“Where is he?” Leo headed for the exit.
The general put up a hand to stop him. “I took him to the medic. He’s wounded, but he told me everything before he passed out. A band of elves attacked. We suffered heavy casualties, but managed to capture an elf, and he boasted that their army is about to launch a massive attack—”
“How massive?” Leo asked.
“Don’t know, but we should move out—”
“I understand.” Leo paced across the tent. As Lord Protector, his first job was to protect the country. But at the same time, he didn’t want to leave Vindemar until the matter of the last assassin was taken care of and he knew Ana and her father were safe. And then he had orders from the king to deliver them to court at Ebton.
He turned toward the general. “Are you fully recovered from the poison? Can you lead?”
General Harden snorted. “I should box your ears for even asking. I taught you everything you know, you little whelp.”
Leo smiled. This was the General Hard-Ass he knew and loved. “Then you’re in charge. Move out at dawn. The entire army, except for Nevis’s troop and my personal guard.”
“Aye, my lord.” The general gave him a curt salute, then left the tent.
Nevis looked annoyed. “I have to stay behind?”
“I thought you were worried about my safety,” Leo told him wryly. “I have to take my bride to Ebton without getting us killed.”
Nevis rolled his eyes. “I could be killing elves, but I have to play chaperone for the newlyweds.”
“Jealous?”
“I can shake her hand. Can you?”
“Bastard.”
With a smirk, Nevis strolled from the tent. “I suggest you take a bath before meeting your wife.”
Leo glanced down at his dirty and sweaty clothes. It had been damned hot with all the armor on. And all his clean clothes were in the dressing room.
He strode through the camp with four of his personal guard following at a discreet distance. All through the camp, soldiers were busily packing up for the march at dawn. Part of him wished he were going with them. Life with the army was all he’d known since the age of eight.
But now he had a wife. And a home. He studied Vindemar as he approached. It was one of the largest fortresses in Eberon, as large and fine as the royal court at Ebton Palace.
With an inward wince, he realized just how big a threat he was to his uncle. He had a huge amount of land and wealth now at his disposal. He had the vassals and men of Vindalyn who owed their allegiance to him, and he had the loyalty of the royal army. He was more dangerous to Uncle Fred than the elves of Woodwyn, pirates of Tourin, or dragons of Norveshka.
This could only mean that the assassination attempts would never stop. No matter how many times he pledged his loyalty to his uncle, the king would still want him dead. If he openly attacked the king’s men, it would be treason, and that would give his uncle a legitimate reason for executing him. Not that Leo would ever accept that without a fight, but he was reluctant to plunge the country into civil war, not when there were three neighboring kingdoms that would invade at the first sign of weakness.
No matter what happened, he didn’t want to end up like his cousin Tedric, the heir to the throne. Five years ago, Tedric had been banished from court and sentenced to live in a crumbling old castle with a handful of guards, essentially a prisoner, waiting for his father to die.
As Leo crossed the drawbridge, the Vindemar guards saluted him, a silent reminder that he was now in charge. In the courtyard, the men bowed, the women curtsied. But he didn’t miss the wary glances cast his way or the worried whispers. Even though Ana’s father had assured everyone at breakfast in the Great Hall that the transfer of power was his idea and had his blessing, there were still some lingering suspicions as to why the Beast had suddenly become the Duke of Vindalyn.
Ana’s guards were not outside the bedchamber, which could only mean that she wasn’t there. As he entered, he heard voices coming from the dressing room. With his hand on the hilt of his sword, he peeked through the door.
It was Edmund, flirting with Ana’s maid as they made room for Leo’s clothes on the shelves.
“That’s not necessary,” he said, leaning against the doorjamb.
They both jumped and quickly made a bow and a curtsy.
“I should start fetching water for my lady’s bath.” Gabrielle grabbed a bucket and ran into her adjoining room.
Edmund sighed. “You scared her away.” His nose wrinkled. “You’ll scare your wife, too, looking like that.”
Leo snorted. “Amazing how all my bachelor friends are suddenly experts on marriage.”
Edmund grinned. “Are you saying I’m one of your friends?”
“Sod off.” Leo scowled as he eyed the bottom shelf. Two of Ana’s linen gowns had been folded up to make room for his shirts and breeches. “You shouldn’t have done this. I won’t be here that long.”
Edmund motioned to the folded gowns. “Gabriella said it didn’t matter, that those were her work clothes. We didn’t disturb her fancy gowns.”
Next to Leo’s stack of shirts was a stack of Ana’s nightgowns. Seeing them side by side made his heart tighten. He was truly married.
He dragged a gloved hand through his sweaty hair. “What did Lady Tatiana do today? Do you know?”
“She slept till noon.” Edmund chuckled. “I heard she fussed at Gabriella for not waking her up earlier.”