Page 25 of Tarnished Crown

Remember that time we woke up on the floor of a Socairan dungeon? I never actually thought we would top that, but you appear to have more of Gwyn’s competitive streak than I ever gave you credit for.

I chuckled wryly.

His letter went on to detail a few amusing stories about misunderstandings with the customs and requested that I fill him in on the events of the Summit at my convenience so that he might have a better picture than the vague one Theo and Iiro had painted.

I hope you’re happy because ‘Lord’ Theodore--who, by the way, alleges you were betrothed by the time you were taken--is even less amusing when you aren’t around. Honestly, I’m not certain there is any fun to be had in the whole of Socair, though I suspect that’s even more lacking where you are.

Only five months until the pass opens. Tellus Amat Fortis.

After ending it on the serious note with our family’s motto, the world loves the strong, he had signed it,Your most humbly loyal and obedient servant guard.

I couldn't help but laugh, though my expression sobered quickly when I opened Theo’s letter.

Rowan,

How is it possible to miss someone so much when you were only around them for two weeks? Already, I look around, expecting you to be there with your mischievous grin and an inappropriate joke waiting on your lips, and then I remember what’s happened.

Iiro and I are doing everything we can to get you out of this situation, but if all else fails, I promise, I will get word to your father. One way or another, I will not stop fighting until I have you back in my arms.

All my love,

Theo

I had tried so hard not to think about everything I had walked away from at the Summit, but it came flooding in now. Memories of Theo and I tucked away in the tent during the rainstorm, the way he would reluctantly smile when he was exasperated.

The way he held me like he could keep me safe through sheer force of his will.

I read the letter a few more times before pulling out a quill and parchment from the desk to craft my own. I gave Davin a more detailed accounting of what had happened at the Summit, and assured him that I was all right.

Then I wrote back to Theo, and I was sure to include a couple small passages that would make whoever was stuck with the job of reading these letters wildly uncomfortable.

I hoped it was Taras.

CHAPTER21

Another week went by, this one bringing a letter from Mila, but no news on when or whether I might actually be getting out of Bear. I hadn’t seen Evander at all except for the two times in the hallway, and the men never had any information for me.

So, I finally decided to go to the arseling lord himself.

The house was quiet, almost eerily still with the wan shafts of moonlight dancing on the hallway walls. Yuriy was guarding my rooms tonight and appeared rather dubious about my plan.

“I just want to ask him something,” I said.

The young guard hesitated, looking me over as if to assess whether I was a threat. I made myself look as harmless as possible, which wasn’t difficult when I was only five feet tall.

Apparently, it worked, because he reluctantly nodded.

I hurried over to Evander’s door, rapping lightly on the solid wood.

He opened it abruptly, and I found myself face-to-face--well, face-to-chest--with his bare skin. He was wearing nothing but a pair of soft-looking black and white tartan trousers and a matching long-sleeved shirt he hadn’t bothered to button.

An unwanted memory assaulted me of when I had awoken pressed against said chest. My cheeks reddened, and I wrenched my gaze from the defined muscles peeking out of his shirt.

Not that his face was better, when his lips were tilted up in pure arrogance.

“Did you need something, Lemmikki?” Even when he should have been innocuous standing before me in his nightclothes, he still managed to thrum with tension, reminding me that danger always lurked just below the surface.

“Yes.” The word came out a rasp, so I cleared my throat again. “Yes, I need to know what exactly your plans are, aside from keeping me locked up in that room.”