He glared at Indrell again. "Okay, Healer, enough with the prying questions. She will be the first to know if I do."
“And she’s the only one that sees the side of you that makes her want you to, I can tell.” Indrell turned to the door as Thaid comes in. “Good timing.”
“All of your things are packed by the horses. I shall leave you to it. Do let me know if you need anything else.” Thaid paused only momentarily to look at me. “Is she alright?”
“Yes. She will be fine.” Indrell got up and headed to the door. “I will go down and check to be sure we are not missing anything.”
“That would be good.” Kane nodded to both Emalne as they exited.
I stirred slightly, my hands going to my belly. The pain was minimal, but the instinct of protection was still there. Kane noticed my movement. He stirred the wind around us as he moved swiftly to kneel down by my side, taking my hand in his.
“Your wife, huh?” I laughed softly.
He grumbled, “You make me feel things that make me desperate to keep you close.”
“Oh. So, you’d marry me only for the desperation of keeping me, huh?”
He looked stunned. “That is not…”
I reached up and put a finger to his lips. “I know.”
Scoffing, Kane shook his head. “I don’t know if I will get used to you teasing me.”
“You will.” I smiled wide, working to sit up.
He helped me, pulling the blanket that had been laid over me up around my shoulders. “Indrell and Thaid are preparing everything before we go.”
“I know.” I pulled the blanket in around me.
“You know everything, do you?” He sat down, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
“I…”
I was cut off as Thaid knocked, entering before waiting for a response. “Your men are on their horses, and Indrell said to inform you that everything is there. My apologies that things have been less than pleasant and will continue to be upon your exit, but it seems that some of those that side with Gael on the matter of vampiric offspring are gathering not far. You may want to go now.”
Kane’s grip on my shoulder tightened. “How many?”
“I cannot be sure. My man simply said that they were made aware of the call for men.” Thaid clasped his hands behind his back.
“Are my men briefed?” Kane stood, his shoulders pulled back.
Thaid nodded. “Yes, my liege.”
“Well, if they want to challenge the king, I hope they are prepared.” He reached over and lifted me up into his arms.
As we exited out the front of the building, Wulfgar and Dorian stood on either side of the carriage. All of Dorian’s men were mounted on their horses facing the street. And Indrell was by the carriage door. Thaid, trailed behind us, coughing and sputtering as he strained to keep up.
Off in the distance, a clattering came rolling up the cobblestone pavement. A noise that grew, signaling that it was coming closer. They were coming closer. And by the shaking of the oil lamp post next to us, it was not just a few men.
“Maybe I should take her back inside.” Indrell came closer, holding her hand out to me.
“No.” Kane’s eyes fixated on the path before us.
“No?” Dorian leaned in closer. “You want her in possible harm’s way?”
He held my arms as I steadied myself. Once satisfied I could stand on my own, Kane’s fingers trailed down my arm, taking my hand in his. “She is no safer elsewhere than by my side.”
Worry pinched in Indrell, Dorian and Thaid’s brows. But it was Wulfgar that spoke. “If she is not in his sight, he will be distracted with worry. She stays.”
The opposing three all took breaths that reflected the continued concern. But none of them pushed the issue further. Dorian jerked the reigns in his hand and pushed his steed forward. “We do not know their intentions. So, be prepared to welcome them but also be prepared to defend your king.”
“And your queen,” Kane added.
Dorian shot him back a look of frustrated disapproval, but Kane’s eyes were ahead as a small army of thirty or so men rode toward us. The soldiers tightened their ranks while Wulfgar surprised me and faced back toward the building.
Seeing me tilt my head at him, he leaned over and loudly whispered, “Never let them distract you in one direction without knowing there’s not a threat in another.”
A corner of my mouth came up as I nodded in understanding. “Good call.”
He tilted his chin with pride and watched the area behind us.
Kane, with my hand still in his, stepped so he was fully visible around the carriage, leaving me slightly tucked against it with Indrell on my other side. He assessed the group, observing their movements and who ranked higher, letting them come to a full stop.
Thaid came rushing around us. “Aeden. What is the meaning of this?”
“I have come on orders of Gael. It is my understanding that this vampire has brought a human female into Gael’s establishment, seeking a healer because she is with his child. Is this correct?”
“Yes. It is, but that is none of your business.” Indrell replied before Thaid or anyone else could. She stepped around us and faced the Emalne that had assembled. “Aeden, may I introduce you to our king, Kanedraven Rathmore and his companion, Auriena Raulson.”
Aeden bowed his head, but most of the other men did not follow suit. Instead, their eyes locked on me.
