I relaxed a little at seeing a few familiar faces as I led Setti toward the stables. Once inside the lamplit barn, I swung down, giving the horse a quick pat before lifting my arms to help Poppy.
She looked at my hands, arched a brow, and then slid off the other side of the saddle.
I sighed, and Poppy grinned as she rubbed Setti’s neck, who was busy sniffing the straw.
Grabbing the saddlebag, I draped it over my shoulder and went to where she stood. “Stay close to me.”
“Of course.”
My eyes narrowed on her. That was a far-too-quick agreement. She clasped her hands together, fixing what she likely thought was an innocent look on her face, but it only made her appear impish.
Kieran and the others joined us as we left Setti’s stall, where he’d found fresh hay in the racks. Outside the stables, the snow was coming down harder. We’d made it just in time. Poppy tugged her cloak around her as we crossed the yard. Catching the eyes of several of my men, I nodded. Their expressions were a mixture of relief and anticipation.
I felt the same.
But didn’t.
The doors of the keep opened, and godsdamn, it was good to see the tall, blond wolven in the entryway. It had been far too long since I’d last seen Delano Amicu.
“It’s good to see you.” Delano clasped Kieran’s hand as he glanced at me, then at Poppy. His gaze lingered a second or so on her and then returned to Kieran. “It’s good to see all of you.”
“Same, Delano,” Kieran answered as I placed my hand on Poppy’s lower back. “It’s been too long.”
“Not long enough.”
I cracked a grin at the deep voice booming from inside the keep. A second later, the massive, bearded, dark-haired Elijah Payne strode out, hand resting on the short sword strapped to his side. Not that the mountain of a man needed it. I’d seen the half-Atlantian pick up a Craven and throw it like it was nothing more than a sack of potatoes.
Kieran smiled, and I saw Poppy do a double-take. “Elijah,” he drawled. “You missed me more than anyone else.”
Elijah proved just how strong the fucker was, capturing Kieran in a hug. He lifted the heavy-ass wolven off his feet as his golden-brown gaze landed on Poppy and me.
A half grin appeared on Elijah’s face as he dropped Kieran. He strode forward, giving Kieran only a heartbeat to move out of the way. “What do we have here?” Elijah asked.
“We’re in need of shelter for the night,” I said.
Elijah threw back his head, laughing. I stifled a sigh as he said, “We have plenty of shelter.”
“Good to hear.” I sent Elijah a look of warning as I guided Poppy into the keep’s foyer.
The space was packed. I kept my hand on Poppy’s back, knowing the looks of distrust coming from some of them were simply because they didn’t recognize Poppy or the guards who traveled with us, but it made me tense. I needed to make sure none of them would be a problem, especially if any happened to figure out who Poppy was. She kept looking around, and I bet she searched for the Lord or Lady in charge of the city.
She would not find either.
“We do have a lot of…catching up to do.” Elijah clapped Kieran on the shoulder, causing him to stumble again. Elijah’s grin spread. The fucker loved to mess with the wolven like a child who kept poking a sleeping bear.
A flash of forest green tunic and a cream shawl caught my attention. I turned to see the true lady of the keep striding forward, her raven-hued hair swept back from her face, and her knee-length tunic and breeches seeming to snag Poppy’s attention. That wasn’t what held mine. It was the growing belly of Elijah’s niece.
Little Magda was pregnant? Again?
Well, she wasn’t exactly little anymore, but it was hard not to think of her as the long-limbed, pigtailed girl who could throw punches just as well as her uncle.
Who currently eyed Poppy, looking like he was seconds away from saying something that didn’t need to be said.
“I must speak with a few people, but Magda will show you to your room.” I glanced at Magda, who I trusted to be far more circumspect than her uncle. “Make sure she has a room to bathe in, and she’s sent hot food.”
“Yes—” Magda started to dip into a curtsy but stopped herself. Her cheeks turned pink as she sent me an apologetic glance before turning to Poppy. “Sorry. I’m a little off balance some days.” She patted her stomach. “I blame baby number two.”
“Congratulations,” Poppy said, her cheeks flushed. She turned to me. “Hawke—”
“Later,” I said, hating to cut her off like that, especially surrounded by strangers and with how out of her element she was. But I had to because Phillips was now inside the keep, and things…some things would begin to happen quickly.
Resolved, I joined Elijah. “Where are the others?”
“Making sure the outside is secure,” Phillips answered, his attention trained on Magda and Poppy.
Elijah chuckled. “The outside can’t be any more secure.”
Phillips turned dark eyes on the man, giving him the once-over. “We’ll see that for ourselves, sir.”
The smile on Elijah’s face grew as I briefly met Kieran’s gaze. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Kieran stepped forward, clasping Phillips’ shoulders. “Let’s see what we can get from the kitchens while we get a better idea of the layout here.”
Phillips hesitated, still watching the side door that Poppy had disappeared through. “Should she be alone with that woman?”
“That woman?” The smile faded from Elijah’s face.
I moved between the two. “I’ve been told these are good and trustworthy people. Let’s not offend them,” I suggested, more than aware of Elijah glowering behind me. “Plus, Poppy is not helpless.”
“Yes, but—”
“She is fine,” I cut in. “Go with Kieran so I can make sure everything we need here will be provided.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, but he went with Kieran this time.
“Are we going to kill him?” Elijah asked. “I hope the fuck so.”
I sighed, facing him. “We need to talk.”
“That we do.” Elijah looked over at the crowd of people. “Y’all get going. You got stuff to do. Do it.” He held up a hand. “And do it quietly. We have guests.” He paused. “Special guests.”
Delano briefly closed his eyes, shaking his head as there were a few grumbles. A giggle or two. Still, the crowd dispersed, most disappearing into the numerous rooms or heading for the dining hall. All except for one. A tall, rich-brown-skinned Atlantian.
“Naill,” I said, meeting him halfway. I clasped his arm. “Been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Too long.” His grip was as tight as mine as he smiled, the skin crinkling at the corners of his golden eyes. “Glad you made it here.”
“Same,” I said.
“I’m kind of sad I didn’t get the same welcome,” quipped Delano.
Laughing under my breath, I turned to the pale-haired wolven. “Might be a wee bit suspicious if I know every single one of you.”
“I know.” Delano came forward. “I just wanted to complain.”