Page 108 of Hunt Me

“And where are these houses?” Luka bellowed. “Where is your house? I will tell you where your house is—they are cowards sequestered away behind their gilded gates, unwilling to dirty their hands as a means to remain nonpartisan!”

Ezra’s body tensed from Luka’s insult.

“You’d do well to hold your tongue when speaking of House Gustafson. Heed my warning, King; you’d prefer House Gustafson to remain nonpartisan. Do not tip the scales.”

The two men glared at one another—unyielding and unapologetic until Ezra spoke first, breaking the silence.

“I am no longer in the mood to hold in my entrails. Hopefully, Dr. Blackwood is still alive. Today was a day of tragedy—tomorrow will be a day of reckoning,” he said before dismissing himself.

Luka swallowed the lump that’d formed in his throat. In his rage, he’d disrespected the only man he considered a friend and feared the scales were already tipped.

40

Old Friend, New Foe

The carriage swayed gently as they traveled the empty road toward the town center. Luka had barely assisted Matilda into the carriage when threatening dark clouds rolled in, and lightning streaked the sky. The torrential downpour matched their mood, fitting the occasion. He insisted on delivering the ill news himself; however, Matilda was adamant that it was her duty to inform Belzar of his loved one’s passing. He couldn’t argue with her because she was right, but he was still on edge. The attack had been less than forty-eight hours ago, and threats still lurked from every corner of Night Falls—not including their foes in Moonshire.

He’d considered that word of the traitorous attack had reached the ears of Prince Lykaon. The prince was likely filled with glee, reveling at the notion that he wouldn’t have to dirty his hands to defeat him—the nobles and disgruntled residents would see to it.

“Your silence haunts me, my King,” Matilda whispered as she gazed out the window at a herd of cows that were seeking refuge from the rain.

“I thought you would be relieved,” he answered.

She shook her head slightly.

“You should be turning red in the face and yelling at me for the simplest transgression.”

“It is never simple with you. Perhaps I have nothing to say.”

“You? With nothing to say? That is peculiar.”

Instead of responding to her quip, he asked her, “Do you wish to speak your mind?”

Luka’s heart hung heavy in his chest when she trained her cold, mournful eyes on him. The sparkling light in her eyes, which burned brighter than the sun, had dimmed significantly, nearly to the point of extinction. He was particularly fond of her eyes. They were perpetually expressive, filled with laughter, mischief, and mirth. While waiting for her response, he wondered how long it would take her to regain her spark. What would he have to do?

“Belzar… he will not take this well, I’m afraid. I am preparing myself for the inevitable.”

“And what is the inevitable?” he asked cautiously. She shrugged.

“There will be crying and shouting on an unimaginable level, and I fear offering him restitution will offend him.”

“Offense or not, he will gleefully take the money.”

“He will, but not before reminding me that Belzara would still be alive if I hadn’t whisked her away.”

He grabbed her hand and tugged her gently until she was lying with her head in his lap. “Think nothing of it. You know the outcome—no use in agonizing over it. Rest, my Queen.”

“I cannot bear the thought of closing my eyes.”

“You haven’t slumbered since the attack.”

“The nightmares are so vivid,” she whispered, clutching his hand for support.

“I will consult with Dr. Blackwood when we return to the castle. Surely, he can provide an elixir that will aid with sleep. Now, hush.”

She was silent for a whole minute before saying, “Do you recall that time in the carriage?”

Luka’s lips tilted into a smile before asking, “Were manacles involved?”