Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,171

me, nonstop. It became increasingly uncomfortable in the second week, choosing to hide within the tent more and more to escape the lust-filled stares he sent my way. Killian and the others had noted it and kept the lord occupied and away from me, luckily.

It was midafternoon on the first day of the third week when Lord Andres found me alone with Greer. He sat beside me, grabbing me from where I had sat, placing me onto his lap as Greer turned toward me, silently sliding his gaze between us.

“Aren’t you a pretty little thing,” Lord Andres chuckled, running his nose over my shoulder. I rattled, causing his focus to shift to surprise long enough for Greer to grab me from the lord’s lap. “I’d back off, asshole. Do you know who I am?” Lord Andres sneered, and I tilted my head, purring low in warning at the man threatening violence toward Greer.

Lord Andres’s green eyes narrowed on me, and before I could duck, his fist shot out, slamming against the side of my head.

I darted forward to attack, only for Killian to slam me back as Lore caught me, rattling low in his throat. Lore pushed me toward Greer before he stepped beside Killian, creating a barrier between Lord Andres and us.

“She’s not to be harmed. The king himself protects Aria, and I doubt you want Knox returning to find his protection violated. Do you? Because to harm those under his protection is treason against the king himself,” Killian said smoothly.

Lord Andres sized up Killian and Lore, sneering before his stare settled on me. It sent unease slithering through me with the look of hatred and borderline obsession that banked within them. His mouth twisted into a cruel smile before he reached up, pushing his oily hair away from his forehead.

“She’s a witch and his whore according to the guards. Tell me, Lord Killian, does the king intend to breed the bitch too? Oh, that’s right. He can’t, considering his queen already provided him with a son which this whore’s bloodline murdered. Yet he fucks her and gives her his protection? Interesting choice of bedmates. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“What the king does with his whore isn’t our business, now is it?” Killian countered, his anger smothering as his power slid through me.

I tried to step back, but Greer held me in place, noting that Lord Andres’s sharp stare shifted to me the moment I tried to move away. Greer tightened his hold, squeezing my arm as if he were silently trying to ask me to remain in place.

“I just found it strange that she is kept away from the other witches, and sleeps in his tent even without him present to use her. She’s guarded rather heavily, and it is making my men curious as some wouldn’t mind bedding the whore a few times before we take our leave.”

“The camp followers are welcoming your men to their beds often. The other witches were given the option as well. Aria isn’t among the ones offered to satisfy your bodily needs, nor is that changing. King Karnavious doesn’t wish her to be used yet. When that changes, some of us are already in line for that position, Lord Andres. This argument and inquiry are finished. Wouldn’t you agree?” Killian’s tone brokered no room for argument. His eyes didn’t blink as he pulled power to him, blanketing us with it as Greer held me tightly, protectively.

Lord Andres rattled loudly, and Lore and Killian both stepped forward, echoing the noise until my own slid free, low, and deadly, causing all three men to turn and stare at me. It wasn’t a friendly sound by any means, more of a ‘fucking try me’ rattle that had Killian smiling devilishly as if he considered taking me up on the offer.

Well, shit.

A rider entered the camp and approached the tense situation unfolding with apprehension. Still, he moved forward and handed Killian a sealed letter that held a black circular wax seal. He accepted and opened it before turning to Lore.

“Pack the king’s tent and his witch. We’re leaving to meet him and the king’s guard on the passes. I need to give orders to the men to follow behind us,” Killian announced. “I guess this is where we part ways, Lord Andres.” Killian moved to make his way toward the men when Lore stopped him.

“Just us?” Lore asked.

“And a large group of men, but we will meet up with Brander and Knox before the passes. He stated