“King Agnar?” Mina understood that Marius was closest to this brother who ruled the western kingdom. “Why have they gone there?”
Sienna glanced at Nikolai, her mood turning somber suddenly.
“We sent one of the Bloodguard with a sealed request to King Stephanus a fortnight ago. The east is infiltrated with King Dominik’s Legionnaires. We’d hoped that Stephanus would band with us and in return we’d rid his kingdom of Dominik’s encroaching dominion as it appears he has designs to take over the east.”
“Oh, no.” This was more perilous than Mina had realized. “And I suppose Stephanus denied the request.”
Nikolai nodded. “He’s always been a bit of a coward. I hadn’t expected any better.”
“And so Marius is hoping his brother in the west will join us,” added Sienna.
“What are the numbers of the Black Lily?” Mina glanced from Sienna to Nikolai. “Are there not enough to match them?”
Nikolai drained his glass and set it on the mantel, then squared his shoulders, hands in his pockets. “Your Highness, while you were…incapacitated, Queen Morgrid and King Dominik have been raiding the lands to the north, taking entire villages, turning the men vampire for their army, keeping the women and children as bleeders and as hostages to force the men to fight with them.”
“Dear heavens.” Mina nearly dropped her glass, but Sienna caught it as it tilted on her lap, then lifted it away.
She set both their glasses on a side table. “It is dire indeed. We have a strong, well-trained army. But not enough. Not against the kind of vampire army they’re amassing, many of whom have been infected with the blood madness and will do anything for the queen.”
“What of King Grindal? No one has said a word of him.”
“No one knows,” said Nikolai. “My cousin Riker was the last man we had inside the Glass Tower. Riker said King Grindal seemed to go missing right about the time they started torturing Riker for information. They rightly guessed that Riker was still loyal to me.”
“And your cousin? He got out?”
Sienna and Nikolai shared a sad look.
“He did. Barely. They mutilated him, but he is alive. Still recovering on our offshore training center, where the last of our recruits remain. But he is stronger by the day and will be ready for war when it is time.”
Mina’s stomach churned, acid swirling at the thought of so much evil. The queen and her son had been wreaking havoc across the country while she lay in a bloodless sleep. A flash of her last moments before she’d been imprisoned in her own home. The sneering Radomir coming for her after he’d sliced Kathleen’s throat. She’d been able to do nothing to save her friend or even save herself. They’d grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the upper tower—cold and damp from lack of use. When she curled up in the corner, Radomir had laughed and murmured, “Sweet dreams,” before slamming the bolt home. The memory of loss and pain and her own failure to stop it steeped her in a well of helplessness.
“Your Highness, are you—?”
A soft knock came at the door a second before Mikhail entered. His gaze landed on Mina first as he stepped closer to her side. Strange how swiftly his nearness put her at ease, nearly wiping away the anxiety that had threatened to overwhelm her seconds before.
“Good to have you back, Captain,” said Nikolai with a nod. “Your men were growing anxious.”
“Thank you for keeping them in line.”
“No need. They followed your orders as if you were here. Three trainings a day, alternating the teams every two hours, venturing to town only for feeding, not for drinking ale or making trouble. It was like you never left. I must compliment you on their discipline. I’ve had Legionnaire troops who didn’t follow orders so well.”
Mikhail dipped his chin, his stern expression focused on Mina. “Thank you, Nikolai. But they know what is at stake here. They won’t let our chances fail because of idleness or lack of discipline.”
“Still. It says a lot about you. Your team is an asset to us.”
“Thank you.” He stepped closer to Mina’s side. “I thought I’d get Her Highness settled and let her rest after the journey.”
“Oh, of course,” said Sienna, popping off the sofa. “I can help and show you where I’ve stocked everything.”
Mina rose wearily, the last memories of her home weighing her down. Nikolai stepped close to Sienna, placing a hand around her waist with a firm grip. “I believe the captain can manage to get her settled on his own.”
Sienna opened her mouth to say something. Nikolai’s grip tightened at her waist.
“Sure. I’m sure he can get her settled. Then we can all meet for breakfast after you’ve rested. How would that be?”
“That would be lovely.” Mina opened her arms to hug her friend again.
She returned the embrace. “I am so happy you’re here. And safe.” Sienna pulled her at arm’s length, her green eyes sparking with specks of gold.
Mina felt a sudden surge of heart-heavy emotion, like she was touching not just a long-lost friend. But a sister. Funny. They’d only met that one time. And yet, she felt drawn to Sienna.
Sienna’s brow rose, her eyes widening. “I believe you belong with us, Your Highness.”
“I believe so, too,” said Mina, allowing Mikhail to finally usher her back out the door.
Night had fallen quickly. There was not a man in the yard. The only movement was that of a goat in a fenced pen, baaing at them as they passed. As soon as they crossed onto a wooded path, Mikhail pulled her to a stop and wrapped her in his arms, rocking her gently.
Startled, she froze, then sank into his welcome embrace. “Why are you holding me, Captain?”
“Because you need holding. And I need to be the one to do it.”
Chapter Ten
He was a fool. A bloody, besotted fool who couldn’t seem to mind his own commands. He’d told himself to keep a distance, especially after that incident by the brook earlier in the day. And here he was, running to her aid and comforting her the only way he knew how.
He’d sensed her anxiety from where he stood in Sienna’s yard while talking with his men. Immediately, he dismissed them back to camp and rushed into the cottage to be near her, to rescue her. He couldn’t seem to keep himself from trying to be her hero.
He wasn’t meant for comfort and soft caresses, especially when the relationship couldn’t go beyond the physical. He was meant for blood and ruin and war. He couldn’t have a lover who would distract from his ultimate goal. Yet here he was, holding Princess Mina in his arms like a lover would, pressing his lips to her hair, feeling her warmth like a balm to the soul.
Her delicate hands slid up his chest to cradle his face as she pushed back to look into his eyes. Starlight sparkled there, luring him to the damnable depths. When she looked at him like that, he was a lost man. Falling so fast he could hardly breathe.
“Kiss me, Mikhail,” she pleaded. Yes, the goddess begged for his mouth on hers.