“Possibly,” I said, my cool response garnering a rush of whispers from the closest tables. “Though it wasn’t entirely expected on my part.”
Dez tilted his head toward Gaige. Frowned. “Last I remembered, you were alive.”
Gaige lifted a shoulder in feigned nonchalance. “Things change.”
“Things change for Leena, too?” His question was too harsh. Too demanding. I fought back the urge to snap at him. Leena wouldn’t want that.
“She’s still very much alive, but that’s not why we’re here.” I jerked my chin toward the tables. “I’m looking for the Sentinel in charge of these soldiers.”
“What, don’t recognize me without my armor?” a woman drawled, swinging around on her barstool so she could face me instead of Dez. Her brown eyes sparked with a familiar mixture of frustration and fondness—like a parent who couldn’t help but love their rambunctious child, even after a severe scolding. She ran a broad hand through her cropped blond hair. My breath came up short.Madeline.Whispers of wrinkles framed her eyes, but I’d recognize that gaze anywhere.
She’d been one of the three Sentinels assigned to me when I’d turned myself over to Rhyne all those years ago. More than that, she’d been a constant in my life. A nagging presence I’d resented. A stand-in mother on the battlefield and a constant source of reprimand. She’d aged gracefully, thanks to the magic Mavis’s blood had bestowed on all the people of Wilheim. And I couldn’t have been happier that she’d turned up here.
“Madeline.” I closed the distance between us, Gaige on my heels. “You’re alive.”
She raised a brow. “Any reason I shouldn’t be?”
“No, it’s just been years and—”
“I’ll let Death know when I’m ready for him.” She took a long swig from her ale, then pushed her empty mug to Dez. He sauntered away to fill it. “Though I half expected your father to end my life when I came back with the news of your untimely end.”
I flinched. “Sorry about that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Do you have any idea how long I searched for you? I spent years cursing myself for not following you that night.” She never broke her gaze as she accepted her refilled ale from Dez and took a hefty swig. “I swore that if there was ever even a rumor of your existence, I’d root out the truth. It was my job to protect you, and I failed.”
“You didn’t fail.” The shadows around my form wavered with a gust of wind as someone exited the tavern. “What happened was my fault—no one else’s. Besides, I did die.”
“I see that.” She studied my appearance, and the sternness in her expression faded. “Never thought I’d see you again. But then one night I’m having drinks with my men, and this traveler comes into the tavern whispering about you. About how you’re a powerful, undead assassin who’s been blessed by the gods to retake the throne. Not only that, but you’ve somehow done what no leader has before—allied yourself with Charmers.
“At first, I paid him no mind. It was a ludicrous tale.” She took another long drink before setting her mug down and leaning toward me. “But then I remembered that time the city went on full alert when a dark-haired, black-eyed assassin slipped through our gates. I thought it was strange how Varek reacted.”
I recalled that fateful day when I’d brought Leena, Ozias, and Kost to Wilheim. We’d hoped a beast just beyond the city’s limits could lift Cruor’s Oath, but we’d been led on a fool’s errand by Yazmin herself. “That was me. My appearance had been masked because, at that time, I had no intentions of reclaiming the throne.”
She nodded once. “The king has been on high alert ever since then. Ratifying forces, bolstering our defenses… He’s expecting a war. I figured I owed it to your parents to find out exactly who I was supposed to be fighting.”
“And now?” I asked, my voice no more than a whisper. In my peripheral vision, I saw Gaige stiffen. I hadn’t thought about the possibility of a Sentinel coming here under Varek’s orders to gain insight on my whereabouts. Madeline couldn’t hurt us in this form—and we couldn’t harm her—but she’d be able to take her forces and retreat before I could dream of moving my men here to stop her.
“Now…” She gave me a long look. “I intend to uphold my promise and protect the prince—or in this case, the king—of Wilheim.”
A sudden lightness raced through my fingers, and a slow smile spread across my lips. “That’s good to hear.”
“King, huh?” Dez asked, palms flat against the bar. He’d barely moved since I’d entered his tavern, save to refill Madeline’s drink. Despite this newfound knowledge, he scowled with the same apprehensive look, and I couldn’t help but respect him for that.
Gaige let out a light chuckle. “Surprising turn of events, isn’t it?”
“Doesn’t change how I feel about him in my tavern, that’s for sure.” He shook his head, then sighed. “Speaking of, should I be expecting more soldiers on my lawns? They ain’t exactly great for business.”
Standing, Madeline fished a handful of bits out her coat pocket and thrust them on the counter. “I doubt it. The others don’t believe the rumors and aren’t willing to face treason if they’re caught investigating.”
“Unfortunate, but expected.” I gripped the back of my neck, then nodded toward the door. “I caught a glimpse of your brigade before I entered. My forces are about a two days’ march away. We’ll join you as soon as we can.”
“So there is to be a war?” Her brows crawled to her hairline.
“Yes. I’ll fill you in on the details, but we have several hundred men from Rhyne, the Charmers, and Cruor assassins on our side.” We reached the door and she pushed it open, the aging hinges creaking loudly. Gaige and Madeline exited first, and I paused to glance back at Dez.
Everything good in my life started right here, even if I hadn’t known it at the time. If not for Midnight Jester and Dez, there was a chance Leena and I would never have crossed paths. At one point, this place had been home to her, too. She’d want to protect it at all costs.
“Dez.”
