Page 15 of To Save a Kingdom

The men fell into step behind her as she strode down the hallway and into the courtyard. Sentries jogged along the parapet, their nervous attention focused on the front gates. The portcullis had been lowered, which wasn’t good. As long as the sun was up, the gate should be open unless they were under attack.

Lifting her far too voluminous skirts, she marched up the steps to the turret above the entry where she found Princess Tsara and Zadé. She didn’t know if she was relieved Elessan wasn’t with Tsara, or disappointed he wasn’t here.

Spread before them, several battalions of gold-armored elves flowed over the hills into the valley surrounding the castle. A man in a golden tabard with a ridiculously flamboyant headdress that reminded Aliya of a burnished copper peacock tail appeared. He rode a massive deer with antlers wider than she was tall.

Her heart leaped into her throat. They were attacking!

She opened her mouth to give an order—what, she had no idea—when she realized none of the approaching army was brandishing weapons. Narrowing her eyes, she turned to Tsara.

The princess’ lips were thin, her nostrils flaring. Her sun-kissed skin was unusually pallid. “It’s my father,” she said, not taking her eyes off the elf on the stag.

Lead pooled in Aliya’s gut. “This is fortunate timing, right?” Surely, having the monarch here would add further legitimacy to their treaty.

Tsara bit her lower lip and tore her attention away from the king of the sun elves. “I sort of… borrowed most of his troops to come to your aid without his permission.”

Oh.

Aliya’s blood chilled in an odd contrast with the warmth settling in her stomach. Elessan had convinced Tsara to literally steal an army and come rescue her from Malkov. He had stolen an army. For her.

Her eyes burned as she fought back the wave of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. Clearing her throat, she turned to Tsara. “What should we expect?”

The female chewed on her cheek. “Well, he won’t be happy with me, especially when he learns how many soldiers the shadow dragon killed.” Her eyes flicked to Aliya then back to her father. “But he’ll be delighted the war is over.”

Aliya studied the monarch. Hopefully, he was a reasonable person, and would honor all the work she and Tsara had done to negotiate a truce.

“Whatever you’re thinking, princess,” Zadé said as she stared at Aliya’s face. “Don’t. You’re giving the bastard too much credit.”

The sun had dropped a finger-width lower in the sky as the king, his stag and his retinue paraded through the portcullis and into the courtyard. Aliya stood next to Tsara and General Zadé, surrounded by a squad of royal guards. She glanced around the yard, still having no idea where Elessan was. She’d give her left arm to have him beside her for this meeting. No doubt he was in the shadows nearby, choosing not to make himself known.

She had no clue what his relationship with his sovereign was. Based on how his jaw tensed whenever he spoke about his mother’s presence in the king’s land, Elessan didn’t like the man. Neither did Zadé.

Taking a deep breath, Aliya steeled her spine.

King Roland Enorathil dismounted with more grace than a rotund man wearing an even larger headpiece should be allowed. Skin the color of sun-kissed wheat peeked from beneath a buttery soft tunic and cloak in rich purple and green that fluttered in the breeze. His gaze roamed over Aliya, dismissing her before turning the full brunt of his stare on his daughter. His eyes darkened, the corners of his lips pinching.

No doubt he and Tsara would have stern words in private.

Aliya stepped forward. “Your Majesty. It’s a pleasure to host you.” She gave him a shallow bow.

Roland turned his focus back to her, his expression flat. He grunted, not bothering to return the gesture.

The edges of Aliya’s mouth hardened at the insult. Apparently, there was some truth to Zadé’s warning about the man.

“You and I will talk later,” he said, turning away from Aliya. “Daughter, we have much to discuss.”

Aliya’s stomach tumbled. She should’ve been the one to insist on an audience. This was her country, after all. Beating her to it undermined her authority, which had likely been his exact intention. Just when it seemed she may have the council under control, this man showed up and would tear apart all the work she’d done in the last four days for spite. Then he would take the elves, including Elessan, and go home.

Aliya met Tsara’s gaze, flinching at the concern reflected in the other woman’s eyes. “You can use the great hall if you’d like, while we prepare rooms for our… guests.” Aliya fisted her hands with the strain of keeping her tone pleasant.

Tsara nodded, gesturing for her father to follow.

Aliya glanced at Zadé. “Will you please find accommodations for the king’s soldiers?”

Zadé frowned, dropping her voice. “It may be wisest to have most of them camped outside the city until we’re certain of His Majesty’s intent.”

Nodding, Aliya chewed on the inside of her cheek. And it would minimize the risk of negative interactions between his troops and her subjects. “And he won’t take it as an insult?” Though, with his lack of courtesy for her…

Shrugging, Zadé turned to her. “Do you care?”