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After staring at me a long moment, the king finally glanced away and shook his head. “I must admit, you definitely seem loyal to her.”
“I am,” I swore.
With a smile, he lifted his hands to show his confusion. “And yet you’ve never even spoken to her. You have to admit, this is all a difficult concept to fathom for someone who doesn’t hail from High Cliff.”
I nodded, acknowledging his perplexity. “I don’t even fully comprehend it myself, Your Majesty. I just know my life is now hers. Everything I do from this point on will be to her benefit. I honor what she honors and value what she values. And one thing I have come to learn after observing her from afar is that the kingdom of Donnelly is her home. She would die for this land. For its people. And thus, so would I.”
I took a step closer to the king and lowered my voice. “I have become your most prized ally, Your Majesty. My loyalty is now stronger for Donnelly than it ever was for High Cliff. All because of your sister-in-law and one little tattoo.”
Caulder stared at me a long moment. I could tell he was trying to weigh the truth in my words. Finally he shuddered out a long breath and shook his head. “Strong words, Prince. But if this is true, then why did you continue to conceal your bond to her?”
I took a step back and shook my own head. “A man’s misery is his own business. It was bad enough that everyone was aware I suffered and why. I didn’t see how revealing the who in my situation mattered all that much. It’s changed nothing for me. I’ll still keep my distance from her, as not to make her uncomfortable. And I’ll still give my sword, my loyalty, my life to Donnelly… Just as I already planned to do. From what I can tell, all this reveal has done was turn your cousin into a bigger dick than he already was.”
The king actually smiled over that comment. “Yes, well, I don’t listen to Soren’s advice for his sunny disposition.”
“Regardless,” I answered, not sharing the amusement. “That bullshit he spewed at Allera was unacceptable, and if he ever speaks to his wife in a similar manner…” I shook my head. “I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Caulder’s smile faded. “I will handle Soren’s unsavory behavior, Prince. Rest assured.”
I nodded my acceptance. “Fine. If you can look me in the eye and swear to me that he won’t make her suffer because of me, then I’ll accept whatever decision you make regarding my unwillingness to disclose such information you all seem to think was so God almighty important to share.”
Displeased by my tone, the king straightened his spine, making himself look bigger. “And if I decide to have both you and your sister executed?”
I stepped forward, suddenly alert. “Why would you harm Allera? She didn’t bond with any of your people?”
“She was in on the lie. She admitted it was her idea to keep the truth from me.”
“Allera only seeks peace. Then and now. Always. She can’t be blamed for wanting to avoid a possible confrontation.”
Arching an eyebrow, the king murmured, “You make it sound as if you don’t share her sentiment. Don’t you care for peace yourself?”
“I don’t advocate war, Your Majesty. But I am a warrior, meaning I don’t shy from confrontation.”
“So you’re willing to go to war against us?”
“Against you? No. I already told you, as long as she’s kept happy and protected, my sword is yours. Because of her, you may wield it anyway you wish to the betterment of Donnelly. ”
The king merely studied me as if he couldn’t trust my word. Then he said, “You’ll never have her.”
I flinched but said, “I already know this.”
“And yet you still claim ultimate loyalty to Donnelly because of her?”
I looked him straight in the eye and nodded my head. “I do.”
He nodded as well. “Then I want you in charge of my army.”
Falling to one knee, I slammed a fist across my heart and bowed my head. “It is done.”
“Rise,” Caulder said stonily.
I did.
As I met his gaze, he sighed out a weary sound and confessed, “Soren won’t like this.”
I could only grin. “Do you promise?”
Caulder narrowed his eyes. “You will not egg him on.”
