Married by War: A Fantasy Romance Stand-Alone Short Novel by Sarah K. L. Wilson

Author:Sarah K. L. Wilson [Wilson, Sarah K. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sparkflight Books
Published: 2022-09-30T04:00:00+00:00

11

HALDUR OAKENSEN

I nearly didn’t find her in that storm. How she ended up there without her horse and apart from the rest of us – well, I have my suspicions, but I do not know for certain.

I scrub my hand over my face with relief as we ride. It also helps to clear the thoughts that have been cycling around and around in my mind. Thoughts of warming her by a fire. Thoughts of warming her with my skin. Thoughts I have no right to entertain. I’m honor-bound to protect her and lead her –unhurt, yes, but also untouched – to her bridegroom. I am not he. More than that, if I look at that with open eyes, I will admit – even to myself – that in a choice between marrying this girl myself or using her to buy peace, I would still buy peace. The thought of that sets my teeth on edge. I’m proud of my resolve and disgusted with my heartlessness all at once.

I try to turn my thoughts to the mystery of her disappearance. Should I question her? Should I investigate it?

We’re days still from our destination. I must not allow this to happen again. But stirring up matters with Lady Fliad can help nothing. And if it was not her doing, then blustering at Iva for her carelessness will also not prevent future danger. She’s cold through and miserable. That’s enough warning for anyone. My men do not need lectures. They will already be hanging their heads at their lapse.

I’ll let it rest but redouble my own efforts. That’s the solution.

We reach the village in a cloud of snow and just in time. My stallion is huffing and worn. He needs stabling and a good rub down.

I dismount and help Iva down as Rhurc comes running out to take my reins. He won’t meet my eye and a flare of worry shoots through me.

Horace, Rangen, Gragor, and Trellan come pouring out the inn door. Gragor’s eyes are red. They should all be abed by now. My worry ratchets up. I look around us. Is there an enemy threat? I see nothing in the swirling snow.

“We were seeing to the horses,” Horace says and Rangen makes an annoyed sound in the back of his throat like he thinks this is a poor beginning but too late to start again now. “None of us were there. We didn’t see it.”

“See what?” I ask but I feel ice forming in my belly. I don’t like the sound of this. I gently steer Iva into the direction of Rhurc and I hear him murmuring to her about going inside the stables to warm up while he settles my stallion. Good. She’ll be safe with him.

“He had a pair of snowcat kits,” Gragor says, looking miserably at the ground. “The Lady Fliad bid me look at them, and as I was leaning over them, he grabbed me by the neck and hauled me back.”

“Who?” I ask.

“A knight from Castle Rainsdale.

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