Sir Matthias would find a way to protect Sapphire.
If Lord Bartley had to shield his eyes from Dracor’s light, he had already walked quite a distance down Rashalee’s dark path. Matthias wasn’t sure what the path to redemption was, but he would drag Lord Bartley before Thalia’s silver flame if necessary.
For Sapphire’s sake, but also for Lord Richard Bartley’s. Rashalee promised love, wealth, and belonging. She only delivered pain and loneliness.
Matthias touched a kiss to Sapphire’s temple and tucked the blankets around her. She smelled soft and sweet, and she’d welcome him back into bed.
It felt like he was wearing full plate armor filled with rocks as he stepped back from her and the siren’s song of her lush lips. But he wanted to spend the day with her, and there were a few things he needed to tend to first.
He hurried out of their room before temptation won.
Jogging down the stairs to grab a quick bite to eat, Sir Matthias grimaced at the mess left from the previous night’s ball. He wasn’t sure if the servants that were already tidying had gotten up this early or if they’d never gone to bed.
As he popped into the kitchen to grab food before heading to the temple, he caught sight of Sir Marcus already in uniform waiting for him. Sir Marcus handed Matthias a cup of coffee and several large pastries.
“Thought you’d be asleep still,” Matthias said.
“Could say the same of you. You seem to like married life.”
Matthias grinned. “Please tell me I’m not as hopeless as you are over Lady Brelynn.”
Sir Marcus crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Knights don’t lie.”
Matthias chuckled, and after devouring a pastry, he glanced towards the steps leading upstairs.
He didn’t want to further worry his friend, but he also wouldn’t keep secrets from him. Not when they were this important, and not when they could impact Sir Marcus and Lady Brelynn.
Matthias told Sir Marcus what had happened the previous night with Lord Bartley and that he’d already reported it.
“Took a lot of restraint not to kill him,” Sir Marcus said.
“It did, but it was the right thing to do. I’m still not certain if killing him would have served Dracor or Rashalee.”
Sir Marcus nodded. “It’ll be painful for Sapphire if the gossips get ahold of the information. Many are unhappy you married her without their consent.”
“You know a lot about that,” Matthias said. “How’d you handle it?”
“I’m still dealing with it.” Sir Marcus lifted his shoulders. “But Brelynn didn’t grow up here, so she never cared what Tamarian high society thought of her. And she has Mara, Aunt Matty, and Queen Auburn. Now she has Sapphire.”
“I’ll deal with the gossips in time. Right now, I need to keep her safe from her grandfather. I’m sure he’s behind Lord Bartley’s attack, but even if we get Bartley to talk, it’ll be his word against Lord Carsons’s.”
Sir Marcus grimaced. “Let’s talk to Uncle Leopold about that when we get to the Dragon Church. And we should get going.”
“What has you heading over so early?”
“Got a message from my uncle to get over there and bring you with me.”
Matthias paused. “How’s Lady Brelynn doing?”
“She’s glad it’s over and is asleep.”
“Didn’t you promise your aunt a huge event for the baby’s birth?”
Sir Marcus glanced at the stairs. “They’ve put a lot of planning into it already.”
“Talk to your aunt. She’s excited and wants you and your child to have your rightful places in Tamarian society, but she needs to ease back. You weren’t wrong about the magic spikes.”
Sir Marcus paled. “Is Brelynn okay?”
“They come when she’s worried or stressed. Those same emotions might cause her magic to increase, and I’m sensing a lot more magic from her.”
“Not sure if the child will be a sorcerer, or if she’s still coming into her magic after years of…”
Matthias punched Sir Marcus’s shoulder. “I know all about it. She’s a strong woman. Has to be to put up with you.”
Sir Marcus’s lopsided grin lit his face. “That she is. And I’m a lucky man to have her. Let’s see what Uncle Leopold wants, then we’ll get chocolates for the ladies. Brelynn likes chocolate.”
Matthias laughed and followed his friend out to the stables. The grooms already had their horses ready, and they were soon cantering through the quiet pre-dawn streets of Aerius.
They arrived quickly at the church, and after stabling their horses, they went to Dracor’s sanctuary, knelt, and prayed.
The power of Dracor filled Matthias, and he closed his eyes at the rush of divinity. He’d never get used to it or the belonging and purpose it gave him.
When he stood again, he turned to find Sir Leopold and Sir Freya standing in the doorway.
“We gotta talk,” Sir Leopold said. “Now. My office.”
Chapter 32
Matthias raised a brow, but he followed the two senior knights, and Sir Marcus trailed behind him. The stone of the temple clicked beneath their boots and echoed through the empty halls. The air felt holy, alight with a whisper of Dracor’s power.
Sir Matthias wondered if he should be afraid. It felt like being called to the headmaster’s office when he was young, but he’d deserved it then.
He drew in a deep breath. This was the Temple of Dracor, god of justice, and part of the Holy Trinity. He’d married Sapphire, and all of their interactions had been consensual. Everything he’d done was well within the dictates of the Dragon Church. Even his actions at his parents’ farm had all been cleared.
Sir Leopold ushered them all into his austere office, and Matthias lowered himself into a chair opposite Sir Leopold’s desk. It had to be one of the most uncomfortable pieces of furniture in the entire temple. Matthias smiled. Chosen purposely, he was sure, so that Sir Leopold’s visitors wouldn’t linger.
Sir Leopold stood opposite him, the older Knight clasping his hands behind his back. “Know why I’m calling you two here?”
Both Matthias and Sir Marcus shook their heads.
“Lord Richard Bartley was murdered last night a few blocks from Sir Marcus’s home,” Knight Freya said. “We understand there was an altercation at the ball.”
Sir Marcus frowned.
Matthias swallowed, knowing what Freya suspected. He’d also done enough interrogations. He knew how those worked, too. “I wouldn’t call it an altercation,” Sir Matthias said.
“Don’t even try to be charming. It won’t work.”
Matthias met High Knight Freya’s ice-blue eyes. She looked like a Valkyrie and had the reputation to match. “I didn’t kill Lord Bartley. I could not be certain killing him wouldn’t be revenge instead of justice, so I reported his actions to the Knights of Valor.”
“And when is killing someone justice, Sir Matthias?” she asked.
Matthias met her stare. “I channel Dracor’s light more for healing than fighting. That has given me a great appreciation for life. However, I killed a necromancer and his men when they threatened our city.”