Page 101 of Crimson Kingdom
“And it certainly isn’t a coincidence that he waited until I was here,” Evander said bitterly. “Not only was I unable to interfere, but we haven’t yet finalized our marriage in Socair.”
“Theo must have sent word when he left,” I added. “That must be why Iiro made his move, knowing he had no chance of allying with us now.”
“Which still leaves the questions of why and how. I need to get back to find out and--” He shot me a look that made dread pool in my core.
“No.” I said the word firmly before he could suggest what I knew he was about to.
He did it anyway.
“If he wants to stop this alliance, the last thing we can do is show up just as he expects us to with a target all but painted on your back.”
“I am not staying here while you go back to Socair, back in danger,” I protested.
“I’m not in any danger,” he said calmly. “He isn’t going to infuriate the other clans by harming an heir.”
“Or a clan wife,” I pointed out.
“Which you aren’t yet,” he reminded me.
“So, all I need to do is stay safe until then. We can get married right after I get back. It will be fine.” Panic edged my voice, and he put a hand over mine.
“You might not make it past the border at this rate, Lemmikki.” Frustration crept into his tone.
“Even Iiro isn’t brash enough to risk the wrath of Lochlann,” I shot back.
“Iiro doesn’t care about anyone but his own family,” Evander countered. “All he needs to do is close the tunnel and Lochlann would have to go through Bear and Wolf just to get to him. Even if I could work around my father’s orders, Wolf is never going to stand by and allow Lochlann to march through their territory, and Iiro has plenty of allies to further bar the way.”
“So, what?” I demanded. “You just want me to sit here in a bubble while my husband goes back to a war? What happened to fighting at your side?”
“There is no war yet,” he argued. “And no, I don’t expect you to sit here indefinitely.”
“What do you propose?” my mother cut in, signaling for me to be silent. “It sounds like you have a plan.”
I glared at her, and she gave me a hard look in response.
Evander took a deep breath. “We finalized the trade agreement. If I have a two-week head start, I can make sure everything is put in motion to assure safe passage for the caravans. No one is going to decline trade with Lochlann again when their people need food, not to mention, the agreed-upon dowry will be coming through.”
My parents were nodding thoughtfully, and I clenched my fists into my skirts.
“In the meantime,” Evander said. “I can ensure our wedding comes together. Our marriage is hardly a secret, but as long as no one knows where Rowan is—” He looked at me pointedly. “—they won’t be able to interfere. She can come in with one of several caravans, so she won’t be the only Lochlannian in the area, and she can arrive just in time for the wedding.”
“No,” I said again.
“Rowan,” Da’ cut in.
“No.” I shook my head.
“It’s a good plan, mo bhobain.” He gave Evander a nod of respect.
I didn’t care, though, because the tingling on my spine felt like more than the weather right now. It felt foreboding, and I couldn’t help but think that this was what was going to set everything Rayan hinted at in motion.
“Rowan.” Evander’s rare use of my name snapped me out of my spiraling trance. He held my gaze with his own stormy one. “There is no other way. I told you before that I trusted you. I need you to trust me now.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, emotions overwhelming me in waves I could barely make sense of.
“Two weeks,” I gritted out. “And not a single day longer. Promise me.”
If I was two weeks behind him for a six-week trip, already, that would be two months apart. Ihatedthis plan.