Read Online Sorrows of Adoration by Kimberly Chapman - Free Book Online Page B

purposes. Archers stood watch atop the walls,
surveying the commotion below.
    Kurit gave my hand a
gentle squeeze and winked at me. “We’ll sleep in soft beds tonight,
our bellies full.”
    “After a bath,” I said,
trying to seem happy.
    “Indeed. You’ll enjoy a
hot bath with scented salts to wash with.”
    That, at least, was a
pleasant thought. I tried to relax as we approached the gate.
Within a few paces of the guards’ station, I heard a robust voice
cry out, “The Prince returns!”
    The assorted folk near
the gate moved out of the way at the announcement, and an armed man
sporting the King’s crest on his armour stepped forward quickly. He
bowed to Kurit and said, “The Temples be blessed, you have returned
safely.” Then he looked at me, saw my hand in Kurit’s, and bowed
his head again. “My Lady,” he said, clearly not knowing what to say
after that.
    “This is the Lady Aenna
of Alesha, who has travelled with me after bringing me news that
saved my life,” Kurit said in a clear, proud voice that made me
smile and blush. Then he pointed to the man in the crested armour
and told me, “This is Graek, Captain of the Endren Force, the
guards that protect the city.”
    Graek bowed again to me
and said, “Lady Aenna, I am most pleased to make your
acquaintance.” He rose again and turned to Kurit, which I was glad
of, since I could feel my face warming and suspected I must look
like an overripe tomato.
    “Highness, Lord Jarik
returned several days ago with the maid Gilaela. He went back out
immediately with no less than a full battalion of the King’s Guard
to seek those that plotted against you.”
    “Has he returned?”
Kurit asked.
    “Yes, Highness. They
met with the wretched rogues along the road and slew most of them
on the spot, capturing the rest for interrogation.”
    “Were any of our men
hurt?”
    “Only one, Highness,
and he is already recovering. The bandits were unprepared for our
forces, I’ve been told. Several other groups of men have been sent
to search for you, but Lord Jarik forewarned them that you would be
attempting to hide yourself.”
    “Are they still
out?”
    “Yes, Highness, but of
course they’ll be recalled as soon as possible now that you’ve
thankfully returned safely on your own.”
    Kurit nodded. I had
turned to face him, trying to hide my blushing face, which was
finally fading. Our hands were still entwined, and I tried not to
let his public affection steer me away from my determination to
withhold my heart in doubt of the bright future he had promised. In
fact, as we stood, I had noticed a man coming slowly through the
crowd, staring at us, and felt greatly self-conscious, wondering if
he saw how Kurit held my hand and disdained such a filthy girl
being touched so by the heir to the throne.
    “Have the prisoners
been interrogated?” Kurit asked.
    “I suspect so,
Highness, but I have not been told of the results. I do know,
however, that the rogues were of Daufrae.”
    “Daufrae?” Kurit asked.
“We pondered the possibility, but the problem with Raen was so long
ago.”
    “Indeed, Highness. It
seems that Raen recently returned in secret to Daufrae to gather
those loyal to him and hatch a mad plot to take the throne of
Keshaerlan.” As Graek said this, I wondered if any of the men I had
seen at the Traveller’s Torch had in fact been Lord Raen
himself.
    My pondering was
interrupted as I again found myself distracted by the man who was
still watching us. I peered at him around Kurit’s right shoulder,
wondering if I looked so despicable that I was worthy of such a
stare.
    Then I realized he was
not looking at me at all, but rather glaring at Kurit. The very
moment I wondered why Kurit’s return would illicit such a hateful
glare, I saw the man flip aside his cloak and lift a crossbow
towards Kurit.
    I remember every moment
that followed in sharp clarity because time slowed to a crawl, and
all sound melted into a low hum. Without hesitation or