CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE SCOUT

It had been over two months since Ivy left and almost a month back, Rayner turned twenty, and the whole kingdom celebrated his name day. The day had been freezing and dark, but spirits were high as men and women prepared for the young prince’s celebration. It wasn’t as massive as the Feast of Winter since Lord Kevan and his family had departed, back to the Twisted Tower. He needed to get back and protect his own home—the raiders had already made threats to take his kingdom.

Just after Lord Kevan’s party left, Earl Rorik did the same. His home was much closer to Godstone than the Twisted Tower was, however, and the earl offered his allegiance to Magnus and said he’d be happy to return should his friend need him. Earl Rorik never passed up a good battle, and it would only take him a few days to make the trip back.

Lady Oharra and her men decided to stay longer. Grey Raven lay farther north, and the lady wasn’t so concerned about raiders traveling that far--not when Godstone was closer and could be taken first. However, she kept enough warriors back home to protect the elderly and children that resided there. Magnus was grateful for her help with many strong young men and women in her army; together, they were a great force. Rayner was pleased as well that Correlyn was staying. The two had grown closer since their visit to Hideaway Harbor.

Rayner and Correlyn were seated together upon the dais during his name day celebration. Correlyn dressed in an elegant dark green gown that covered her feet. Black lace ran down the gown’s sleeves, which flared out at her wrists, and her hair was pinned up in a braid, decorated with silver beads. Rayner dressed in his best doublet, white as fresh snow, and slashed with red and gold.

He brushed his dark auburn hair back and hung his sword from a belt that was embellished with onyx. As the feast began, Magnus watched his son leaning close to Correlyn, whispering things to her and making her laugh. It made him smile to see his son so happy.

After the food had been served, Magnus asked his wife to dance. Elana’s beauty was timeless, and Magnus still felt his heart flutter when she was near. He pulled her in close, feeling the warmth from her body as the two moved as one around the hall.

“How do you think our daughter is doing?” Elana spoke into his ear.

“I’m positive that she’s fine, my love.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because she has your wisdom, of course,” Magnus said with a smile.

Then, Rayner and Correlyn joined the dancing as well, though they were clumsy, tripping over each other. Magnus chuckled and turned to Elana, who watched the young couple as well.

“What do you think of them?” he asked. She smiled as she watched the two giggling at their poor dancing skills. “I think they make a handsome couple.”

“I don’t know that they’re a couple yet,” Magnus said.

“But you told me what happened in Hideaway Harbor between them.”

“I don’t know anything for sure. I didn’t ask.”

“Well, I know,” Elana proclaimed.

Magnus pulled back to look at her. “How can you know?”

She brushed his hair back from his forehead. “Because I see things you don’t. And I see the way she looks at our son.”

Magnus smiled softly, caressed her cheek, and kissed her deeply as the music played on and dancers moved around them.

When the feast began to wind down, and men were getting drunk enough to start the inevitable fighting, Rayner led Correlyn out of the Hall. The two walked closely together through the snowy path that led to the stables. Rayner still struggled a little to get on his horse after he’d broken his arm in Temple City. His arm had healed since then, though it felt weaker because he hadn’t used it much.

They mounted up and set off through the gates, racing each other toward the forest. The night was clear and crisp. The snow had let up, and the moon was almost full, though a freezing wind was coming from the south.

The two stopped their horses just outside the Blackwoods and got down to tie them off. They walked along the edge of the forest, Rayner stealing glances at Correlyn. She caught him looking, and he quickly turned his head to hide his blushing cheeks. Rayner hadn’t kissed Correlyn again since Hideaway Harbor. He wasn’t sure that starting a relationship with her was a good idea. They were in the middle of a war, and she lived farther north and would eventually return.

That night at the inn, he’d denied his own desires. The two only shared a bed together and nothing else. Rayner explained that he didn’t want it to happen that way--not when he was drunk and injured. She seemed to understand and didn’t hold it against him. However, she had restrained from touching him too often ever since. Rayner cared about Correlyn a lot and wanted more, but he was hesitant about it.

The wind was picking up, and Correlyn shivered against its cold bite. Rayner unhooked his fur cloak and moved to drape it over her shoulders, quickly retreating when she turned her face up to his. Her eyes appeared black in the gray light cast down from the moon’s glow.

“Rayner,” his name on her lips made his heart skip, “what are you thinking?”

He shoved his hands deep in his pockets and kept walking along the woodline. “I’m thinking about how you’ll need to return home soon...” He hesitated for a moment. “And how I don’t want to see you leave.” He kept his eyes on the snow at his feet, but he could feel Correlyn watching him.

“I was thinking the same,” she admitted.

Rayner’s heart fluttered, and he spoke before his courage left him. “Don’t go,” he said, turning to face her. “My father can take you in as his ward.”

She reached out to touch his cheek, and her hand was surprisingly warm. “I don’t think my mother would allow it,” she said with a faint smile, but it was sad.

Rayner furrowed his brow. “Why not?”

“My mother is very protective of me. She wouldn’t like the idea of being separated from me.”

“But you’d be safe. My father wouldn’t let anything happen to you. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He reached for her hand that rested on his cheek. “Let me talk to my father before we go to your mother.”

She nodded her head and withdrew her hand, staring at the ground between them.

Rayner lifted her chin to meet her eyes, which were filled with shiny tears. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I’ll fight for you to stay if that’s what you want,” he said softly against her ear.

“I do want to stay,” Correlyn replied. The two came apart, but then Rayner leaned in closer to kiss her. She moved to meet his lips, only a breath away before a distant whinny of a horse turned their attention. It was too dark to see, but it looked to be only one horseman. They ran back to their horses, saddled up, and rushed to catch up with the horse that was headed for the gate.

They flanked the lone horse from the left and noticed that the rider’s head was hanging down, and his back seemed stiff. Rayner pulled his horse in front to stop it and yelled to the rider, who didn’t respond. He swung down off his horse and drew his sword.

“Who are you?” he called out. Still, the rider didn’t answer, and Rayner approached him cautiously as Correlyn pulled her sword. He stood below the man and noticed dried blood crusting his coat. When Rayner shook the man, he fell from his horse and crashed into the snow. He was dead, and a branch had been tied to his back to keep him upright on the horse.

Correlyn came closer to see and gasped as Rayner pulled the man’s hood back. “That’s one of my mother’s scouts. His name was Pollock.”

“Do you know where your mother stationed him?”

“On the east coast, below the town of Ashton.”

Rayner noticed a letter pinned to the man’s coat and took it out to read it. His eyes grew wide.

“What is it?” Correlyn asked impatiently.

“We need to find my father.”