Bride of the Traitor (The Prophecy of Sisters #1) - Hayley Faiman Page 0,132

and his mouth devours me. He shows me his appreciation for accepting his proposal, but it is me who should be thanking him, and I will, by being the best wife a man could ask for.

Epilogue

SIX MONTHS LATER

MEREK

I did not plan to stay here in Llyne as long as I have, but I find that I am very much enjoying the quiet of this land. Not one person fought the takeover by King Elias. In fact, they are all prospering since he has taken this castle as his own and added it to his extensive holdings. All is how it should always have been.

A man, a stranger, rides through the gates on horseback. All of the warriors have gone home, all but Rowan and Frederick have left as well, going back to Aerilon to be at Elias’ side and at his disposal.

I watch him, he is dressed strangely, though because of my extensive travel, I know of what land he hails. He’s dressed in furs, trousers instead of tights, his boots are a thick material meant to ward off the snow and cold. His hair is past his shoulders, his beard long as well. He is a man of the sea.

He has no desire to slow down, to stop, not until he is right upon me. Jerking my chin, I tilt my head to the side, my eyes gazing over his horse who is sweating and tired.

Lifting my hand, I call for the stable boy. “Yes, Your Highness,” he says, dipping down.

Technically, I am royal, however, I do not wish to be called highness, ever, but this boy does so in front of a stranger. He’s a good boy. Smart.

“Take this warrior’s horse, feed and water him, take care of him, he is tired,” I state.

The man dismounts from his steed and tosses his reins to the boy. “Many thanks,” he grunts, his voice rough and deep.

“Are you in charge here?” he asks. His Bunafidian is good, but heavily accented.

I shrug a shoulder. “I am not the King of Bunafi, but I am the ruler of Llyne, under the king’s command of course,” I explain.

He dips his chin with a nod. “I have a missive from my king. I dared not go much farther, unsure if I would run into enemies. I know there have been rumblings of war in this area,” he explains.

“Come to the chancery, you can explain to me what this missive is. My cousin took back control of this land some months ago,” I say as I turn from him and begin to walk toward the castle doors.

Katrina appears almost immediately, a huge smile on her face, until her gaze skirts to the man at my back and her feet freeze to the floor as her entire body jerks.

“My joy, I have a guest. Off now, yes?” Typically, Katrina would be at my side if we were to have a guest, but I do not know this man or his intentions and I want her to take herself somewhere safe.

She dips her chin. “Yes, Merek,” she breathes before she whirls around and runs away.

Once we’re in the chancery, the man flops down in one of the chairs. He is tall and thick, his body wide and the chair groans under his weight.

“Your wife is very beautiful. Such a hair color I have yet to lay eyes upon.”

“She is none of your concern,” I grunt, my eyes narrowed at him.

He shrugs a shoulder as if it means naught to him. “It’s a fact. But the reason I’m here is not your pretty little wife. King Aaric, the sea king, has a missive for your king.”

“What could that be?” I ask.

He grins. “Your queen, is she of another land, perhaps?”

My entire body goes on high alert. “Speak,” I growl.

“My queen is Liv from New York. I travel, listening for my king. I heard rumors that your queen was of another land. When I told my king, he wanted to know for sure. He has a seer at his command and she has seen visions of your land in Bunafi and a new queen, a queen who can aid in a prophecy, perhaps?”

Everything he says, every single thing causes the hairs at the back of my neck to rise. “We will leave at first light for Bunafi. King Elias will want to hear of your information,” I state.

He jerks his chin. “Do you have ale and a woman or two for the eve?” he asks, his lips turning into a grin.

I know of these men. Sex is freely shared among them, naught is sacred or guarded. Women and men share equally in the pleasures of the flesh. It is not like here. Shaking my head once, I clear my throat.

“We do not have women available to be at your disposal here. However, there are a few widows in town who share themselves for coin, I can have a man lead you to them and give you a horse from my stable for the eve.”

He dips his chin. “Much appreciated. I will return at first light,” he murmurs.

I call out for Rowan who I know will watch him. When he comes into the chancery, I explain the situation and he agreed to guide the man and keep watch of him. Frederick also comes to me, and I explain it to him as well. I send him ahead of us so that he can warn Elias and Sybilla of what is coming.

KATRINA

The man, the guest, who walked into the castle was frightening. I have never seen a man of the sea before. I thought they were men of legend. I’d heard about them. Heard that they were hulking, larger than any man in this land. Apparently, that was not a story, but rather truth.

I pace in front of the window, waiting for Merek to show up. When he opens the door, my eyes roam over him quickly, looking for injury.

“I am fine. He wishes to speak to Elias and Sybilla, I think we may have found one of her sisters,” he rasps.

My body jerks and I place my hand against my belly as it flips inside of me. “Truly?” I ask.

He dips his chin in a small nod. “Yes, my joy. You must pack a small bag. We leave at first light for Bunafi,” he informs.

“Me, too?” I ask in surprise.

He hums, reaching out for me. He wraps his hands around my waist and jerks me against his chest. “I do not know how long I will be gone. I’m going to leave Frederick in charge here. I do not want you away from me for that long and your queen may need you, she grows close to her time. We need to be there when the babe enters the world,” he murmurs.

My lips twitch into a smile. We don’t need to be there when Sybilla gives birth to the heir of the throne, my sweet husband wants to be there.

“I will pack a bag,” I whisper.

He dips his chin, his lips brushing against mine. “Is there something you wish to inform me of, my joy?”

My breath hitches. “How did you know?”

His lips twitch. “I didn’t for sure, until now. I want to hear the words, Katrina.”

Inhaling a deep breath, I let the exhale out slowly. Closing my eyes, I reopen them to see that Merek’s gaze has turned very dark green, almost black.

“I am with child,” I state.

His mouth crashes against mine. I do not pack until much later in the evening, my husband keeps me very busy celebrating our new babe.