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The Demrovian king and queen had been sympathetic to his cause. Almost surprisingly so. They’d sealed the alliance with minimal loss only after a fortnight of negotiations. Having Edrick at his side had colored the diplomatic visit, Huntley knew. Without the declarations of Rowan’s cruel insanity, Huntley’s plea would have fallen on deaf ears.
The story Edrick had told, the horror he’d described that his betrothed had undergone, had curled even Huntley’s skin. And he didn’t think that was possible anymore.
She is mine, he’d thought, the anger bubbling inside him—the parts of his father emerging as he heard more and more from Edrick.
I shall protect her. I shall keep her safe.
And I shall earn my father’s respect. But Huntley didn’t care about that. That was what he’d told himself each night and every morning as the sun fell and rose over the sea.
Edrick was suddenly beside him, shattering his thoughts. Damn, the man moved light on his feet, and he had an oily look about him. His eyes were hard as he stared out at the rolling waves.
Where Edrick was as still as stone, Huntley was flamboyant and restless. They were different but needed to become two sides of the same coin.
“You served with the Black Wolf for over seven years,” Huntley said as he leaned on the ship’s railing and ran his fingers over his dagger’s hilt. “That’s a long time, friend.”
“I served under him,” Edrick corrected, a bite in his voice.
“Tell me true, how deep does this change of heart go? He took a castle and fell for the princess. What is that to you? You were still his most trusted commander and adviser. You still got your glory and satiated your bloodlust.”
Edrick gave a sharp bark of laughter. It sounded queer coming from him. “I’ve wetted my sword quite a few times, but serving Rowan quickly became a poor man’s job.”
“He took a castle. The capital seat. I’m sure there was more than enough plunder to go around.”
“Aye, around the villages.”
Huntley paused and took in a lungful of crisp air. He watched as a pair of dolphins broke through the wave’s surface. They dove in and out of the water, following along the ship in an endearing and playful dance. Huntley felt a laugh escape. He turned back to Edrick, who gazed down at the dolphins, his features as hard as granite.
“Are you always so dour? God, how did Rowan stand it?” He shook his head and leaned against the railing. “What sort of monster am I up against, sir?”
“Not a monster,” Edrick said. “A wolf. You shall be a plaything for him.” Huntley bit back his retort. Instead, he focused on Edrick’s unmoving eyes as he went on. “Sir Rowan is a proven commander—was a favorite of the king—and effortlessly won the people’s hearts.” A faraway look in Edrick’s eyes gave Huntley a pause.
It was the first true flash of humanity he’d shown.
Where did it come from?
“A heart that’s been broken, as of late,” Huntley murmured, thinking of the raids on the villages under the Black Wolf’s banner.
“I promise you he’s fully aware of your ruse by now. He took Winslowe Castle with the people, for the people. If you think they won’t help him keep it, you’re in for a rude awakening. You’ve bought time and discreetness. Nothing less and nothing more.”
Huntley let go of his boisterous laughter like a loosed arrow. “Rowan Dietrich may be a wolf… but I’m a god.”
“And humble too, it seems,” Edrick finished with a sliver of a smile that showed a broken tooth.
“Aye, and humble,” he echoed, deciding he could like this Sir Edrick.
The Greek god Pan, the shepherd of flocks, had a taste for mischief and despoiling maidens. Legend had it that Pan’s very presence caused men to panic when crossing through dark woods.
A worthy challenger of the Black Wolf, for certain.
Yet Edrick had this look in his eyes... like he was dead behind his stare or quickly dying.
What is this dangerous game I’ve joined?
“Your pride shall be your downfall,” Edrick said as if reading his thoughts.
Huntley laughed as a dolphin shot through the water and spun in midair. Edrick didn’t share in his merriment. “Were you always this way, my friend?” he probed, his right hand fidgeting with his dagger’s goat-head pommel.
Edrick looked at him and said nothing for a long spell. “And what way was that?”
