He paused, met her gaze, and shook his head. “All right. We want to know why Sir Marcus is out here, in the middle of nowhere, when we thought he’d have either destroyed you or delivered you to King Eli by now.”
“Things took longer.”
“I see that. There was also no mention of a vampire lord in any of Arch-Mage Ndrek’s briefings.”
Brelynn lifted her shoulders. “Perhaps Arch-Mage Ndrek forgot to mention it.”
“We were very surprised when we received Sir Marcus’s message saying he was out here, and even more surprised that he’d found a corrupt Knight. Especially as there is no Knight Silas.”
“I was right,” Brelynn said.
“About what?”
“That Silas isn’t a Knight of Valor.”
“Anything else you were right about?” Matthias asked.
“Nothing Sir Marcus won’t tell you.”
Sir Matthias let out a slow breath. “Not going to help me, are you?”
“No.”
“I don’t know what to think.” Sir Matthias spread his hands across the table. “When word came back about a corrupt Knight that didn’t exist, we were concerned you might have figured out a way to ensorcel Sir Marcus.”
Brelynn rolled her eyes. “If I could ensorcel him, I’d have a lot better things to do than make up a story about a nonexistent Knight.”
“Unless you were an Oskelesian spy trying to undermine the Knights of Valor.” Matthias held up his hands in a show of peace. “But that’s not what happened. Still, there’s a lot of questions as to why Sir Marcus is out here, and King Eli would prefer there weren’t.”
“Sir Marcus isn’t a prisoner, is he? He can go where he likes, can’t he?”
“Of course.”
“Then why would it matter what he was doing when he found the burned village?” Brelynn asked.
“Burned village?”
“It’s what led us to Silas. Sir Marcus will explain.”
“He will eventually, but I was hoping you’d make it easier.”
Brelynn’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the Knight of Valor. “You thought you’d charm me into telling you things Sir Marcus might not want you to know?”
“You could look at it that way. Or you could look at it like you were helping us cut through all his rhetoric about duty.”
“It’s not rhetoric, not to him,” Brelynn said.
“That’s true.”
“Do you believe in the rhetoric?” Brelynn asked.
“Most of it,” Sir Matthias answered.
“Only most of it?”
“Knights don’t lie.”
Brelynn accepted that and sat back down at the table. “What happens now that the Tribunal is here?”
Sir Matthias grimaced. “A lot of unpleasant stuff. We verify Sir Marcus’s testimony, talk to the villagers, and let Silas tell his side.”
“And then?”
“Then we do what we can to make it right. To the villagers here, to the kin of those that died in Three Rivers, and to anyone else affected.”
“And Silas?”
“If we find him guilty…” Sir Matthias winced. “The only acceptable sentence is public execution.”
“I hope Sir Marcus is a long way from here by then.”
“Me, too.” Sir Matthias leaned forward and gave Brelynn a soft smile. “You care about Sir Marcus, don’t you?”
Brelynn blushed and pushed away from the table. “What’s it to you who I care about?”
“Why does it bother you that you like him? He is the Great Lich Slayer.”
“You sure you’re a Knight of Valor? You don’t act like one.”
“Why don’t you think I act like a Knight?” Sir Matthias raised his brows. “Because I suspect you have feelings for a living legend?”
“I’m done talking about this.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“Go to the seven hells.” Brelynn stood, and Sir Matthias caught her hand.
She shot fire into his fingers.
He yelped as he yanked his hand back and shook it. “I deserved that.”
She glared at him. “Anything else?”
“Does Sir Marcus know you love him?”
Brelynn conjured a ball of fire that danced in her hand and reflected in her eyes. “Are you going to drop this? You’re not immune to magic.”
“You figured that out about Sir Marcus.” Sir Matthias raised his hands in surrender. “Wish it were true for all members of our Order.”
“That’s another trait you don’t share with Sir Marcus.”
“If you compare me to Sir Marcus, you’ll be disappointed. He’s the ideal Knights of Valor. I’m more like the cook.”
“What in the seven hells does that mean?” Brelynn asked.
“Marcus is what every other Knight wishes he was.”
“Then none of them know him.”
“Everyone knows him and loves him,” Sir Matthias said.
Brelynn snorted. “You love the image you’ve created. If you knew him, you wouldn’t want to be him. To have seen what he has. To have given up all that he has.”
“I’d like to have someone like you in l-” Sir Matthias caught himself. “On my side in a fight.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to charm me again?”
“Knights don’t lie. We can be charming to get you to answer our questions, but we don’t lie.”
“Your church should be on Sir Marcus’s side so I don’t have to be.” Brelynn folded her arms over her chest.
Sir Matthias frowned. “We are.”
“Sounds to me like you were parading him around like a show pony rather than being on his side.”
“You want the truth?” Sir Matthias asked.
“I thought Knights didn’t lie.”
Sir Matthias grinned. “I became a Knight to help people, and so far, every mission they’ve given me has met that goal. I can’t believe they’d do less for Sir Marcus.”
“They have more to lose with Sir Marcus.”
Sir Matthias’s frown deepened.
“I don’t understand your church’s politics, but even I know what a black eye it would be for them if their Lich Slayer, their embodiment of the Dragon God, were killed.” Brelynn’s voice dropped to a whisper. “But they honed him into a brilliant weapon to kill that lich, and brilliant weapons, by their nature, are not content to grow rust.”
“You think they should keep sending him on missions?”
“No,” Brelynn said too quickly. “He deserves to retire, needs to retire, but he doesn’t know how, and your church isn’t helping him.”
“Sir Leopold is on the Dragon Council. He wouldn’t let them do anything that would hurt Sir Marcus.”
“Not purposely, but sometimes actions have unintended consequences.”
“Like finding Three Rivers?” Sir Matthias asked.
“Silas would rather he hadn’t.”
“No tricks, not being charming.” Sir Matthias stared her in the eye. “Will you tell me why the two of you are traipsing through the backwoods of Tamryn playing hide and seek with a vampire lord?”
“No.”
“You’re not making this easy.”
“Good.”
Sir Matthias leaned forward. “I will figure it out. If you tell me now, I might find a way to keep your name out of the story. Would be better for you with King Eli if I did.”
Brelynn leaned forward until their faces were inches apart. “I don’t care what you say about me, Knight. I won’t betray Sir Marcus.”
Sir Matthias grinned and sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re a lot tougher than you look.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Not sure it was.”
Chapter 42
Marcus watched Brelynn and Sir Matthias sitting together at the kitchen table talking and smiling.
Of course she liked Sir Matthias. Everyone liked Sir Matthias. But it bothered Marc
us that they already looked like close friends.
Sir Matthias leaned in toward her, and Brelynn leaned in closer yet. Marcus couldn’t make out her words, but jealousy roared, hard and angry, clouding his vision for a moment.
Marcus’s hand was on his sword hilt when he caught himself.
What was wrong with him? Sir Matthias was a fellow Knight, a man bound by the same oaths and code he was. Brelynn was safe with him, and Marcus should be happy that she was getting along so well with another Knight of Valor, especially after Silas and her general distrust of the Knights.
So why did seeing her enjoy Sir Matthias’s company upset him rather than comfort him? Why did it suddenly make Sir Matthias feel like the enemy?
He knew Sir Matthias, liked him, and trusted the other Knight with his life.
Marcus still wanted to punch him.
Swallowing hard, Marcus closed his eyes and steadied his breathing. What was wrong with him? He was Brelynn’s protector, there to get her to Aerius and nothing more. Even as he reminded himself of that, he remembered the feel of her warm and soft in his arms, the taste of her on his lips, and the scent of lilacs that clung to her.
He had no right to want her, no right to pray to the Twins that she wasn’t asking Sir Matthias to help her be a less desirable sacrifice.
Sir Matthias would be good to her and treat her well. Once they got to Aerius, Brelynn would have a plethora of suitors, none of whom Marcus trusted as much as Sir Matthias.
But the logical arguments did nothing to ease the lump in his throat.
Marcus swallowed the bitter taste salting his tongue.
He had to control his reactions. To unify body, mind, and soul back under the straight and narrow path of the Knights’ code.
But he had no idea how.
He thought again of Raymond and Gmina. While Marcus wouldn’t betray the Knights of Valor or his vows, he was starting to understand the temptation Raymond faced.
Brelynn glanced up and saw Sir Marcus in the doorway. “I was wondering when you would rescue me.”
Marcus glared at Sir Matthias. “Has he done something?”
Sir Matthias held up his hands. “I haven’t done anything other than what Sir Leopold asked me to do.”
“Your uncle thinks I lured you out here for some nefarious reason or another.”
Marcus frowned. “Why would he think that?”
“I don’t know,” Sir Matthias said as Brelynn walked over to Marcus, and Marcus wrapped a protective arm around her.
“You figure out the sleeping arrangements?” Brelynn asked.
“We’ll take the room you set up,” Marcus said. “Uncle Leopold has the hall, and Sir Gregor and Sir Matthias have the adjoining room.”
“Until tomorrow.” Sir Matthias lifted his glass to her and smiled.
Brelynn’s eyes narrowed, but she said nothing as they left Sir Matthias alone with his speculations.
“You sure he was behaving?” Marcus asked as he followed her upstairs.
“He was trying to wheedle information out of me. He didn’t think I’d see through his ‘I wanna be your friend’ nonsense.”
“What did he want to know?”
“Doesn’t matter. I didn’t tell him anything.” Brelynn lay down on the bed.
Marcus smiled as he lay down beside her, pulled her close, and wrapped his arms around her.
Chapter 43
Marcus awoke the next morning to the steady thrum of rain and found himself on his side with his arm draped over Brelynn. She was snuggled up against him, still sound asleep. His cheeks colored at his body’s response to her closeness, and he extricated himself without waking her.
Thick raindrops pelted the windows and rolled off the roof, the steady patter drumming a relaxing beat.
Marcus sucked in a breath as the cold lead in his stomach warned him, as it had so many times before, that trouble was coming.
It was possible one of Silas’s associates would try to free him. Or try to kill him.
Calmont may have sent another group of mercenaries after Brelynn, or given the overcast skies, the vampire may be desperate enough to attempt to capture Brelynn himself.
Marcus knocked on Sir Gregor and Sir Matthias’s door, and Sir Gregor answered.
“Could you sit with Brelynn?” Marcus asked. “It’s after dawn, but she still shouldn’t be alone, and I want to go check on some things before we head out.”
Sir Gregor nodded and followed Marcus back into the adjoining room. He glanced at Brelynn as he sat in an overstuffed chair and placed his shield next to himself. “Sir Matthias said she’s prickly as a cactus. And if Sir Matthias thinks she’s difficult…” Sir Gregor paused. “I can’t imagine she’s a good traveling companion.”
“She’s a terrible horsewoman,” Marcus agreed and headed out of the room.
His uncle joined him, and they descended the stairs together.
“You feel it too?” Sir Leopold asked.
Marcus nodded. “Sun’s up, but the clouds have me concerned.”
“You gonna tell me why a vampire lord is desperate enough to be stalking you?”
“I need to get Brelynn to Aerius.”
“I know that. King Eli is already impatient.”
“Once she’s safely there, I’ll hunt down the vampire lord.”
“By the seven hells you will,” Sir Leopold snapped. “The Tribunal can handle this, vampire lord and all. I’m more worried about what happens when you get her to Aerius.”
Marcus frowned. “City walls should stop him.”
“And a vampire should know better than to be messing with a man that killed a lich. Unless the alternative is worse.”
“She’ll have the protection of the palace and royal guards.”
“Tell King Eli about the vampire lord. Let him decide how to protect his family.”
Marcus nodded.
Sir Leopold shook his head. “Do you think she can help Prince Dylon?”
“I don’t know much about sorcerers, but I’ve seen her control the spikes in her own magic from strong emotions. I think she can help.”
“Ndrek was right about her then. There’s that, at least.” Sir Leopold paused. “I know what happened with Raymond. Did Brelynn pass your test?”
Marcus nodded. “She drank the holy water.”
“You blessed the holy water?”
“Yes.”
“She’s not what I expected.” Sir Leopold chuckled. “Sir Matthias couldn’t charm a lick of information out of her, and that boy could charm water out of a rock.”
“She doesn’t like him.”
“I gathered.” Sir Leopold shook his head. “Still, you need to get her to King Eli as fast as possible.”
“She’ll be thrilled to get back on her horse.”
Sir Leopold failed to hide a smile. “I’ll let you tell her. Looks like we’ve all got a hard day ahead of us. I’ll rustle up breakfast.”
Marcus started to follow him to the kitchen when he heard barking. “Lucky?”
“I’ll see about breakfast. You go check on the dog.”
Marcus nodded and glanced out the window at the thick overcast sky. He frowned and pulled open the door, coming face to face with Cara.
Her hair was tousled, and her dress ripped, exposing provocative glimpses of her ample cleavage. “Something attacked us,” she whimpered as she fell into Marcus’s arms.
He swallowed back his revulsion and forced himself not to drop her.
His response warned him, and he brushed her hair aside to see her throat. No bite marks, but years of traveling in undead ruled lands taught him that wasn’t the only place they could bite their prey.
As he eased her away from him, she lunged. Her teeth grazed the flesh at his throat, and she screamed as his blood touched her.
Cara jumped back and hissed, her eyes glowing red.
He swept her feet out from underneath her, and she sprawled on the floor as he drew his sword. His blade flamed white as he pierced her
chest, and she crumbled to dust.
Before Marcus could turn around, three creatures pushed in through the front door, and he heard glass break upstairs.
Brelynn. They were after Brelynn.
“There’s more in here,” Marcus yelled as he hefted his shield and bolted up the stairs.
Three vampires waited for him in the hall at the top of the stairs. Marcus charged, surprising them as his shield slammed into the first and knocked him back into the second. He impaled the third with his sword.
His blade blazed white, and the creature crumbled to dust.
Marcus spun around and sliced through the second vampire while the other one dove at him.
Its claws clattered against his armor as it lunged for his throat.
Marcus flung it against the wall and drove his sword through it.
Its ash had not yet touched the ground when the three from the front door reached him.
They charged him at once.
Marcus ran towards the one on the far left, using his shield as a battering ram as they collided. The vampire fell to the floor, Marcus pivoted and drove his sword through the back of the middle vampire. As it crumbled to dust, he thrust his blade through the heart of the one he’d knocked to the floor.
The last one turned, gauging him, and its red eyes glittered in the dark hall as it blocked access to Brelynn’s room.
Marcus heard the scuffle inside and smelled charred wood. He rushed forward, his sword flaming white.
The creature’s eyes widened as it backed up then threw itself at Marcus’s throat. Marcus cleaved through it midair, the dust of the creature spraying across his shield and breastplate.
Marcus sprinted down the hall and threw open the door to the room he’d shared with Brelynn.
The bed was torn apart, the overstuffed chair burned, and the washbasin shattered against the back wall. Two vampires squared off against a bloodied Sir Gregor as three others stalked Brelynn.
Dust crunched under Marcus’s feet as he launched himself at the vampires closing in on Brelynn. His sword flamed white as he sliced through one vampire.
The other two hurled themselves at her.
She unleashed her magic, burning the one closest to her as the third came at her from the side and knocked her to the floor. With superhuman strength, the vampire picked her up and threw her against the doorframe on the opposite side of the room a moment before Marcus cleaved it in two.
Knight of Valor: Knights of Valor Page 18
