Naming of the Queen (Return of the Ancestors Book 2) by JJ Makenzie & Jennifer Peel

Author:JJ Makenzie & Jennifer Peel [Makenzie, JJ & Peel, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JJ Makenzie
Published: 2023-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

ROWAN’S WORDS ECHOED IN MY mind while I begged the Ancestors for it to be only a coincidence. That perhaps it wasn’t even my Saloman who bore such a moniker.

“Milady,” Hannah interrupted my thoughts. “I did not give Cassian a bag.” Tears streamed down her face.

“Why would he lie about such a thing?”

Saloman did not seem to think it was unusual that Cassian was waiting for us at the edge of the forest that day. Why help me if they meant to harm me? Please do not let Saloman betray my father.

“I don’t know. He’s been behaving strangely, secretively. He wouldn’t tell me where he was going. Please, you must believe me. I have been loyal to you and your father. I swear by the Ancestors,” she begged us to believe her.

I was prone to believe her. She was obviously distraught. But what if I were wrong? Clearly, there was much I did not know. But this I did know: there were foes among those we counted as friends.

“Daughter, we have no time for this. We must go. We can speak more once we enter the cavern.” Father spoke most urgently.

“Sven,” Rowan shouted. “Take this prisoner.”

Hannah’s face fell.

“We will speak more,” I promised Hannah, unable to exonerate her as I had hoped. “But I beg you not to speak to anyone regarding what you just told me.”

Hannah bowed her head. “Of course, Milady.”

Sven seized her arm.

“Be gentle with her,” I rebuked Sven. “For all we know, she is innocent.”

Rowan did not dispute me, but he pressed his lips together, fighting back his disagreement.

“Your Highness, may I suggest you take your bride and leave now?” Father spoke.

I narrowed my eyes at Father. “I wish to make sure everyone makes it to safety.” Was that not how a queen should behave? To put the needs of her people above her own?

“The only way to make everyone truly safe is for you to live. Now go,” Father pleaded.

I looked to Rowan to counter my father. “You will not leave your men.”

Rowan’s eyes gazed out over the camp, furiously in motion, before they landed on me. He sighed heavily. “May the Ancestors forgive me. I cannot bear the thought of losing you again.”

I stood as tall as I could, trying to exude authority. “I will not be your greatest fear come to life. I will not allow you to place me above your people.”

“Wife, I did not know what true fear was until I lost you. You will live this day.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he pulled me to him and spoke lowly for only me to hear. “The last time we saw each other, I promised to teach you how to dance and to make love to you all night. I am a man of my word. Do not make me a liar this day.”

Even in the bitter cold, his words set fire to my insides. Little did he know his children already grew inside of me. For our children, I would leave with him.

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