was he saying that he refused to speak about my suspicions because he believed the King was listening?
Was he saying he didn’t disagree… but was playing his own hand close to his chest?
Or was he staring me down because he was a stubborn fucker?
“And yet… on a trip to the front he demandsyourpresence to… inspire?” I said cautiously.
Melek smiled grimly. “Both of us. Together. Calling the ranks to battle—a historic moment if we pull it off, wouldn’t you agree?” he said quietly.
I nodded as the image came alive in my head—Melek, the General who had led them to victory across the continent, until this point… sitting in the shadow of the King, who called them to a new strategy.
“A false hero,” I murmured.
“No, Yilan. AKing.Leading his people, exactly as a King should.”
“Still. Apparently, your mere presence isinspiring?”
Melek huffed and began to turn away, towards that screen in the corner. “I need to change into my armor. I suspect you’ll be reminded howinspiringmy presence can be,” he rumbled, flashing a self-satisfied half-smile at me over his shoulder.
My jaw dropped but he was already disappearing behind the screen as I scrambled.
Had Melek just… flirted with me?
Or was that a jab designed to make me feel small—a poke at the way he’d caught me watching him when he was naked?
I snorted myself at the torrent ofnot-smalljokes that cascaded through my head, and wished Jann were there to appreciate them. They were wasted on Melek who would only be complimented.
“Melek?”
Speak of the devil. Jann jogged into the tent, his expression serious and concerned, especially when he found me watching, but no sign of Melek.
“I’m here,” Melek growled from behind the screens. “Are you armed, Jann?”
Jann looked down at the spear he was gripping and frowned. “Of course. Why? What’s—”
“I’ve been called to the front. I need you to watch over the Fetch and Gall for me. We should be back late tonight—we’re riding—but if we are held up…”
He let that thought trail off.
Jann looked at me, his brows high in surprise. But then he grinned. “Go with confidence, Mel. I’m sure I’ll figure out what to do,” he said, with a boyish wink.
I rolled my eyes but smiled with him.
He was delicious. Not at all my type, which was what made the flirting fun. I was certain he meant it even less than I did.
Then Melek emerged from behind the screen, still buckling the armor apron over the bulge in his fighting leathers and the roof of my mouth went dry.
He’d changed into thick leathers that hugged his massive thighs, a tunic of chainmail with plate armor over hisjewels,and molded, reinforced leather braces at his shoulders and wrists. The wide weapon straps that crossed at the center of his chest were bristling with blades, and the twin gleam of his metal spear heads rose over his shoulders, echoing the rise of folded wings the Nephilim were rumored to have, though I’d seen no evidence of them so far.
Melek’s countenance was somber as he checked his weapons, then eyed Jann. A warrior preparing to fight.
I was struck, suddenly, by thevisionof him.
I knew the legends of his prowess and cunning. I knew the victories he won, and the carnage he’d left in his wake. And still, despite knowing how crucial figureheads were to a force, I had mocked him that the King suggested his mere attendance might inspire.
I hadn’t doubted he would inspire confidence in his men. But in that moment, the world around me disappeared as I saw what I’d caught in him the first moment he entered the King’s tent when I was hidden there: the sheerpresenceof him.
