Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology #2) - Robin LaFevers Page 0,146

is confident he can manage them,” Maraud says. “Especially with d’Albret’s help.”

“But can he?” Beast asks.

“We will find out.”

Silence ensues as we contemplate the horrors of the war that ran for a hundred years between France and England. The people of our country will not survive another such campaign.

“The regent blamed the queen for starting false rumors of this rebellion to serve her own ends,” Sybella says. “But if England is involved, the king will have to believe us now. This is no longer a squabble over a duchy but a foreign invasion.”

“But how do we get the king to see this new truth?” I ask.

“We win,” Beast says, at the same time Maraud says, “We present him with proof.”

“How many men did d’Albret bring with him?” Beast asks Maraud.

“Fifteen hundred mounted knights and another two thousand infantry.”

Beast swears. “With the English, that is nearly eight thousand more men than we planned for.”

“Your defensive positions are the key here,” Maraud points out. “If we can hold them, and depending upon how long Rohan’s coalition will persist.”

“It’s spring. Plenty of time for a long siege.”

“Marshal Rieux still commands all the holdings that you retook in the south,” Maraud says. “And now, with the cannon out of the picture, I imagine Montauban will be able to keep Vannes, as well.”

“Where will these English troops be landing?”

“Morlaix. Providing the weather breaks.”

Aeva steps forward then. “I will get word to the Arduinnites.”

“Thank you,” Beast says. “There are no archers I would rather have at my back.”

Lazare, who has been surprisingly silent, speaks. “I cannot make promises for them, but it is possible the charbonnerie can help, but we will have to put it to a vote.”

“We could certainly use the charbonnerie’s resourcefulness.”

Lazare smiles. “You don’t even know the half of it.”

Some of the sense of doom leaves Beast’s face. “How do we go about getting that permission?”

Sybella glances at Maraud. “It would be wise if you all stayed hidden a while longer. And I think Gen needs another day of rest before she can travel.”

I start to protest, but she silences me with a wave of her hand. “The more thoroughly we stay hidden, the better our chances.”

* * *

We remain in the cave for two nights, Sybella staying by my side to ensure my head injury does not trouble me overmuch. On the second night, Maraud approaches as we are getting ready for sleep. “I will keep watch over her tonight,” he offers.

Sybella arches one graceful brow. “Will you, now? How very thoughtful of you.”

Maraud keeps his face sober, but I can see it is a struggle. “She is much better today. I think the danger has passed.”

Sybella looks down at me, her mouth twisting in amusement. “I think you are correct. And thank you, I will take you up on your offer.” With one last smirk at me, she drifts away in the direction of Beast’s voice.

Maraud stretches out on the floor next to me, propping himself on his elbow. “You will never know how glad I was when I saw you yesterday.”

“Oh, I’ve a fair idea.”

“Standing there,” he continues, “in the midst of battle, calling out warnings left and right with no heed to your own safety.” He takes my hand in his.

“I’d put my cloak up!”

“Yes, wool has always been the shield of choice against arrows and swords.” He reaches out and strokes my cheek, touching something deep inside my heart—something I have only recently learned not to be terrified of.

I was given the gift of Maraud too soon. I realize that now. Just like a starving man must begin to eat slowly lest the too-rich food make him ill, so it was with me. It would have been too easy to sicken myself with the richness of what he offered.

But that hole in my heart has been filled—by Sybella, the queen, by Beast and Lazare and Poulet. Even Valine has had a hand in making my heart feel whole again. Every time one of them accepts me for who I am, with no scorn or contempt or hidden manipulation, that wound heals even more. I am no longer starving. Well, mayhap in a different way, I think as Maraud lowers his head and brings his lips to mine.

 Chapter 82

Sybella

We set off first thing in the morning, while the mist hovers over the forest floor still damp from last week’s rain. The Arduinnites recovered enough of our horses after the battle that we do not have to walk. They even