Page 15 of Lake of Sorrow

He delved into the cabinet again and pulled out a tin of crackers along with a salami and a knife. “I can get you a real meal after this.”

“That would be nice. We haven’t eaten since before the guard chased us into the preserve and the Kar’ruk chased us into the river.”

Vlerion dropped the salami. “The what?”

Right, she should have brought up the Kar’ruk before the newspaper. She might be more concerned about his wellbeing, but he would worry about the city and the kingdom first and foremost.

As she explained the night’s adventures, Vlerion’s mask remained in place, but his eyes grew grimmer and grimmer.

“I can’t remember a time the Kar’ruk have successfully sneaked past our border patrols and watchtowers. There aren’t that many ways through the mountains. They must have slipped past on the day of the assassination attempt.” Vlerion shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe it, but he added, “The outposts and watchtowers were lightly manned since we needed more people in the city.” He pushed his hands through his short hair. “We’ll have to figure out how many Kar’ruk got through and deal with them. I need to tell Targon.” He headed for the door.

“What about the newspaper?”

Vlerion waved dismissively. “I’ll read it in a minute.”

Kaylina watched his back as he left, hoping he returned and took the newspaper seriously. While she didn’t doubt the Kar’ruk were a threat to the city, if the real link between the rangers and the beast—between him and the beast—became common knowledge, it could mean his death.

5

The minor danger we flirt with daily is far more a threat than the greater danger that is distant.

~ King Voromnar

The noises coming from Captain Targon’s room had ended before Vlerion went over there, so Kaylina hoped he hadn’t been forced to walk in on his boss having the good time that the curse wouldn’t allow him to have. While waiting for him to return, she alternated between pacing and eating crackers. She hoped her brother had also gotten some food. Now and then, she yawned, a reminder of how little sleep she’d gotten the last few days. How little she’d gotten since they’d arrived in Port Jirador.

Exhaustion prompted her to creep into the other room and lie on Vlerion’s bed, hoping he wouldn’t mind. His appealing masculine scent clung to the pillow and sheets, and her mind drifted back to when she’d been in his arms. How she wished their embrace could have lasted—and turned into more.

If only she could find a way to lift his curse, they could be together without fear of repercussions. Later, she would visit Stillguard Castle and check on the plant. She couldn’t help but feel the two curses were linked and that if she could solve the one in the castle, she might learn how to lift his. Then they could share his bed and do whatever they wished.

At that moment, what she wished must have been to fall asleep, because she dozed off snuggled under a blanket. How much time passed before quiet voices woke her, she didn’t know, but the lanterns were dimmed, and she was warm for the first time in days, so she was reluctant to lift her head.

“I can’t believe you have her in here,” came Targon’s voice from the office.

“I didn’t realize you had her in there,” Vlerion replied. “Had you apprised me of your scandalous intentions, I would have taken Kaylina elsewhere.”

“They’re not scandalous,” Targon snapped.

“Uh-huh. I’ll expect an article about your liaison to appear in the new underground newspaper tomorrow.”

Kaylina let her eyelids droop back shut, wondering if she might reclaim sleep. She didn’t want to hear about Targon’s scandalous conquest.

“She left her guards outside the compound, and nobody saw under her hood,” Targon said. “Not even Lenark. Had you not knocked on my door, you’d also have no idea she was in my room.”

“The whole compound knows there was a woman in there with you.”

Targon’s tone turned smug when he said, “I can’t help it that she was an enthusiastic lover. Far more so than you’d expect from an older woman, but she’s an experienced older woman.”

“One assumes the king chose her for a reason.”

Kaylina’s eyes opened. What? Were they talking about… the queen?

No, it had to be some mistress. But Targon had spoken of guards. Would a mistress have guards?

“Without a doubt.” Targon still sounded smug.

Vlerion sighed.

“Forgive me. I forget that you find such matters tedious and have no interest in them.”