Torrent of Tears (Scourge Survivor Series Book 3)(42)
He stuffed half a biscuit into his mouth. “Initial training is the same for all soldiers. Proficiency during that time dictates where we go after that.”
Eury swiped a pat of butter with his knife. “The Strati are drilled to be a different breed, Princess. Many let the position of power go to their heads and becoming honorless bastards. Not all, of course,” he said, flashing me a charming smile.
Ydorus pushed back from his empty plate. “Some of us are stubborn enough to believe we can recapture the united Attalos we grew up in. In years past, Attalos was an incredible place where everyone was safe to live life.”
I thought about Elani and wondered for the millionth time if she and Rowan were all right. “How many men does my mother have in her personal horde?”
The three men regarded each other as Leda brought a fresh jug of juice over and a pot of coffee. She sat them down and met my gaze. She was pretty, in an older woman kind of way. Her skin had that hint of green that marked an Earth Faery with soft mocha hair and eyes to match. “Can I get you anything else, Princess?”
I pushed my chair back and undid my top button. “Lexi, please, and no thanks. I’m stuffed. But I could use a change of clothes. Is there something I could throw on so I can rinse my shirt?” I gave a cautious sniff and wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, that would be great.”
“I’ll find her something.” The rough timbre of Rowan’s voice had me whirling in my chair. There, leaning on the frame of the archway into the kitchen was the master of the house. He looked freshly washed and well-pressed in grey slacks and a crisp white shirt. He strode across the kitchen and bent to kiss Leda on the cheek. “How have you been?”
“Well, thank you, sir.” She brushed a light hand down his muscled arm and smiled. “And incredibly thankful Jonash called me back to service. I’ve missed this.”
Once again I thought of Elora and the way she ran our household back at Haven. The more mouths to feed the better, nothing was ever an imposition and everyone was always welcome. Leda and Elora were cut from the same cloth.
She swept a hand and gestured to the room. “These halls have been silent too long.”
Rowan’s smile faltered. He turned his back and reached into a cabinet for a mug. He shifted a few around and when he faced us again he wore a mask of perfect contentment. “I left money on your desk for the market. Take care not to draw attention to the fact that we have mouths to feed. The last thing we need is for the Queen’s Guard to end up here again.”
Leda paled and then gathered our empty plates. “I shall be discreet.”
Rowan abandoned the idea of coffee and headed toward the hall. As he passed by, he threw me a gut-wrenching stare.
Was I meant to follow him?
I thanked Leda and hurried behind. His long, smooth stride ate the distance of the massive halls like nothing. He didn’t even seem aware that I was with him. Or he didn’t care.
After a maze of halls and two flights of stairs my cheeks were starting to burn. “Hey, Doc. What did I do now? Obviously, you’re pissed and my keen intuition says it’s directed at me.”
Rowan turned on me and I fought not to recoil. The eyes that locked on mine were blazing and cold.
“Okay, definitely pissed and definitely at me.”
He turned again and the walk of the tempest continued. I followed at a safe distance, watching the tension in his broad shoulders as he stomped through his house. I’d been struck dumb by the strength in his arms and back the other night at the forge, but his butt was rather spectacular too. And his gait, uh-huh, he strode like a predator stalking a kill.
I swallowed hard, knowing exactly who the kill was this morning.
What did I do? That question seemed to be at the root of all my troubles through the years—with Bruin, with Jade, with the multitude of people who I had inadvertently offended—but this time, I honestly didn’t know.
Around another corner and up to the third floor. When we came to a set of ornately carved orichalcum doors, Rowan jolted to a stop, his palms resting on both handles.
Standing behind him I could see the violent flex and hollow of his stubbled jaw as the rest of him remained utterly still. Without warning he rammed his forehead against the door panels. Once. Twice. I leapt forward as he cranked on the handles and sent them sailing.
Shit. The master suite.
The room was stunning. The far wall backed onto the tiered glass atrium. From this side, I couldn’t hear the trickle of water, but the scampering shadows of a never-ending waterfall plummet flickered against the lit glass. A huge canopy bed nudged against it, the lush, heavy draperies hanging in a silver and violet brocade. As Rowan’s fingers trailed down the fringed edge of the drapery, the fury in his frame seemed to drain.
“I never came back.” His voice was dead as he sank onto the violet duvet. “I didn’t want to see this house without them in it. I swore I’d only come back once I reclaimed our family honor and found a way to free Elani from her sentence.”
“But here you are.”
“Yup, here I am.” He fingered the stitching of the bedspread, his head bowed so his hair covered his face. “The Queen’s whore, the embarrassment of the Fifth sector, an utter failure as a Noble, son, and brother.”
“The game’s not over yet. From where I stand, I’d say you’re doing okay. You’ve kept Elani alive this long. Tell me what happened at the palace?”