Page 66 of Hollow Court

Just when I worried she would draw attention to it, Jocelyn continued in a casual voice.

“Actually, I think it might be better if Oliver writes to him as well. We’ll send an official announcement, explain the situation and request that he resolve the matter with your uncle. I’m sure we could make it clear that it’s in his best interest to do so.” The way she worded that, I wasn’t sure if they would be subtly incentivizing him or not-so-subtly threatening him.

I forced myself to breathe, in, then out, forced my tone to be as nonchalant as hers was. “Yes, I think that would be better.”

I wasn’t sure if that was true or not. Perhaps he would accept it, or Nils would force him to. But Wolf’s pride was stronger than their practicality, and there was every chance this would only incense them more.

One way or another, he was going to find out what I had done, if he hadn’t already.

And one way or another, he was going to be furious about it.

* * *

It feltlike hours before Davin led me back to my rooms, though in reality, it was only another few minutes. After we dealt with the issues in Socair, he told me about the traitors.

Dread settled into my gut.

It was one thing, knowing an assassin might be after me. Another to know that if we had done things differently, if Davin hadn’t talked me into switching with Gwyn, I very well may be dead by now.

Between that and the letters we had just sent out, I was so on edge that I came to a dead halt when I spotted two hulking men outside my door. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

Belatedly, I remembered what Davin had said about the guards.

“Ewan and Hamish,” he said quietly, his hand on my lower back prodding me into motion once again. “Since there are men stationed around Lithlinglau, they’ll switch off guard, but one of them will be here and available to accompany you at all times.”

He made introductions when we were closer.

“Thank you, sirs,” I told them both.

“Did ye hear that, Ewan? She called us sirs.” The shorter guard’s accent was thick and rolling, the same I had heard from the villagers on our way in.

“That’s only because she doesn’t know you well enough to call youthat eejit over there,” the other man, presumably Ewan, responded.

His accent was closer to Davin’s, though not quite as posh.

Though I appreciated the gesture of guards, I couldn’t help but wonder how these were any more trustworthy than the ones he had caught today. Like he had read my mind, Davin elaborated on his introduction.

“Ewan was once part of Rowan’s personal guard, much to his eternal dismay,” he smiled as he reflected on some inside joke there. “And Hamish fought alongside my father during the war. I trust them both with my life.”

The men stood a little taller at the praise.

“I have business to attend to tonight,” he said, gesturing to the guard on the right. “Ewan will be accompanying me, but Hamish will be here if you need anything.”

“All right,” I said with a small dip of my head.

What kind of business did he have at this hour? Before I could decide whether it was my place to ask, he expounded.

“I need to question the traitors we found today.” His features were guarded, like perhaps he was expecting censure, but I had none to offer him.

His job was to protect his people, and I wasn’t naïve enough to believe that didn’t get messy sometimes.

If there was one thing I knew about Davin, it was that he did what he needed to do.

For better or worse.

The Dilemma

DAVIN