Queen of Hearts (Empire of Shattered Crowns Book 4) by May Freighter

Author:May Freighter [Freighter, May]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Broken Bonds

THESSIAN

At the peak of dawn, the storm had subsided to a drizzle. The dirt road the merchants used had turned into a muddy mess, forcing them and other travellers to remain in place for the day.

Thessian sat at a table in a hearth-warmed inn and ate the vegetable pottage Ronne had sampled for him. He could not help wondering how Dame Cali was doing with the movements of the troops through Baron Niel’s territory. If things were on schedule, and the storm had not slowed them, the advance forces should have arrived in Heren. From there, they would head to Avarea and then west towards Dresgan where Thessian would coordinate with them to assess the threat of the Malettes’ rebel forces.

Since the Malette ducal family began recruitment just under a month ago, there should not be more than a few hundred men. Unless the news Thessian received was outdated.

His appetite disappeared at the dreaded thought that he could be headed for a trap, just as Emilia had warned. With her ability to See, her words could not be dismissed as mere worry.

And yet, I often pray she is wrong about Kyros…

Pushing his bowl away, Thessian stood, drawing Ronne’s attention.

The boy began to shovel the food into his mouth to finish eating as fast as possible.

Thessian raised a hand. “No need to hurry. I am going to stretch my legs. Once you’re finished, bring our belongings back to the stables.”

With his mouth stuffed full of food, Ronne gave a bob of his head.

Taking the opportunity to clear his mind, Thessian scanned the dining area. Since he did not see Lady Clarissa eating with Henri and Delphine, he decided to check in on her. He could not shake his worry ever since he learned of how she and Delphine met.

What grim tale is she hiding?

While everyone was busy chatting among themselves, especially the caravan’s guards who were, once again, too rowdy to seem concerned about their charges, Thessian took to the stairs and scaled the rather small steps two at a time.

Reaching the first floor, he looked around. There were six rooms and only one of them belonged to Lady Clarissa.

He ran a hand through his mussed hair and adjusted his ashen coat to appear somewhat presentable.

Lifting his hand at the first door, he knocked.

A man’s holler came from the other side, complaining of the noise, so Thessian moved on to the next door. His fist collided with the worn wood for three raps. The silence from the other side was palpable. The prince was about to move on when he heard something clattering inside.

It would be rude to intrude… But what if Clarissa is in trouble?

He tested the handle, noting that the door was unlocked.

I could always act drunk.

Adding a wobbling shuffle to his gait, Thessian leaned on the handle and pretended to be surprised as the door glided open. He readied the apologies for whoever was inside but the words did not leave him when a sharp blade of a knife pressed to his throat, and he was pulled into the room by a slim figure.

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