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“Tell me now, who do you serve? The rightful King of Navalis? Or the enemy?”
“And if we answer truthfully and it’s not what you want?”
“Then I will execute you in front of your kingdom. Killing each and every last person who was loyal to that fucker.”
“Then it seems we don’t have a choice, does it?”
I look back at Bowman and nod.
He steps forward. “Joining our ranks means securing a future for you and your family. For you will be welcome to remain here in Soreno and also more than welcome in the kingdom of Navalis once we have re-taken what is rightfully mine. Please know I do not take your loyalty lightly. And I vow to give you mine in return.”
Griffyn looks back at his men then turns to us. His gaze lands on Bowman, and he drops to his knee in a bow. “We serve only the King of Navalis. My honor, my sword, and my shield are yours, Your Highness.”
“You do,” I reply. “And you should know that, should I doubt your loyalty for even a heartbeat, I will kill you. No hesitation. No remorse. For I protect the Rossingol family with my life, and any threat against them will not be tolerated.”
Griffyn glances back at his men, who also turn to us. Their eyes regard Bowman before they, too, drop to their knees in a bow. “We serve only the King of Navalis. My honor, my sword, and my shield are yours, Your Highness,” they repeat in unison.
“Good. I will send someone down to free you. You may return to your families, but be back here at sun up tomorrow—for we are not wasting any more time.”
Bowman and I head back up out of the dungeon. “Let them out and see to it they have food to take home to their families,” I tell a dwarven soldier posted just outside the dungeon entrance.
He dips his head in a nod then disappears down the stairs.
“You are far more fitting to be king than I am,” Bowman comments.
“There is not a royal bone in my body. I am a soldier. Not a politician.”
“You think there is a difference?” he questions. “Kings are fighting for their kingdoms with every word they breathe.”
I stop walking and face him. “You are King of the greatest kingdom in this realm.”
“And I don’t want to be.”
“We don’t often get the luxury of choosing our futures.”
“You did. When you came to Navalis. You chose to be a good man. To protect Carleah, despite the way you were raised.”
His words soothe an ache I hadn’t realized I carried. “There was never another path,” I tell him truthfully.
“If you could go back, would you do anything differently?”
“You mean would I choose to tell the truth rather than hide?” He nods. I consider the question, knowing my answer will carry enough weight to shift Bowman’s opinion of me. “No, I wouldn’t change any of it. Because, had I told the truth, your father would have had me killed. Then I would not have been able to protect Carleah from threats even he didn’t see coming.”
Bowman nods, respect apparent in his gaze. “Thank you for your honesty.”
“Always.” I turn toward the door. “Now, let’s address a kingdom. We need more warriors still.”
Chapter 31
Carleah
The water of my bath is warm, and I sink down into the tub to wet my matted hair. Thanks to the coin I lifted, I was able to purchase lodging in a town just on the edge of the Marshy Meadows. My hair had been full of dirt, leaves, and matted blood, eliminating any worry that anyone would recognize who I am.
I stare at the fire crackling in the hearth, shadows cast from the dancing flames my only company. As I sit, I ponder the life that I used to lead. One of luxury. Of warm baths nearly every night, of afternoons spent reading beside a fire. Of dreams that focused only on Fort and everything I had to hide.
Fort.
I have no more tears to cry, but that doesn’t stop my throat from burning at the thought of him. The image of him and Bowman chained to the ceiling, of Lacrae cowering in that cell while Alysia bled out on the floor haunts me every single day.
