information and your thinking is better than the enemy’s. I’m not disagreeing with you. So far, you’ve proved your critics wrong at every turn, but just be aware that no matter how sure you are, in war, everything is ultimately a gamble.”
He was beginning to grow irritated with his sister’s preaching. “Do you have a point?”
She nodded. “I’ve never played a high-stakes game, but I remember what Father always says about gambling. Never gamble with anything you aren’t willing to lose.”
Will’s eyes narrowed. “You think I should give up Maldon, just in case? I won’t do that.”
“I think your plan is sound. Instead, I think you should send for your cousin. You’re the Royal Marshal, you can do what you want. Make up an excuse, doesn’t matter what it is. Bring him here and position him somewhere out of harm’s way.”
How often had he wished to do that very thing? Will clenched his jaw. “I can’t do that. Not only would it violate my own principles regarding privilege, but Eric wouldn’t thank me for it either. He’d be furious if he thought I was trying to protect him. Not to mention everyone he’s fought with would see the move for exactly what it is, nepotism.”
Laina’s eyes caught fire. “Don’t look at me like that when you say nepotism. I know what you think of the nobility. I care more for the common people than anyone else in this camp.”
“And yet you’re still advising me to abuse my power to assist a family member,” he shot back.
“Yes! Just because you were raised a peasant doesn’t make you more virtuous! In fact, most commoners would make the same decision without even thinking twice about it.”
“When you’re utterly without power, you can’t abuse it,” he corrected. “The only thing the lower classes can do is take care of one another.”
“Well don’t say I didn’t warn you, peasant,” growled Laina. “I truly hope you don’t find out why the nobility don’t hesitate to use their power to benefit their family. Don’t come crying to me if something bad happens.”
In the midst of her rebuttal, Will felt his heart soften. Misguided she might be, but he knew Laina was trying to protect him. “Even peasants have pride, you noble-bitch,” he responded, but there was no venom in his voice and a smile played at the corner of his lips.
Her eyes went wide at the vulgar insult, but then the fire in them died. “If you hadn’t married into the royal family, I’d have you whipped for that. Turn around.”
“Why?” he asked, but he turned around anyway.
Laina’s arms encircled his waist. “So, I don’t have to look at your face, pig.” She squeezed tightly, then added, “Keep yourself safe. If anything happens to you, I’ll come back and kill you all over again, but I’ll make it twice as painful.”
She left, and he went for a short walk to the edge of the camp, muttering a particular name quietly to himself. The urgency of the current situation meant he needed to finish matters in Maldon as quickly as possible, and that in turn meant he needed to use every resource available to him. He felt a response as soon as he said her name, and soon after he reached the edge of the camp, he saw her approach. Will crossed the wards because he didn’t think Tailtiu could cross without setting off the alarm.
Her eyes were approving as she studied the ward lines behind him. “Your wisdom has grown, master.”
Will frowned. “That doesn’t suit you. You’ve never called me that before.”
“I’ve never been who I am before,” Tailtiu replied whimsically. “Until I figure out what that means, I intend to serve you with the fervent obedience of a devoted slave.” She licked her lips at the end.
She’s definitely still who she was, he observed silently. “Don’t call me master,” he ordered. “I’ll use a favor if necessary.”
She lifted one brow, then called his bluff. “Go ahead.”
Not one to back down, he replied, “In exchange for one of the unbound favors you owe me, I demand that you not address me as master.”
Tailtiu smiled impishly. “Certainly, master. Anything you wish, master.” She moved forward as she spoke, and before he could get over his shock and decide if she was a threat, she brought one hand slowly up and then seized the back of his neck. The other hand found his waist, pulling him tightly to her in an iron grip. She was impossibly strong.
“Stop! What are