Dragons Against Them (Kingdoms of Fire and Ice #2)(30)
Zayne hung his head. Curse this prolonged illness of his father. Had the man been at full strength, he would not have made such a request. And though with battles came risks, Zayne was far more concerned about Adelaide’s reaction to his early departure than his own safety. She was sure to be displeased.
But an uprising was not something to ignore, not if peace in the kingdom was to be preserved. And only peace could ensure the safety of both his mother and his betrothed.
Zayne straightened and offered the boy a nod. “Thank you, squire. Please inform the king I shall join the royal family for breakfast and then make haste to Edana.”
The squire bowed once more, then exited the room, his movements awkward but infused with an air of relief as he disappeared from view. The lad behaved so unlike the squires in Edana, who were bold young men, confident in their actions. Had Jarin done this to the boy? Filled him with fear of retribution before he had a chance to prove himself?
Zayne brushed those thoughts aside and rose from his chair. He had grander things to consider than the skittish behavior of an adolescent stranger. Battle plans to make, warriors to ready.
An Adelaide to calm.
Oh, how he dreaded greeting her with the news of an early and unplanned departure. But surely she would understand. To protect his kingdom and ensure peace throughout the land was his duty. The sooner she understood that, the easier these absences would become. Or so he hoped.
Besides, at home he would be able to speak freely with his mother about her sisters and their clan’s intentions for both Jarin and Adelaide, and whether or not the rumors of Rosalind’s capture were in fact true. Though he had sent her a scroll yesterday, none had arrived since in response. Either her scripting had been delayed, or there was more to the answer than she felt safe to pen. For all their sakes, he prayed it was the former reason, not the latter.
With a sigh, he rose and headed downstairs. Upon entering the dining hall, he found the Bennetts already seated, a rare, playful banter ensuing between Adelaide and Tristan. Zayne watched them for a moment, his presence yet undetected. Both their faces wore grins, the mood between them unusually light. Addie was dressed in a lovely blue gown, the color of which sent his thoughts on a journey to their first night in his hidden lair. A night that had changed both his future and his heart.
The king’s gaze flashed to Zayne then, the look of pleasure upon his countenance fading to its customary guarded state. Zayne stepped forward with a bow, wondering if Jarin might ever look upon him any other way.
“Forgive my tardiness, Your Majesty.”
“Prince Zayne. Please, join us.”
The smile accompanying Jarin’s greeting was clearly forced, while Adelaide’s lit the room as her gaze fell upon Zayne. Guilt and regret plagued him at the sight, knowing he would soon leave her side. Again. He crossed the room to stand beside her, then reached for her hand and placed a kiss upon its ever-soft skin.
“You look radiant as a dove, my lady.”
Pink tinted her cheeks at his compliment spoken in the presence of her family. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“Aye. And you?”
“Sure.”
Her radiant smile wavered. So slight was the change, he doubted the others had seen. But Zayne knew her well, and guilt for his upcoming early departure rattled him further.
“So, what’s on tap for today?” she asked. “A horseback ride, maybe? You haven’t gotten to see much of Will lately. He’s probably all lonely, down in the stables.”
“I would hardly say that. Several of our mares are in heat.” Quinn looked to Zayne, his eyes narrowed. “Your steed has taken it upon himself to become the resident stud. The stable hands have had a hell of a time keeping him restrained.”
“A behavior that seems to run in the family,” said Tristan, his voice low.
Zayne shot him a dark look.
“Oh dear.” Addie worked to smooth a grin from her face. “Well, always good to freshen the bloodlines, I suppose, right?”
“Hardly the topic for a lady, Princess Adelaide.” Her father’s frown deepened as he looked from his daughter to Zayne. “You will, unfortunately, be forced to leave the beast here when you return this day, Prince Zayne, will you not?”
A small gasp sounded beside him. Like a coward, Zayne kept his eyes trained on Addie’s father to avoid the look of disappointment that now surely tarnished her sweet face.
“Aye. To travel by wing shall return me all the sooner to assist with the rising turmoil in Edana’s northern region, Your Majesty. If you would allow it, I wish for my stallion to remain in Forath’s stables, to be used by Brom as needed during his continued stay.”
A smile curled the corners of King Jarin’s lips. “Yes, of course, by all means leave your steed. We shall take good care of it while you are away.”
There was something about the king’s answer that set Zayne on edge. That his betrothed had fallen silent, however, worried him even more. He commenced with a hasty meal, sensing a difficult departure on the horizon.
Addie walked hand in hand with Zayne as they made their way to the stable. Though the day was brilliantly sunny and warm, she couldn’t shake the chill that had settled over her after learning he’d been called back home. Into battle, no less. And here she was, yet again, helpless to do anything but watch him go.
“So…you’re leaving. Again.”