Murderous impulses also pervade my senses. Whether or not Amelia informs me of the old lord’s name, I will find him, and I will kill him. Slowly. Painfully. I’ll make him regret being born.
“Amelia?” I prompt. “His name. Please.”
Her eyes widen. “Are you… serious? Do you truly intend to bring me his head?” She readjusts the blanket around her shoulders and emits a soft sigh, and I’m pleased that she’s no longer in the throes of panic.
“Of course I intend to bring you his head. He hurt you, and surely he deserves to die.”
“I’m not certain what to say, and I’m also not certain how I feel about you killing him and presenting me with his head.” She exhales a deep, shuddering breath. “Don’t get me wrong. I have no desire to protect him, and maybe he does deserve to die, but shouldn’t we leave his fate up to the gods?”
“Some things should be left to fate,” I say as I once again wonder if she’s the female the gods have marked as mine, “but I don’t believe punishment for wicked deeds should be left to fate. I’m perfectly capable and willing to mete out justice on your behalf." Not only that, but I consider it my sacred duty to avenge the wrongs that were committed against her.
Gods, she’s not my mate—yet, my mind whispers—but I’m already acting like she is.
She opens her mouth and appears ready to speak, only to press her lips together and give her head a slight shake. “I can’t. I can’t just give you his name and allow you to kill him. No matter how wicked he might be. No matter how much he hurt me. It feels wrong to speak a name, any name, and know that it’ll result in that person’s death.”
“I know he lives on the outskirts of Sorsston,” I tell her.
She gives me a skeptical look. “What are you going to do? Fly all the way to Sorsston and start knocking on doors?”
“I might.” I consider her family members that live in Sorsston. Her parents, as well as her four older sisters, all of whom are happily married, at least according to what she told Prince Lucas. Yet she fled the Sorsston area, and she traveled all the way to Glenville on foot, an impressive feat for a tiny human female. “Why didn’t you ask your parents or sisters for help, Amelia?” I ask gently. “Or did they refuse to hide you from your husband?”
A shadow crosses her face. “My father pretty much sold me to Lord Nev… uh, to the old lord. I overheard them talking about the payment on my wedding day, though my mother denied itwhen I asked her about it. It’s possible she didn’t know. I would like to think she didn’t know. Anyway, as a result, I couldn’t return to my parents’ house.”
“What about your sisters? Wouldn’t any of them provide you refuge?”
Her eyes dim, and she shakes her head. “Their husbands would never allow it. None of them would dare to defy Lord Nevel. He’s one of the wealthiest lords in the area, and he also employs many soldiers.” She sighs. “Even if I thought one of my sisters’ husbands would agree to grant me refuge, I wouldn’t want to put them in danger like that. Oh, gods, I just realized I accidentally spoke the old lord’s name.”
“You did, and I appreciate it. It’ll save me from knocking on doors.” I offer her what I hope is a comforting look. “I’m sorry you couldn’t seek help from any of your family members, sweet human.”
“Thank you.” She frowns. “My father is probably livid with me, but my mother and sisters are likely worried sick. I’m sure they know I’ve disappeared by now. Lord Nevel’s soldiers probably questioned them and searched their homes, which I feel terrible about.”
“Would you like to send your mother and sisters a letter?” I ask before I can think better of it. Gods, am I actually offering to permit my little war prize to write a letter to her family?
Her head shoots up. “Really? You would allow me to write to them?”
I give a cautious nod. “Yes, but there would be conditions.”
“Conditions? Like not revealing the location of the Summer Court army?” For a split second, her eyes glint with mischief.
“Exactly.”
Movement and shadows outside the tent catch my notice, and I suspect a commander is trying to get my attention. I rise to my feet and cast a glance at the closed tent flap.
“Are you leaving?” There’s a note of alarm in Amelia’s voice. “Is-is there going to be another battle? Are you going to conquer another human town?”
I turn to face her, and I strive to gentle my expression. “I must leave you alone for a little while and confer with my commanders. It’s possible there will be another battle soon. There always is. Unfortunately, orcs and humans keep attacking our new settlements.”
“I see.” She regards me with a questioning look. “What about a treaty? Have you ever considered making a peace treaty with human and orc territories?”
“I’m a general, not a royal. Besides, there are four fae courts, and a treaty with human and orc territories would likely require the agreement of the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter courts. I doubt it would ever happen, particularly when the courts are changing and ussha is spreading so rapidly across the realm.” I consider my next words carefully. “Our priestesses tell us that we’re on the verge of a new age. An age of total fae rule across the known realm. They say it’s inevitable, and they say we must continue fighting those who attack our settlements. They say we must fight and see the prophecy fulfilled.” I briefly glance over my shoulder as the shadows near the tent flap shift again, then return my attention to the pretty little female.
“Total fae rule,” she whispers as she grows pale. “I see.” Her shoulders slump a bit, and her expression becomes troubled.
Regret wells inside me. I long to stay and comfort her, but I really must see what the commanders want. No one else in the army would dare to bother my warded tent. They might have news about another attack on a fae settlement.
I tell myself that Amelia will be safe inside my tent, and I will speak with her later and offer her reassurance. Life as she knows it in the human territories might be ending, but she’ll always be safe. I will protect her from any danger.
“I will return as soon as I can, sweet human.” I gesture at the large desk that’s pushed against the far wall. “You may sit there and write letters to your family members if you wish. There is plenty of paper, ink, and quills. Please help yourself.”
