Page 109 of Obsidian Throne

“I’m sure you noticed the men who came to your aid today were Unclanned,” she began.

He nodded.

“They are under my protection and my care.” She sounded more commanding than I had ever heard her.

Taras looked at me, and Rowan let out an irritable breath.

“Not as a clan wife,” she clarified. “Since that position obviously does not afford me the luxury of having an actual voice.”

She might not have been acknowledging my presence, but the words were clearly meant for me.

“Lemmikki,” I interjected to argue, but she barreled over me.

“They are under my protection as the princess and second-in-line to the throne of Lochlann. A man named Andrei is one of their leaders. You can deal with him. They can be fed from my dowry, and Lochlann will replenish the stores from my holdings.” Her tone was matter of fact now.

“Ifeel as though they have more than earned their reintegration to society,” she continued.

My cousin’s eyes widened in shock, and she held her hand up.

“But as it has been made abundantly clear that my opinion is neither desired nor given any consideration, if that cannot be arranged, I will settle for them being taken care of until such time as they can accompany me back to my holdings in Lochlann,” she finished.

Rowan stopped so suddenly outside her door that I nearly ran into her, my exhausted mind belatedly processing the last thing she said.

“You’re going back to Lochlann?” I asked.

To escort the Unclanned? To visit her family?

To stay?

She didn’t respond, holding Taras’ gaze. “Will you take care of that for me?”

“Yes, My Lady.” His tone was quiet, troubled, but I didn’t think it was about what she had asked for the Unclanned.

“Lemmikki?” I pushed.

“Thank you,” she said to him, still ignoring me.

Taisiya appeared at Rowan’s side, reaching behind her to open the door. My wife turned to head inside, and I reached out to grab her arm.

“Rowan,” I growled.

She turned very slowly, meeting my eyes at last. The fury in hers was gone, replaced by a colder kind of rage.

“Just leave me alone, Evander. You’re good at that.”

It felt like she had slapped me again.

I stood frozen as she tugged her arm out of my unmoving grasp and slammed the door in my face.

Taras only raised his eyebrows and let out a low whistle.

“Can’t say I didn’t see that coming, Cousin,” he said drily.

Then he clapped me on the shoulder and took off down the hall, presumably to see to Rowan’s orders.

I groaned internally before knocking on her door.

“Lemmikki,” I called. “Talk to me.”