“Let’s go easy, Erril,” she suggested when their eyes met.
The man apparently understood that it was because of his idea of racing that they fell into a trap because instead of responding in his usual nonchalant manner he nodded wordlessly.
This wasn’t enough for Ashared, however, and when Lannahi took her seat, their sleigh was surrounded by the shifter guardsmen. Seeing her inquiring gaze, the brown wolf merely wagged his tail, after which he and three of his companions turned and moved forward in a row making it impossible for them to pass. The gesture was so telling that it needed no further explanation.
You follow us.
Souhi gave her a sidelong glance as if she wasn’t sure if such behavior should be tolerated, but when Lannahi responded with a calm, “Let’s go,” she enchanted the sleigh, adjusting to the pace imposed by the wolves. Erril did the same with his sleigh.
At first, the wolves walked slowly, listening carefully to their surroundings. Only once they were satisfied, did they pick up their pace. It allowed them to reach Goldfrost before the sun, which shone only for a few hours in the winter, disappeared from the sky, leaving Southerners in darkness for the rest of the day.
“Captain, please wait,” Lannahi said when the wolves slowed down again near the forest exit.
Ashared halted and Souhi stopped the sleigh a few steps ahead of him.
Lannahi tossed aside her blanket and stood. She forced herself not to look away from the brown wolf and said, “I acted carelessly today. It was not my intention to leave you and the other guards behind. I know that a moment of pleasure is a poor excuse, but I hope you will recognize my sincerity and accept my apology.” She looked around. The sky was already turning gray and she couldn’t clearly see the eyes of the guardsmen surrounding the sleigh, but she didn’t omit any of them. “I apologize to you all.”
Lannahi didn’t have to look at the enchanters’ faces to know that they were just as puzzled as the wolves. Fae rarely apologized, and Rulers almost never did. Did one not become a Ruler to fulfill one’s whims? True, she’d put herself at risk, but if she’d felt like racing, why wouldn’t she? In the end, she’d come out of it unscathed. There was no need to humble herself before her subjects.
But there was a saying:An apology hurts less than a knife in the back.
Lannahi did not come to the South on a whim. She did not desire power. She did not want to fight.
She was looking for allies.
Her gaze returned to Ashared’s bright eyes. They regarded each other for a moment.
We returned safely, he said finally. The gruff sounds that came out of his throat didn’t sound overly friendly, but they weren’t growls either.Let’s focus on that.
Ashared must have realized that even if all the guards had been with Lannahi when Amaruk and his wolves appeared, their situation would not necessarily have been better because his words didn’t soundentirelylike an accusation andcouldbe read as a sign of forgiveness. However, when he turned around and took up the march toward Goldfrost, letting her know that the conversation was over, Lannahi knew that his anger wouldn’t cool down so quickly. She left him behind. An apology might have been enough compensation for a proud fae, but not necessarily for a proud man.
“Let’s go,” she said to Souhi, sitting down again.
It was still a few hours until therealnight, but Lannahi was dreaming of taking a hot bath and the comforts of her bed.
Why not, she thought, looking bleakly at the dark gray sky.
After all, it was her day of respite. Why shouldn’t she laze around?
Her plan was ruined by a letter that arrived at the palace via the evening Post Trail.
Sweet Lannahi,
Let me congratulate you. You are a woman who not only can arouse interest but also inspires. I knew you were special from the beginning, but now you have surpassed my wildest expectations… and embarrassed me in the process. I wanted to give you a diadem, but what would it be compared to the crown you won with your own delicate hands? You gave me food for reflection, Lannahi. I hope that when we meet again, you will consider me a man worthy of you.
N
When her hand began to tremble, Lannahi clenched her fingers into a fist, crumpling the letter. She suspected its author had used an enchanted pen to disguise his handwriting, but she had no doubts about the sender’s identity. There was only one man who wanted to give her a diadem and who was arrogant enough to treat his own mistake as a source of amusement.
Nihhal.
You gave me food for reflection, Lannahi.
That was the news she feared.
Chapter 16
Blood mixes with blood
