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Kaye or I. That was who should be on the throne, said Sir Ector stoutly.
And as I didn’t want it, the crown would fall to Kaye.
When he woke up.
In the meantime, Medra’s future was still in flux. Some wished to see her raised in the temple. Others suggested she be sent to the Court of Umbral Flames in Myntra, for after all, was she not half-fae?
“I understood your reasoning,” I said, forcing a terse smile.
Lady Marjolijn had just opened her mouth to reply and I was bracing for her words when the door to the tavern flew open and a group of soldiers from Tintagel and Lyonesse entered.
For a moment, my heart was in my throat. Had the peace talks this morning been a sham?
King Mark stepped forward with Prince Taryn beside him.
“Lady Marjolijn,” the king of Tintagel said. “We must leave Camelot at once.”
The eminent lady was already on her feet. “Why? What has happened?”
“We’re under attack,” Prince Taryn said.
Lady Marjolijn let out a hissing sound as her eyes shot towards me.
“Not,” King Mark said hastily, “from Pendrath, Marjolijn.
Lady Marjolijn’s eyes narrowed. “Then from where? Who dares to attack us now?”
The king of Tintagel hesitated. “Two attacks were reported in the night. One to Tintagel’s west and the other to Lyonesse’s northwest. From what we can gather, the attacks came from Rheged. But...” He hesitated. “They were not ordinary troops.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Not ordinary?”
“It may be hard to believe—” I thought he said this for Lady Marjolijn’s sake. “But our soldiers report dark, shadowy beings. Not...human. Monstrous creatures.”
I glanced at Draven. My mate’s body was tense. He had told me about the ambush on the beach when they’d made landfall.
Lady Marjolijn’s face was red with anger. “Impossible. What nonsense is this?”
King Mark shrugged helplessly. “Perhaps it is nonsense and nothing more. But I am returning to see, either way. Immediately.”
I rose to my feet. “Pendrath stands ready to come to Tintagel’s aid should you need it.” I looked at Lady Marjolijn. “And to Lyonesse’s. Whatever we have left to give, we shall give it.”
The dark-haired king nodded his appreciation, while Lady Marjolijn simply looked flinty-eyed.
Draven applied gentle pressure to my hand, reminding me.
“Myntra’s forces are at your disposal also,” I added quickly.
King Mark frowned. “Siabra forces?”
“A new day is dawning,” my mate said evenly by my side. “Not all change must be evil. Perhaps this will herald a new time for Eskira, when fae and mortals fight side by side against their foes.”
“Perhaps,” said Lady Marjolijn. She did not look entirely convinced. She marched towards the door, then paused. “We will send word. Of whatever we find.”
I nodded. “Thank you. And good luck.”
When they had departed, I glanced at my mate.
Around the table, our friends were quiet, watching us.
