Page 144 of The Infernal Battalion

He looked her in the eye, his face rigid with military discipline. Raesinia’s throat went thick. It’s not just that we’re in front of the others. Something’s wrong.

“We have the First and Second Divisions,” Marcus said. “Along with some stragglers and detached units from the rest of the army, and the cavalry reserve, though we’re very short on horses.”

“The other divisions were destroyed?” The shock of that overcame Raesinia’s worry about Marcus. That’s tens of thousands of soldiers.

“We don’t know,” Marcus said. “When our left flank collapsed at Alves, there was a rout. Some units were probably dispersed, others mostly taken captive. Some may have changed sides.” He shook his head. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a great deal of information.”

“And Janus?” she said.

“There the picture has cleared up in the last few days,” Fitz said. “Though I’m afraid it still isn’t good. Reports have reached us that his main force is, indeed, pushing through the Illifen passes. There are some garrisons there, and the positions are strong, so it may take a little time. But there’s no question of stopping him completely. Once he’s on the other side, it’s an easy march down the Marak to the Vor and Vordan City.”

Dorsay cleared his throat. “General d’Ivoire has been very insistent that we make all haste for Vordan City. We were, in fact, planning to weigh anchor tomorrow. But I must repeat to Your Highness what I told the general—​I don’t believe that we’ll have the strength to fight a battle when we get there, not without waiting for reinforcements from Borel. My own suggestion was Nordart, but perhaps a rendezvous at Vayenne—”

“Your Highness,” Marcus said. “Before we discuss strategy, I need a moment with you in private.”

“There are decisions that must be made immediately,” Dorsay complained. “If we plan to switch the rendezvous to Vayenne, we should dispatch the Prudence with orders—”

“Please, Your Highness,” Marcus said. “It’s important.”

“Is there somewhere General d’Ivoire and I could speak alone?” Raesinia said. Her heart started beating faster again, and she felt her cheeks flush. She gritted her teeth. I’m the Queen of Vordan, for God’s sake, not a lovesick schoolgirl.

“Of course,” Dorsay said with a sigh. He gestured to the door. “Follow me.”

Down the hallway from the chart room was a well-​appointed cabin—​not, in fact, very different from the room Raesinia had occupied at the Keep in Viadre, except with all the furniture bolted to the floor.

“This is the commodore’s quarters,” Dorsay said. “While I’m technically filling that role on this expedition, we thought it best to reserve them for you.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Raesinia glared at Dorsay, her expression fixedly polite, while he bowed and backed out of the room.

“Raesinia—” Marcus said, when the duke was gone.

That was all he got out before she was on him, standing on tiptoes to reach his mouth with hers, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. For a moment he went stiff, and then he relaxed slightly, kissing her, his hands sliding up her flanks.

All right, she conceded. Maybe I am a lovesick schoolgirl.

He pulled away, pushing her to arm’s length, and stared as though she’d grown an extra head. Raesinia felt her cheeks flush further, but she stubbornly met his gaze.

“You didn’t tell me you were going to Viadre,” Marcus said.

“The opportunity came up after you left,” Raesinia said, with a twinge of guilt. It was only half-​true, since she could have sent him a messenger. She hadn’t wanted to distract him, or deal with his inevitable objections. “I thought it was where I could do the most good.”

“And you were right, clearly.” He waved at the ship around them. “A navy squadron and an army to follow. That’s impressive negotiation.”

Something clouded his expression for a moment, and he took a step back, looking away. Raesinia frowned. “Marcus?”

“I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you I understand.”

“Understand what?” Raesinia’s hand went to her mouth. “Oh God. Dorsay told you.”

Of course he did. He had no reason not to. When he’d left Viadre, Raesinia’s engagement to Prince Matthew had been settled fact, not publicly announced but certainly not much of a secret. And the duke didn’t know about her relationship with Marcus, of course. Why wouldn’t he tell him?

Raesinia hadn’t been exactly planning to keep the whole episode from Marcus. She’d just hoped that she’d be able to explain it a little later. Maybe that was foolish. Damn, damn, damn.

“I understand,” Marcus repeated, all wounded dignity. “You’re the Queen of Vordan. I told you back at Ohnlei that I knew it might come to this, that you’d have to put the interests of the state before your personal feelings—”

“It’s the opposite, damn it,” Raesinia burst out. “It wasn’t until after I heard about Alves that I... No one knew what had happened to you, or whether you were even still alive. And—” She shook her head frantically. “It’s not important. Marcus, it doesn’t matter—”

“You did what you had to—”