Defenders of the Black Crown, #2 by Cate Pearce

Author:Cate Pearce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hansen House
Published: 2022-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

RAENA

THE ARENA

“Aven!” Raena shouted.

Her hazel eyes seemed to snap out of the trance she was in. Aven was wearing a purple noble lady's dress and holding a small jar of seeds, out shopping from the traveling merchants in the bailey. Her eyes were alight as though the growing chaos around her had caused her to pause mid-step in confusion.

But Aven jolted forward at the sound of Raena’s voice. She dropped her jar into the dirt.

Another band of guards ran between them, stopping Raena in her tracks. The moment they cleared, Raena and Aven were united.

She couldn’t help the overwhelming emotion, and Raena reached for her, pulling Aven into a tight embrace. At first, Aven was firm, startled, but after half a second perhaps, she melted and returned the affection. Her hands tentatively wrapped around Raena’s back, holding them close.

Raena spoke into Aven’s unruly dark hair. “There’s a battle coming. I think the diacons have something to do with it, but it may be the Boens.”

Aven squeezed, shrinking as her face pressed deeper into Raena’s shoulder. “The Boens couldn’t have come so soon. They are waiting for the treaty.”

“Perhaps they changed their minds. You must get up to the towers. I will take you to the royal wing.”

Aven pulled away, surprise in her eyes. “You have to defend the castle. You have to lead your army.”

“The master-of-arms and the generals will lead them. Come on,” Raena reached down to take Aven’s hand.

“No, Ro—Trevin. Prince. Please,” she lowered her voice, “you cannot protect me before your kingdom. I will see myself to the tower.”

Raena leaned in and whispered once more. “It’s madness in this bailey, and it’s madness in the castle. You will never make it to the tower if I don’t see you there. Please, come with me. I will fight this battle when you are out of view.”

“My life is not this important, Trevin. It’s not worth saving above the thousands of your—”

“It is this important.”

They held each other with stubborn gazes, Raena reflecting the same insistence she saw written on Aven’s face.

A second passed without either one of them relenting.

“Prince?” a man’s voice interrupted.

Raena glanced to see a guard from the circle around the carts, breaking ranks to address her. “Yes?”

“My liege,” he bowed, “ought we stay here with the grains, or join the others at the parapets? I’m sorry to ask you, Your Majesty, it’s only that...there’s no one else here to give orders.”

Raena nodded. “Of course. Leave your post and go find the next legionmen to direct you. Make sure you have enough weapons to fight.”

The guard pursed his lips and bowed again, muttering his gratitude.

Raena didn’t wait for more of an argument from Aven. “Come with me, Duchess, I promise I will lead this fight once you are in the tower.”

With a light pull of her hand, Aven consented. The two of them began to run.

Raena led them away from the kitchens and servant halls where the peasants were likely to still be clustered, perhaps worse than before.

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