Page 52 of Highland Lords of War & Thunder: The Prequel

Creagan saw the recognition in her eyes before she could hide it.

By debt unbroken, by promise bound.

To everyone else in the hall they were simply words, not so to Eudora. Her gaze remained on him for several heartbeats before shifting past him.

Creagan didn't need to turn to know where she looked.

Legion and Torden stood together at the side of the hall.

Her violet eyes returned to him. “You came to Dunsire with friends?”

“Aye, Your Majesty.”

“The two warriors standing together at the back of the hall?”

“Aye,” he confirmed, noting she referred to Legion and Torden as warriors.

Eudora looked at them again and raised her hand pointing from one to the other. “The two of you, come forward.”

Wilford stepped closer. “Your Majesty?”

Eudora ignored him.

The two men made their way forward, stopping alongside Creagan. Neither spoke.

Eudora studied them. She hadn’t known what to expect from the three lords she had summoned, but it certainly wasn’t this kind of arrival. If they were the three lords at all. But the one called Creagan had spoken words from the summons. No one would do that unless…

“I will speak with you three, privately.”

Wilford moved closer to the queen. “I would advise against that, Your Majesty.”

“I will take that under advisement,” she said and rose.

Creagan had thought her tall while sitting, and she was taller than most woman but not as tall as he expected, though she was commanding, her shoulders straight and chin lifted as she looked at the three of them.

“You three will follow me,” she ordered.

Wilford went to follow. “I should be present.”

“I said privately, Wilford,” Eudora said abruptly.

Creagan watched the exchange with interest. It was obvious that the queen's adviser was accustomed to being included. More than that, he appeared accustomed to believing he had a right to be included.

“I don't like the thought of you alone with three armed men you don't know,” Wilford said, making his objection known.

“I will not be alone. There will be three armed warriors to protect me.”

Wilford clearly didn't agree. “Your Majesty⁠—”

“That will be all, Wilford,” Eudora said, dismissing him.

Wilford was not pleased and it showed in his knitted brow. “As you wish, my queen.”

Eudora descended from the dais.

Creagan watched her approach, intrigued by the woman who had summoned them and now stood only a few feet away. She moved with grace and confidence and if she feared them, had any doubts at being alone with them, she did not show it.

Eudora’s gaze settled on Creagan. “And you.”