24 BENEATH THE MASK #2
Alar moved to the fireplace and took a brick of peat from a basket before adding it to the glowing embers. Moments later, it started to smoke. However, he pretended to study it so that he didn’t have to meet Lara’s eye.
Many things about his wife unsettled him.
The way she’d made the fire flare on their wedding night was one.
And now he’d just learned she had seer’s abilities.
There was far more to this woman than met the eye—which made her dangerous.
“Do you think there’s another Shee spy under this roof? ” he asked after a pause.
Lara winced. “I hope not … or Mor will already know that we plan to strike soon.”
“You should discuss this dream with your chief-seer.” Alar straightened up and turned back to her. “He will, no doubt, have ways of assessing your household.”
She nodded. “Aye … you’re right. I will see what Ruari has to say.” She drew her shawl tighter around her then. “Either way, it’s a warning … one I shouldn’t ignore.”
“No,” he replied softly. “You shouldn’t.”
“My Queen,” a male voice traveled into the alcove, slightly muffled by the heavy curtain that blocked the entrance. “A missive has come for you … from Braewall.”
Alar stiffened. He recognized Captain mac Tav’s voice.
The captain had come upstairs to deliver the message himself.
His gaze flicked to his wife. Lara wore a startled expression.
Dressed in nothing but a thin tunic and shawl, she wasn’t in a fit state to receive visitors.
So, nodding to her, Alar crossed to the curtain and pushed through it.
As expected, Roth stood on the other side. The captain’s jaw tensed at the sight of him, his eyes narrowing when Alar held out his hand for the scroll.
“This is addressed to the High Queen,” Roth growled. “Not you.”
“And I’ll see she gets it.”
The captain hesitated, dislike simmering. Ever since his arrival at Duncrag, Alar had often caught the captain watching him. Like the chief-enforcer, he was protective of their High Queen. Almost too protective. Alar wondered if his feelings for Lara ran deeper than just loyalty.
“Give it to him, Roth,” Lara called.
Lips compressing, Roth shoved the scroll into Alar’s hand. He then turned, crossed the landing, and descended the narrow stairs. Alar watched him go before retreating inside the alcove.
Lara was waiting for him.
He handed the missive to her, and their hands accidentally brushed.
Warmth shivered up his arm. Dropping his hand to his side, he flexed his fingers and hoped she hadn’t noticed.
Fortunately, Lara was focused on the scroll. She broke the wax seal, which bore the sigil of the leaping stag. Indeed, this had come from the overking himself. She read the letter, her gaze narrowing as the moments drew out.
Alar didn’t interrupt her, although as he watched her eyes harden, it was clear the news wasn’t good. “The bastards ,” she eventually rasped. “I was wondering why Braewall and Baldeen hadn’t yet sent the warriors and weapons they promised. Now, I know why.”
Alar raised his eyebrows. “What is it?”
Her gaze snapped to his. “This letter is from both my overkings … signed by Artair and Niall. They’ve annexed themselves from me … and declared themselves separate kingdoms.”
Alar went still.
“The Gods damn them, this is all I need.” She held the parchment up to the light once more.
He marked the slight tremble in her hands as she began to read it out to him.
“In light of our High Queen’s decision to wed the Half-blood, a notorious outlaw, the territories of Braewall and Baldeen cannot continue to be associated with Duncrag.
Henceforth, the new Kingdom of Braewall will extend along the entire southern coast, extending up to Farnoch.
The new kingdom of Baldeen will encompass Dorne Forest and stretch as far south as Dunharra Barrow, and as far east as Golval Barrow.
Any attempt to cross our boundaries without invitation or to issue orders of any kind will be seen as an act of war.
” She broke off then, her chest rising and falling sharply. “What answer do you have to that?”
Silence followed before he responded, “It’s high treason.”
Her mouth twisted. “Aye.” Lara hurled the missive onto the table next to her. “They’d never have dared do this to my father.”
Alar didn’t answer. She was right, of course. Nonetheless, it was just her anger talking. They both knew she didn’t want people to obey her out of fear, but respect.
But Alar wasn’t so decent.
For a wild instant, he hungered to teach both those fuckers a lesson.
The urge to take his wulvers to Braewall, batter down its gates, and bring King Niall’s head back to Lara on a pike, crashed over him.
He’d then make for Baldeen and give King Artair the same treatment.
A heartbeat later though, he reined the impulse in. He’d do no such thing.
Instead, he stepped closer to his wife. “You will respond, of course?”
Her chin kicked up, and their gazes met.
He’d deliberately challenged her, and he liked the way she stared back at him.
He marked then how her pupils dilated. Their proximity affected her as much as it did him.
Her shawl had fallen away, and her delicious body and high, firm breasts were clearly visible through the fine weave of her tunic.
The garment only reached mid-thigh, revealing her slender, pale legs.
Alar couldn’t help but stare at her—despite that he too was reeling from these tidings—for she was regal, lovely.
“This is a blow … as I was counting on their resources,” she replied huskily.
“But my reckoning with Braewall and Baldeen will have to wait until I’ve dealt with the Shee. ”
“You’re right … The Uplands must be taken back.”
“Aye.” A muscle flexed in her jaw then, and she clenched her hands at her sides. Behind her, the flames in the hearth guttered, and Alar’s breathing grew shallow. There it is again . However, Lara was too incensed to notice what she’d just done. “But rest assured, I will make them pay.”
“Write back to your overkings this morning,” he answered, his tone sharpening.
“Inform them that you refuse to acknowledge their annexation.” He moved closer still, inhaling the scent of lavender and sweet woman.
“And then, once you’ve knocked the Raven Queen off her perch, turn your rage upon The Wolds.
” Lara’s jaw flexed, and the fire in the hearth started to roar then, sparks flying.
“Make those two wish they’d never crossed you. ”