CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX ISI #2
“For the rescue mission itself,” Coralee said, “I suggest Malcolm Reid.” She handed Trew the list she’d made. “His tactical mind will be invaluable.”
“Agreed.” Trew studied the list. “I see your name on here.”
“I’d like to go if that’s permissible,” she said. “However, I understand if you don’t dare risk another of your advisors with Kira missing.”
“You’re an admirable fighter and you’re smart,” Trew said. “I want you on the team.”
A touch of color rose into her cheeks, and she dipped her head his way.
We spent the next hour selecting team members, discussing approach routes, and establishing fallback positions. Pherin dozed on my shoulder while Gavelle perched on the windowsill, watching everyone in the room.
We finished and his advisors left to continue the preparations for an early afternoon departure.
We’d fly until dawn, when we’d land in a secluded location Grayson had identified on the map.
There, we’d rest and finish our journey after dark, arriving close to Caldrith not long after midnight.
That would give us two days to rescue the prisoners.
We’d barely left the meeting room when Maddox called out behind us in the corridor. His companion, Treane, padded at his side as he joined us, the wolf-cat’s eyes tracking our every movement.
“Your Majesty.” Maddox bowed, his gaze finding mine. “Isi.”
We’d bled together during the Rite and fought Skathes side by side. Whatever lay between us was too complicated for true friendship, though his behavior at Silverstream during the Skathe attack had softened the edges of my rage.
“I heard you’re planning something important,” he said. “I want to help.”
The old Maddox would’ve demanded inclusion. He would’ve postured and insisted on his right to participate. This version stood with his hands loose at his sides, his body posture showing nothing but honesty.
“Why?” I asked.
His jaw worked. “Because I owe both of you.” His gaze shifted to Trew before landing on me.
“I tried to kill you in Mistvale. I poisoned your wine because I blamed you for Jaxon’s death.
” Pain flickered across his face. “But Jaxon died because he took a risk in the Rite. Not because of you. It took me time to see that, and I know I can’t make up for what I’ve done.
I can only try to do my best to show you I’m not that person any longer. ”
Treane pressed against Maddox’s leg, offering support. The wolf-cat’s gaze found mine, and I found judgment there, though I suspected it wasn’t for me but his bonded. Maddox had been weighed and found wanting, but his companion hadn’t abandoned him.
“I’ve spent the time since Silverstream trying to be better,” Maddox said.
“Training harder, thinking more carefully, learning to follow instead of just fight. Malcolm says I’ve improved.
Others say I’m ready for real responsibility.
” He swallowed hard. “Let me prove myself. I want to help with this mission.”
Trew grunted. “Give us a moment.”
We stepped away, leaving Maddox waiting in the corridor. Pherin stirred on my shoulder, leaning close to my neck.
Stinks like old anger, she said into my mind. But also new purpose. Confusing.
“Coralee’s reports support his claim,” Trew said once we’d found an empty room, stepped inside, and he’d warded it. “He’s changed. Become more disciplined, more thoughtful.”
I remembered how Maddox had volunteered to fight beside us at Silverstream. He’d put his body between villagers and beasts who’d drain them until nothing remained. That wasn’t the action of a man still nursing murderous grudges.
“His companion judges him worthy, per Gavelle,” Trew said.
“Pherin’s less convinced,” I said.
Hurt runs deep, she said. Trust takes time.
I understood that feeling intimately. Trust, once shattered, reformed slowly if it reformed at all.
“I say we let him in, but at the first sign of betrayal, we kill him,” I said to Trew. “No second chances.”
“Agreed.”
We returned to where Maddox waited, his expression carefully neutral though tension radiated from his frame. His companion watched us approach, the wolf-cat’s ears pricked forward.
“You can come with us,” Trew said. “But understand this. We don’t fully trust you. You’ll have to earn that.”
Relief flooded Maddox’s features, followed quickly by determination. “I will. I swear it.”
“Break that oath,” I said quietly, “and we’ll finish what you started in Mistvale. Except this time, I’ll be the one with the poison.”
His eyes met mine, unflinching. “Fair enough.”
His companion made a sound that might’ve been approval. She bumped against Maddox’s leg.
“We leave in three hours,” Trew told Maddox. “Meet us in the east wing supply closet in one hour to help prepare.”
“I will.” His gaze shot between us. “Does this involve Caldrith’s march on our court?”
“Not directly,” Trew said.
Maddox waited, but we weren’t saying anything else. With a grunt, he bowed again and strode away, his companion padding silently beside him.
I watched them go, too many emotions churning through my chest. People could change. The question was whether I could trust him even a bit.
“Hungry?” Trew asked.
My stomach answered with a growl.
“I’d say yes,” he said with a smile that made my heart flip over. “What would you like to eat, my lovely one?”
“That’s a question with multiple answers.”
His low laugh rang out. “Let’s take care of your belly. Sadly, there isn’t time to take care of anything else.”
“Unless we’re quick.”
Heat sparked in his eyes. “I can be quick.”
I grinned. “Show me after we eat.”
The dining hall buzzed when we arrived, though it was only about half filled with warriors.
Many had been called to the front already.
Those remaining sat at long tables, their conversations a low rumble mixing in with the clatter of trenchers.
Platters loaded with food floated through the air and pitchers tipped up, pouring the beverage of choice into mugs.
The scent of fresh bread and roasted meat made my mouth water.
Falling back into my usual habit, I started toward the table where I’d always sat during my time at Syllavar, the one on the left side where new warriors gathered. Old habits.
Trew’s hand on my elbow stopped me. “You’re sitting with me.”
I found him watching me with an expression that made butterflies flick low in my belly.
“There’s only one open seat,” I said, glancing at the high table on the dais. Kira’s usual place, on Trew’s right hand, remained empty. This was the position of highest honor after the king himself. I didn’t like the idea of sitting in her chair.
“I’m aware.”
“I’m not sure what I feel about sitting there.”
“Trust me.” He guided me up onto the dais, his hand warm and firm at the small of my back. Warriors turned to watch, conversation faltering as we climbed the steps.
Trew gestured to his throne, the king’s seat carved from dark wood and inlaid with gold. “Sit.”
“That’s your chair.”
“Whatever belongs to me belongs to you as well.” He said it loud enough for nearby tables to hear. “Sit, Minx.”
The casual use of my nickname made my breath snag in my throat.
But I sat.
Trew took Kira’s seat to my right, settling into it with a grin that said he was quite happy with the statement he was making. Gavelle flew up to land on the back of Kira’s chair while Pherin preened on my shoulder, her chest puffing with satisfaction.
Good perch, she announced. Highest. Best.
The hall erupted in shocked whispers, some sounding pleased, others speculative. I caught fragments of conversation:
“About time.”
“After everything she’s done for this court, she deserves this.”
“Kira won’t like this.”
Platters floated from the kitchen and settled on the table while trenchers skittered across the wooden surface to stop in front of us. Five pitchers floated close, all of them hovering near my mug, awaiting my selection.
After gesturing for wine, I grabbed a piece of bread and tore into it, past caring about proper etiquette.
Trew watched me eat with unconcealed amusement. “Hungry, Minx?”
“Shut up and pass the meat.”
His laugh drew more attention, more smiles from warriors who’d never seen their king so openly affectionate for anyone.
And I had to admit that I liked it.