We hadn’t even reached the village of Ashley yet. At this rate, we’d never make it back to Tyler.
“As long as they need to last,” Olivander answered. “Now shut up and be good.”
I drew in a short breath and ground my teeth. It had been years since I’d been a regular foot soldier. Playing one now made me itchy under the collar.
But if it helped speed this process along, I’d behave. Quilla was out there somewhere—at least, I hoped she was—and I had no idea what was happening to her. These unnecessary stops might drive me crazy, but I also refused to do anything that might stretch them out even longer, like start an annoying war with a neighboring kingdom.
A handful of our guards met with the first few guards leading the king’s caravan, then one of their men rode back to the carriage where Gill was no doubt riding. The curtain opened, and I watched the rider report to his king about the presence of another royal on the road, requesting a face-to-face.
I didn’t hear the king’s answer, but he snapped something impatient back to the knight, and the carriage moved into action, only to stop again a short moment later before Olivander’s hastily assembled campsite.
“Bjorn,” King Tomrick clipped out as he shoved the curtain open again. “It’s been a while.”
Olivander nodded regally as he approached. “It has, Your Majesty.” Then he swept out a hand, motioning to the table and food he had waiting. “It would be my great honor if you’d break from your travels with me and take a spot of refreshment while the rest of your crew stretches their legs before getting on the road again.”
The king’s mouth pinched thin, and his eyes narrowed with irritation. “I’m actually running a bit short on time,” he started hesitantly.
My eyebrows shot up into my hairline. Well. I guess the King of Lowden didn’t care so much about following the protocol for polite conduct between royals. Olivander glanced my way as if he could read my mind, and his gaze narrowed as if silently telling me to shut up. Then he turned back to the king.
“Certainly you could spare a minute, Your Majesty. We have the finest wine already set out for you.”
The king drew out a long sigh. “Fine. But I really must be on the road again soon.”
“Of course,” Olivander allowed gallantly as he bent a knee to kneel when the carriage door came open. “We wouldn’t think to delay you from your journey.”
I noticed he wasn’t the only one inside the small compartment as he descended the steps. But I barely caught a peek of a metal armored knee before the door slammed shut behind the king.
“Rise,” Tomrick told Olivander as he strode by, heading directly toward the table of refreshments. He seated himself and immediately reached for the jug of wine. “I am parched beyond reasoning,” he announced after taking a long swig directly from the container. “It’s been quite a week.”
“Then I’m pleased we were able to provide you with drink.” Olivander shook his head and lifted a hand to decline when the king offered him the jug next for a sip. “Have you been traveling long?”
“Just returning home from Tyler,” the king answered distractedly, his gaze returning to the carriage.
“Tyler?” Olivander repeated in surprise, his gaze meeting mine. “What was your reason to visit Tyler?”
Tomrick sent him an annoyed glance before snapping, “It was a private matter.”
“Indeed.” Sufficiently put in his place, Olivander sat back. “Apologies, Your Majesty,” he added. “I didn’t mean to meddle.”
The king lifted a forgiving hand, even as he said, “Just see that you don’t do it again.”
“Of course.” Olivander followed Tomrick’s intent gaze back to his carriage before discreetly clearing his throat. “Did you wish to invite your guest to join us?” he finally asked.
“What?” The king zipped him a startled glance, his eyes flashing with worry. Then he shook his head and quickly answered, “No! Definitely not. It’s not my guest anyway. Just my, er, personal bodyguard.”
Olivander blinked in confusion and slid his gaze questioningly my way. Because if the soldier who had remained inside the carriage was truly the king’s personal bodyguard, then why the hell wasn’t he out here, personally guarding his ruler’s body?
I gave a slight shake of my head to the prince, agreeing that the situation felt beyond odd to me too. Then I scrutinized the man sitting across from him at the table. I’d never met him before, but he resembled every other Gill family member I’d ever crossed paths with before, short of frame, slight of stature, thinner, feminine shoulders and pale blond hair that spiked up around his squared face. My attention drifted over his clothing, only to stop cold when it landed on the pendant he wore on a leather string around his neck.
Motherfucker. I knew that pendant.
“Nice amulet you have there,” I said, unable to help myself. But seriously, how the hell had the King of Lowden gotten his hands on one of the transference amulets?
My mind began to spin. I needed that jewel. Whenever I found Quilla and got her to safety, I’d need it for myself to go to Earth with her.
Because I was going to find her, and then I was going to get her to claim me as her mate, and after that, I was going to follow her wherever she went.
The king shot me a surprised glance. “Thank you,” he answered, lifting his hand to the amber pendant before glancing at Olivander and asking, “Who is this soldier, and why is he talking to me?”
The warning glare Vander launched my way told me he was probably going to strangle me the first moment we were alone.
“Your Majesty,” he started, his voice strained. “This is a close, personal friend of mine. May I introduce Indigo of House Moast?”
“Moast?” King Tomrick quirked up a curious eyebrow. “Any relation to the married couple who served as dignitaries in Lowden during the—what was it—” Frowning, he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “The tenth reaping, I think it was.”
My jaw tightened as my teeth clenched. “My parents,” I managed to answer.
Both eyebrows lifted at this. The king ran his gaze over me. I had no idea what thoughts ran through his head, but they didn’t seem very complimentary.
“So sorry to hear about their deaths,” he finally murmured.
I nodded, not feeling his sincerity at all. “Thank you.”
From the carriage, a racket of scuffling and moaning and some kind of slurred, indecipherable words rose. Olivander and I both straightened, frowning that way.
“Uh…” Vander slid a curious glance toward Tomrick. “Do you need to check on that?”
“No.” The king stared stonily ahead, not even bothering to glance back at the carriage. “My bodyguard lost his tongue in the Great Lowden War. Sliced out by a filthy Graykey.” He spat on the ground when he said that part before adding, “He hasn’t been quite right in the head since.”
“Yet you continue to keep him on as a guard?” Olivander asked, his dismay more than evident.
The king twitched his lips in a tense smile. “In name only. Wasn’t like I could just put him down, now could I? He was always such a loyal servant before his unfortunate fate befell him.”