Page 21 of The Sun King's Noon

The boy trotted away. Richard watched him go and tucked the remaining stone into the inner pocket of his tunic.

Dain leaned against a tapestry of Eirwen, the god of winter, slaying the ice dragon of Aberon. “A necklace’s a fine idea. Especially with the lassie’s tendency to get into trouble.”

Richard sighed. Would that he didn’t need it. “Keep an eye on her, Dain. I do not want her leaving the castle until we have this coven captured entirely. And assign her a personal guard to follow her at a distance.”

“Aye, I’ll ensure it, lad.”

The sound of children laughing from the courtyard drifted through the arched windows, and the smell of baked bread filled the air. But otherwise, the hallway was quiet, free of others, and in that quiet, Kaelen’s silence became impossible to ignore. The knight stood there, at his father’s shoulder, his jaw tight and eyes stern, and Richard’s temper, worn thin already by the dungeons and Dianara’s ominous return, frayed.

“What?” he snapped.

Kaelen blinked. “My king?”

“Do not pretend.” Richard’s lip curled as he stalked closer. “You have been sulking like a child since we left the dungeons. If you have something to say, Sir Knight, say it. I am in no state of mind to interpret your silences.”

For a moment, it seemed Kaelen would hold his tongue. His jaw clenched tighter, and his gauntleted hands flexed at his sides. But then, his eyes flashed, and the dam broke.

“You toyed with him,” Kaelen spat. “You sat before a broken, chained man, held his face, and spun lies about his lovers being enslaved, spoke ofgeldinga man. Can you not see, my king, you were not yourself?”

Richard gave a disbelieving laugh. “Truly? This is what vexes you so?” He spread his arms. “That man abetted witches who almost gutted my sister. Had my sword been a heartbeat slower, Briony’s blood would have flooded the yard. What would you have had me do? Entreat him gently? Offer him tea and biscuits and hope he feels generous?”

“Do not make me seem a fool!” Kaelen’s cheeks coloured. “There are depths to which you, of all people, ought not lower yourself. You used a man’s love as a blade against him. That is not?—”

“Notwhat?” Richard sneered. “Not seemly? You naively cling to honour as though that would stop Gloamvarn’s forces. Think you Galdran respects those same principles? He will flay your skin and use it as kindling.”

The mention of Galdran made Kaelen gnash his teeth. “Then we must fight without becoming such filth!”

A serving girl who’d been approaching from the far end squeaked and fled the other way.

Richard closed the distance and thudded his fist against Kaelen’s breastplate. “There is a war coming.” He struck the breastplate again. “And if your father falls—” Thud. “If General Barlow falls. If Sarn falls—” Thud. “If Ivelle falls—” He seized the rim of Kaelen’s breastplate and wrenched him down so their eyes were level. “It will beyouwho must lead the armies that remain. You. A knight of twenty-four who now whines to me about ugly words spoken to an accomplice to treason. I suggest, Sir Kaelen, that you grow up. And that you do so quickly.”

Kaelen breathed hard. “I will lead if called upon, Your Majesty.” Each word was gritted out. “But I will not shed my beliefs, for we are nothing without our compassion and mercy.”

Disbelief blistered through Richard. How? How could one man be so infuriating?

“Very well,” Richard hissed. “Cling tight to your morals.” He shoved Kaelen back, though the knight stayed rooted. “And may you be there with those spotless hands of yours when Galdran mounts my body on a pike.”

Kaelen flinched even as his glare deepened. Richard glared back, and for a moment, neither spoke?—

“That’s enough!” Dain wedged between them, one brawny palm flat against Richard’s chest, and the other against Kaelen’s breastplate. “Gods be damned, the pair of you, barking like dogs in a place where half the bloody castle has ears. You—” He jabbed a thick finger at Kaelen. “Go walk the perimeter and cool that head of yours.”

Kaelen’s mouth opened with a scowl.

“Now, boy.”

Kaelen’s jaw clamped shut. He bowed stiffly and strode away, his cloak billowing.

Dain rounded on Richard, brows furrowed so deeply that they almost touched. “And you. Go rest.”

Richard huffed, his knuckles throbbing from where he’d struck Kaelen’s armour and the furious words he’d not had a chance to say writhing in the cage of his ribs. “I am perfectly well?—”

“To bed, boy.Now.”

With a final glower at where Kaelen had stood, Richard turned on his heel and marched towards his chambers.

CHAPTER 10

The full moon hung high. Richard stood in the hallway outside Briony’s bedchamber, the red carpet soft underfoot, and a gold necklace in his hand. It was finer work than he’d expected for something made in such haste. The chain was slender, and at its centre dangled a locket shaped like a book. Sealed inside the book was the tracking gem, and if Richard squeezed his palm, he could feel its heat still.