28. Unwavering
~ MELEK ~
As we stepped into the adjoining corridor and Yilan passed from sight, my body tensed.
God, it was so hard to walk away from her.
But it was time… time to begin addressing the clusterfuck of tragedy and danger we were faced with. And she led the way. From the moment she stepped into that hallway at the bottom of the stairs she’d faced masculine disbelief and challenge.
She had not wavered.
I had swelled with pride watching her stare down Turo. I wanted to applaud when she refused to rise to the bait, and was equally gratified when she trusted me enough to allow me to walk away and fight my own battles.
That medallion bounced at my chest with each step, and even though I knew she’d given it to me as a shield, it felt more like a talisman. Her goodwill and trust going with me.
It was clear I would need it. At least for these first couple of days.
As I walked and Turo prowled the Palace next to me, I prayed God would bring me situations quickly and continually to allow me to show care, wisdom, and restraint.
Particularly with servants and those of lower birth.
Because I knew, there was no faster way to gain the loyalty of any person, than to treat with respect those who shared their life.
Any servant receiving grace and patience, any low-born citizen seeing one of their peers valued by someone in power…
the impact was immediate, and word spread quickly.
Of course, I also prayed that my frazzled nerves and overwhelmed mind would allow me to make the most of those opportunities when they arose.
And that fucking Turo would soon see that I was not the enemy he imagined.
Then we could… well, if not become allies, at least form some kind of effective treaty.
The man’s bristling attendance made my asshole clench in commiseration for his bowels and the size of the stick that invaded them.
The way he’d utterly refused to see Yilan’s conviction and spoken down to her...
I clenched my teeth harder and reminded myself I’d just been praying for patience and restraint. It wouldn’t help her if I were to give in to the impulse to smack her General.
Twenty minutes later I was convinced it would take an act of God to keep my hands off him.
As we walked the halls, Turo and his Sargeant leading me to Gall, who was apparently housed outside the palace grounds proper, every pair of eyes we passed landed on me and widened.
Every head turned to whisper to their neighbor.
Despite my armed escorts, some even fled.
But for each with the courage to meet my gaze and stand and watch, I offered a polite nod and an air of quiet assurance.
Turo did not assist me in maintaining my peace. The fucker growled and muttered every step, until the skin on the back of my neck was crawling, and I wanted to snap my teeth at him.
Yet, I knew, the way to true leadership was to evoke security for others.
And the quickest path to the security of the people was to possess confidence, the kind of presence that offered an unwavering sense that no matter what was to come, I could deal with it and keep them safe.
To silently but consistently assure them, I am here with a purpose.
I will achieve that purpose. And that purpose will benefit you.
As we exited the Palace and started across the grounds, Turo hissed orders to a couple young runners who’d been called in to carry messages for him. Both boys were tall and lanky and hadn’t yet grown their first facial hair.
They watched me warily and cowered when I moved.
But I smiled at them, winking at the one when he was so taken aback, he stumbled on a rock alongside the path .
Turo shot me a dark glare, but continued muttering his message before sending the boy off.
I almost bared my teeth.
I could take the man hand-to-hand, of that I was certain. I also knew that if I were to do so, it would devastate Yilan. He didn’t know how lucky he was that I adored my mate more than I adored the idea of kicking his ass.
A small voice in the back of my head whispered that I could imagine how I would feel if my mortal enemy appeared and was immediately ushered to the inner sanctum by a ruler of the opposite sex. Even if she weren’t my betrothed… I could understand his apprehension.
Grumbling under my breath, I resolved to have compassion on the man.
As long as the fucker didn’t lay another finger on Yilan against her will.
Turning my mind from those tensions, I let myself enjoy the green, lush landscape of the grounds here.
It took nearly half an hour to get to the cottage where these men told me I would find Gall.
There were a few whispered conversations and pointed looks as we broke through the trees and into a clearing that surrounded a sweet cottage that I was sure would cause a crick in Gall’s neck with low ceilings. I doubted I’d be able to get through the door without ducking and twisting.
But one of the guards ran ahead and disappeared inside. A few moments later, while we were still crossing the meadow outside the cottage, the door opened again and a handsome, mature woman strode out.
Given the lithe, elegant forms of the Fetch, I was surprised by her rather stout stature and shoulders almost as broad as Turo’s.
But she smiled when she saw me, which was a surprise.
And though she returned Turo’s greeting, it was me she hurried to meet, offering a hand to shake, as a man would, and saying my name with a familiarity that told me it wasn’t the first time she’d spoken it.
Of course. Gall had spoken of me.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Melek,” she said, her voice warm, but brisk. “My name is Harris. I’m Princess Istral’s caregiver and companion. And I’ve had opportunity to spend a great deal of time with Gall. ”
She reminded me of the human nurses in Valgorath. The kind of women who offered capable, tender care, but would slap your ear if you didn’t listen.
“Yilan told me. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harris. How is he?” I asked quickly.
“He is very well… mostly.”
My senses prickled. “Does he know I’m here?”
She winced and took my elbow, drawing me slightly away from the others.
“Melek… Gall is thriving. Physically,” she said quietly once we were far enough away from the others that her murmured words wouldn’t be heard.
“Only physically?”
Her lips pressed thin. “It is clear that something causes him agitation. Fear, I think. Some anger. He struggles at times and grows tense. Broody.”
I sighed. “Unfortunately, he believes I lied to him, and that’s caused some tension—”
She shook her head. “He has mentioned that, and it weighs on him. But he will forgive you, I’m certain,” she said, waving off that concern. “I am more concerned that something prior to his arrival here is causing him some… anxiety.”
Killing your birth father will do that.
I nodded, but didn’t elaborate. If Gall hadn’t told her, I wouldn’t share his secrets. “Has he been aggressive?” I asked grimly, knowing Yilan had said he was here with two women who wouldn’t have the strength to slow him, let alone hold him back if he became violent.
Harris shook her head. “No. And I don’t believe he would—not with us.
However… I worry that if he sees you without warning, he may not react well.
He’s been quite tense since the Queen told him you were here.
I’ve encouraged him to speak with you when he gets the chance, but so far he’s been quite firm that he doesn’t want to,” she added apologetically.
Ah. I took a deep breath, scratching where my beard was beginning to come in because I hadn’t shaved in days.
There was no question that I’d speak with Gall.
But I wouldn’t allow the confrontation to put anyone else in danger.
Gall hated conflict and would avoid it at all costs.
But when his agitation or fear became overwhelming, he’d lash out just to get space—or in defense of others whether they needed defending or not .
I knew I could handle him for myself. But I didn’t want to put others at risk.
“Is there anywhere here that we might talk out of sight? Anywhere… unrestricted?” I said, eyeing that small cottage and imagining how easy it would be to accidentally damage such a contained space.
“Yes.” Harris relayed instructions on how to find the side-gate and which trail to follow around the cottage. “…if you don’t mind me saying, Melek… I enjoy Gall a great deal. You’ve done very well with him,” she said kindly.
I blinked. “Well, thank you,” I said, surprised.
She nodded, then stepped aside, gesturing towards the path. “I’ll go speak with him and tell him you’re here. Just give us a few minutes. If you find the pond, there’s a large tree shading it. He seems to like that spot. And you’ll have, er, space there.”
I nodded and turned to do as she’d suggested. But when Turo and the others started after me, I shot him a look over my shoulder.
“Spread out to watch from a distance if you must, but do not interfere. Our ways are not your ways. My son has had a difficult time, and may need to… engage with me for a time. I will make certain he doesn’t hurt anyone else.”
Turo frowned, but after a hesitation, he jerked his chin to the others, and they spread out and disappeared into the trees.