“Salara,” Kiran cautioned.
“Come on, Kiran,” she said over her shoulder. “They’re only boys.”
They made their way down the hill, and the young men stood quickly when they sighted them approaching. The Crest guard circled them, and the men held out their hands, showing no weapons.
“Who are you?” Norah called to them.
“Who wants to know?” one of the men cut back. His accent told her he wasn’t from Kharav, as Kiran had surmised.
“Salara wants to know,” Kiran snapped at them.
The man’s eyes widened, and he looked at his friends.
“Who are you?” Norah asked him again.
“Ando,” he replied quickly. Norah could hear the fear in his voice. He glanced at his friends again.
“Where are you from?” she asked.
“We’ve made a mistake, Your Majesty,” another man said quickly. “Please.”
“They’re from Osan,” Kiran told her.
Norah hadn’t realized they were so close to the neighboring kingdom.
“They’re forbidden to cross the border,” he added.
“Please, Your Majesty,” Ando said. “We mean no harm. We’ll be on our way.”
“Why are you here?” she asked.
They looked at each other hesitantly.
“Well?” she prodded.
“We lost a bet,” Ando admitted. “We are indebted to spend a night in the Shadowlands. We didn’t think anyone would be here. Please, Your Majesty.”
She turned to Kiran. “Let them go.”
“The lord commander would never let them live,” he told her.
“Well, the lord commander isn’t here.” Thank the gods. She looked at the young men with a scowl. “This isn’t a place for games. Go back home and consider yourselves lucky.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you! Thank you!”
They bowed appreciatively, and Norah waited while they collected their things. They gave one last bow before they clambered onto their horses and spurred them off over the next hill. Norah smiled after them. Boys.
“We should return to the castle now,” Kiran called.
“Let’s wait a bit and then ride to the top of the next hill. I want to make sure they’re off.” She took a moment to drink water and rest. “I think we should make this a regular event,” she told Kiran. “I like it out here.”
“Thank you for the warning,” he said wryly.
She chuckled. “All right, let’s see if they’ve gone.”
They rode up the hill to check on the young men, but as she reached the top and looked down, her pulse quickened. A small group of soldiers had stopped them. Kharavian soldiers. And in the center, she saw the commander.
“This isn’t good, Salara,” Kiran said. “You should go back. You don’t want to be out here.”
But Norah wasn’t thinking about going back now. She urged the mare down the hill, with her guard following close behind her. She reached the bottom as the men were being pushed to their knees.
“Lord Commander!” she called out, breathless.
He stood by the young men and turned when he heard her. His eyes narrowed. “You shouldn’t be out here,” he said darkly. “Return to the castle.”
“I won’t! What are you doing?”
“Your Majesty!” Ando called to her. “We told him you released us.”
“Ride on or watch them die,” the commander snarled at her.
The threat made Norah shudder. “No, these boys are returning home. I’m salara. You’ll release them!” she demanded.
A wicked smile came to his eyes. “Where the security of the kingdom is concerned, I act on behalf of Salar. You have no authority here.”
“They’re just boys!”
“They’re men. Not that it matters.”
Norah slid off her horse and stepped close to the commander so no one else could hear her. “If you’re angry at me, then let’s resolve that, just you and me. But I beg you, let them go.”
“I would never act in anger against Salar’s wife,” he said in a tone that chilled her more than any winter.
“Anything you ask,” she begged. “Please!”
He paused. “The Bear. Give him to me, and I’ll let them go.”
Bile rose in her throat. “You ask for what you know I can’t give.”
Before she could react, the commander ran Ando through with his sword, and the young man fell forward onto the ground.
“No!” Norah screamed as he turned and dropped another. She begged of Kiran, “Make him stop!”
The Crest guard gripped his sword handle but didn’t move. “We can’t do that, Salara.”
The commander cut down another man—so casually, so easily. Then he stepped toward the next. Norah clasped her hand over her mouth, stifling another scream, feeling completely helpless.
“Wait!” the man cried as the commander stepped toward him. “Wait! I’m the prince! Prince Jeord. If restitution is required, it can be paid! Just let us go. We’ll leave right now!”
The commander paused, and his eyes held a haunting smile. “Prince Jeord. I didn’t recognize you.” He leaned closer to the young man. “I have a message for your father. Restitution is required. Tell him to bring his army and pay in blood.”
Jeord gaped in horror. “You want war?”
The commander looked at Norah. “It’s been said I lust for it.”
Jeord stood, shakily backing away.
“Run along,” the commander said. The other two young men scrambled up with Jeord, but before they could run, the commander dropped them both with his sword.
Norah let out a short scream. This couldn’t be happening.
The commander eyed the prince, who stumbled back with a cry in his throat.
“Just you,” the commander said as he stooped down and wiped his sword on one of the dead men’s clothes. “Go.”
Jeord whimpered, backing away. Then he turned and ran, stumbling but catching himself again.
The commander watched him until he was out of sight. “Stake the bodies by the border,” he told the Crest. “Bring the horses.” Norah staggered back in shock, and the commander turned to her. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” she seethed.
His eyes grew darker. “Get on your horse, or I’ll drag you back.”
She knew he meant it. Still shaking and filled with horror, she climbed back on the mare.
Mikael sat in his study, poring over the deeds of his lands. He looked for more to give his ex-wives, as Salara had asked of him. It surprised him she’d asked this, but then, she was always surprising him.
He knew it wasn’t easy for her in Kharav. Could she see how much he was trying? Soren was furious with him, and understandably so. There would be consequences with the lords, he knew. But he was willing to suffer the cost.
Footsteps echoed in the halls, and the door to his study slammed open against the wall.
“I hope you’re proud!” Salara seethed as she stormed in.
He rose from his desk in alarm. What was going on?
Her eyes blazed with a fire he hadn’t seen before, not even when she’d been upset about his wives.