The Devastation (Unexpected Circumstances #7)(4)

“Is that wise, King Branford?” Parnell asked. “I understand your sense of urgency, but we are not prepared—”

“I will not have her in his hands!” I yelled back.

“Sire, we cannot just up and go to war!” Peter suddenly shouted. “Our troops have not magically grown in number and strength! Have you forgotten how devastated we were the last—”

“He has my wife!” I screamed as I stood and drew my sword. Without thinking, I moved the few steps between the throne and my advisor, grabbing the man by his neck. “I will stop at nothing, nothing to bring her home! War is just the first and most logical step! If I thought delivering your head to Edgar would return her to me, I would not hesitate! Are we absolutely clear on this matter, Peter? Or would you like to join Kimberly at the gate?”

I watched his throat bob up and down as he swallowed before he tried to speak again.

“We are clear, my king,” he finally said.

I turned my back to the man and stared at Sir Rylan.

“Do I have Seacrest’s support in this?” I asked as I endeavored to sound calm and firm. Inside, I was nothing of the sort. I needed Rylan’s men. We would not survive this otherwise.

Alexandra would not survive.

Our child...my son…

“Rylan?” I said. My voice was earnest as I tried to keep the images of her being harmed out of my brain.

“King Branford,” he said with a slight shake of his head. The large man reached a hand up to the back of his neck and scratched. “You know I support you myself, but I cannot speak for all of Seacrest. I will need to return home or send a messenger—”

“There is no time!” I tried to keep my voice in check—tried not to start screaming and ranting and raving at the man whose help I so desperately needed. “I have to strike now. Alexandra…they…they have her.”

Rylan scowled off to the side and appeared particularly interested in a spot on the floor. He stared at it for several minutes, his body still and his expression one of intense thought. His wide shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath before he turned back to me.

“I will fight by your side,” Rylan said quietly, “but I cannot send my troops into your war without receiving my king’s blessing. They will stay here and guard Silverhelm, though, so you may spare more of your own men to move against Hadebrand.”

“It is all you can offer?” I replied with my jaw tense. I knew it was all he could do in his position, but I also knew it was not enough. Without his numbers behind me, we would fall at the walls of Hadebrand with Alexandra still inside.

He nodded.

“I will send a messenger immediately,” Sir Rylan said. “I should have an answer within three days.”

“She could be dead by then,” I said. My stomach tightened up on me again, and I was about to ask him what he would do if it were his own wife when Peter spoke up.

“She could be dead now”—Peter snorted through his nose—“and you will risk all of Silverhelm—”

His breath caught in his throat, and his eyes widened as they looked into mine. I did not drop my gaze from his as I pulled my blade out of his gut and watched him drop to his knees before me. His mouth opened and closed several times without a sound before he slowly toppled to one side.

“Edgar has my wife,” I said softly. I gripped the hilt of my sword and did not bother to sheath it though blood dripped steadily to the floor. I turned toward the rest of the court, my gaze scanning each of their faces as I silently dared them to argue with me. No one spoke a word or even managed to look me straight in the face.

“We march on Hadebrand now,” I said.

I felt soft fingers against my arm.

“Sunniva.” Her name left my tongue in a soft breath.

“Edgar’s numbers are greater,” she said quietly.

“There is nothing more I can do,” I replied with a quick glance to Rylan. He did not return my look.

“If you wait—” she started to say.

“We march on the morrow,” I said with conviction. “I will not wait another moment.”

“You will lead us to slaughter,” Parnell said under his breath.

I took a step closer to him, my hand still holding my bloodied sword.

“I will die for my queen,” I said smoothly. “Will you?”

Parnell’s eyes stared into mine for only a moment before he gave me a slight nod.

“Of course, my king,” he said. “It would be my honor.”

His eyes refused to look to the weapon in my hand as he took a step closer to lean into me.

“Branford,” Parnell spoke softly as he placed his hand on my shoulder. “We do not even know if she…if they still…”

From the toes in my boots all the way to the top of my head, my body tightened again. The muscles throughout my limbs flexed and burned, and my teeth clenched. There was burning behind my eyes, but I would not let that show. I tried to remember Parnell was not only of my own family but also a captain in my army, and I could not afford to lose him. However, I could not stop myself completely as I lashed out. A moment later, Parnell was caught with my arm across his chest and his body pressed up against the wall.

“She is alive,” I snarled. “Never, ever think otherwise.”