Trynne gazed up at the castle on the bluff ahead, wondering what they would find there. The castle was lit with torches and bedecked with banners, but trickery had been used to win many battles.
Haley, who had been sent on ahead, met them on the road. She rode through the crowd, making her way to Trynne.
“My lady,” she shouted, trying to be heard over the commotion. “We heard you might arrive during the night. The maidens have been flocking to Dundrennan daily. The people here are loyal to the king. So are the guards at the castle. Duke Fallon has ordered them to make preparations to welcome everyone. The women and children have been gathered into the castle. The menfolk are going to stay outside. The castle is on alert day and night.”
“Fallon is here?” she said, feeling a shudder of anticipation go through her. The news was unexpected.
“Yes! He arrived earlier today.”
“How many soldiers defend the castle?” Trynne asked.
Haley shrugged and frowned. “I heard some were called to defend Kingfountain. We have about five thousand. The duke can explain better than I can. Come to the castle.”
Trynne nodded, still not allowing herself to feel relieved. The king was waving to the crowd, looking regal despite his weariness from the punishing ride to the North. The cheers grew louder. Still, Trynne needed to be sure. She reached out with her magic, searching for any threats to the king. Her magic responded as it usually did in such moments. There were armed soldiers everywhere. The danger was real. But at the moment, there was no imminent threat.
The sharp clash of the horses’ hooves against the flagstones changed when they reached the wooden drawbridge of the fortress. Trynne craned her neck, looking up at the ramparts patrolled by knights holding spears and pennants. She was worried about meeting Fallon, but determined to speak openly with him. She needed to know about his connection with Morwenna. Needed to know what he knew.
The inner bailey was teeming with servants who led their weary mounts away to feed them fresh provender. A few young boys with shovels stayed behind to scoop up the filth left by some of the horses.
There he was among his men, giving orders and seeing to the needs of the arrivals. Fallon stood a head above his fellows, and it struck her anew how very tall and manly he had become. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved in days. When he glanced her way, their eyes met and she felt a jolt in her heart at the look he gave her—one of utter relief. She felt the same way. Despite all her questions, it soothed her heart to see him unharmed.
“My lord,” Fallon said as he came forward and bowed before the king’s horse. “Welcome back to Dundrennan. Although our food is being rationed in preparation for a siege, I’m sure we can find something to please you. Many people are waiting to speak to you, but you must also be very weary from the journey. The state rooms have been prepared for your arrival.”
“Thank you, Fallon,” Drew said with a sigh. “I would appreciate a moment of quiet. My ears are still ringing.”
“Cousin Trynne seems to be in good health,” he said blandly, giving her a mocking smile.
But the pleasure of seeing a glimpse of his old self passed her like a shallow wave. She felt and sensed the presence of another Fountain-blessed, one with enormous power, and a feeling of deep foreboding made her hand reach for her sword pommel.
Morwenna strode into the bailey from the castle. She was no longer wearing the same gown that Trynne had last seen her in. This one was an eye-catching silk brocade with a low neckline. Morwenna’s face was flushed as she pushed through the crowd, her eyes wide with panic until she saw him.
“Father!” she called worriedly, rushing up to Duke Severn as he led his horse by the reins. She clung to him, burying her face against his chest, her shoulders heaving with emotion. Severn murmured gently to her, stroking her black hair in a tender gesture that made Trynne feel helplessly conflicted.
Trynne felt Morwenna’s magic ebb as she calmed herself. Trynne shouldn’t have been surprised to find the poisoner there, yet she had been. How else had Fallon gotten to Dundrennan so quickly? Once again, she thought of the little chest of clothes beneath Morwenna’s bed in the tower.
But the painful thoughts were pushed away when she sensed the presence of another Fountain-blessed, one within the castle itself. Was it the hunter Carrick? she wondered.
Or was there someone else waiting for them?
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Prisoner
The fortress of Dundrennan felt more familiar to Trynne than it should given the few visits she’d made there. But so many of her father’s stories had taken place there. It made her feel connected to him, and despite her discomfort, she couldn’t resist the urge to run her hand along the wall as she walked down a torch-lit corridor. The air held the aroma of baking bread and pine sap, and her boots crunched on the green needles as she crossed the threshold into the royal residence, the room where the king and queen always stayed. Fallon was a considerate host, and food was arranged before them, invoking the pangs of hunger she’d suppressed on the journey. But she could not forget the other Fountain-blessed she’d sensed in the castle, and when she reached out with her magic to make sure the food was safe to eat, she felt the person’s power again. It was like hearing the distant chord of harp strings. It unsettled her. It made her want to investigate.