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different to me, cousin. What’s changed?”

      “I’m a grown man now.”

      “That’s not what I meant. There’s something in your eyes that tells me something in your life has changed.”

      “I don’t know what you mean.”

      The door opened and Emerick walked in carrying a tray of glasses, a decanter of wine and a plate of cheese and bread. He set them on the table sitting between them and smiled at Ruan.

      “Emerick, you old goat. How in the hell are you?” Ruan jumped up and embraced Emerick with as much vivacity as he had when he was a boy.

      When they parted, Emerick held Ruan at arms length to get a better look at him. “For a man with multiple responsibilities, you don’t look a bit older than you did when I saw you last.”

      “Aging isn’t something I want to do at all, but if I must, gracefully is the better option. The ladies don’t seem to complain about it.”

      “I would think not. Is there a certain one?”

      “One? Emerick now you jest.”

      “You’ve not settled down yet, Ruan?”

      “Don’t even say things like that, Emerick. I just got a chill, and it isn’t from the damp leggings I’m still wearing either. Besides, I don’t know of any woman that has captured and ensnared the untamable Dainard Llewelyn either.” Emerick tossed Dain a look which he thought would be unnoticeable, but Ruan caught the exchange just the same. “What secrets do you hide from your cousin, Dain?” He shot him a look, then Emerick again, trying to get one of them to answer.

      Emerick answered, “I will let you two alone. I’m sure there are lots of things you need to catch up on.” He took the tray, which he had brought the food and drink in on, and placed it under his arm. He shot Dain another look, and left the room, closing the doors behind him.

      Ruan sat back down next to Dain in front of the fire. Dain poured a drink and handed it to his cousin, then took one for himself. He stared into the flames and was quiet. Ruan took a couple of sips of his wine, grabbed a hunk of bread and cheese and started to nibble. He waited, giving his king an opportunity to tell him what he wanted to know, then gave up. “Who is she, Dain?”

      “Who?”

      “The woman who obviously has you wrapped around her finger.”

      Dain looked at his cousin smiling. “I’m not wrapped around her finger. If anything, she’s wrapped around my heart.”

      “I knew it. You do look different, and now I know the reason. You’ve fallen in love.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe it. I never thought you’d cave, cousin.”

      “I didn’t cave, Ruan. I just grew up.”

      They were silent again for a few more minutes, drinking their ale and warming themselves, but Ruan couldn’t stand it.

      “She must be extraordinary to have ensnared you. Who is she? Some nobleman’s daughter? A countess? Who? I will not let you evade my questions. I’ll torment you until you spill. You know that I will.”

      Dain smiled. “Alright, cousin. But it’s a long story.”

      “I, for one, have nothing better to do for awhile. How about you?”

      Dain proceeded to tell Ruan about everything that had happened in the year that had passed. Ruan didn’t speak, only drank his fill of ale and ate his fill of food, listening with rapt attention to every detail Dain spoke about. They talked well into the night, and Dain and Ruan caught up on the last eleven years they had missed in each other’s lives. Despite what Ruan said, Dain could tell that he was jealous of his happiness. He, too, wanted to find the right woman; he just didn’t have anyone close enough to get him to see the mistakes that were preventing him from doing so. Someone like Alek. Ruan was a well-respected knight in the duke’s army and an earl, with a large household which he handled with fairness and equality. Dain was proud of all that his cousin had accomplished and didn’t really fault him for not finding a lady to settle down with. Having that many responsibilities didn’t give him a whole lot of time to find someone, or enough time to give them the attention they would undoubtedly deserve. Dain felt bad for Ruan. His cousin was a fine upstanding man; he had a tremendous amount of great qualities, not to mention his strikingly good looks. Dain had always thought Ruan had the better physical attributes, but Dain had just been better with his tongue. He could woo a maiden into doing anything, and in that respect, Ruan was more a winning guy, Dain a scoundrel.

      “Wow. I guess I have missed a lot since I’ve been away. I meant what I said earlier; you do look different. You look happy. When do I get to meet her?”

      “Soon I hope. I hope she’ll be back soon. I miss her.”

      “You sure know how to pick them.”

      Dain shrugged, blushing slightly. “Well I didn’t really know who she was until after I fell in love with her. There were rumors, but…” He shrugged again, leaving the implication hanging in the air.

      “I only heard the rumors a couple of months ago. Danyl is a bit far and secluded to be readily able to keep apprised of the latest goings-on. I never would have guessed that you and she would find each other. What are the odds?”

      “Small, but obviously not too small. I, for one, am extremely happy things happened the way they did, but sad that I can’t predict what the outcome will be.”

      “No one can predict that, but I’d like to think we will endure.”

      “You were always the optimist.”

      “You were too. You’ve just had a lot of responsibility set on your shoulders, and that can make optimism more difficult to maintain. Being king of an entire province can surely weigh you down. I think with her by your side, the burden will become easier in time.”

      Dain smiled at his cousin. “You’ve become a philosopher in your adulthood, Ruan.”

      “Nah.” He shrugged. “Just a bit wiser. Come on, cousin. I think it’s time we hit the hay. You have a lot to update me on tomorrow, and I have a lot to help you plan.”

      Dain reached over and touched Ruan on the shoulder, squeezing it. “I’m glad you’re here, Ruan. I can’t think of anyone else I’d like at my side when we go to war.”

      “I’ve always had your back, cousin. I don’t intend to stop now, Sire.”

      They finished off their drinks and went to their respective rooms to sleep off the drink of their catching up. Tomorrow they would begin their campaign.

      CHAPTER 2

      Alban Thorne paced around his war room and mumbled to himself. He was going over all the different scenarios in his head of what the best course of action would be so that the city stayed free of Fallon and his army. The Triple Cities were gone, and it was up to him and his small garrison to fortify the docks so Fallon’s army didn’t make it into the city.

      The young man who had brought the dispatch a month prior was still in his care, and he watched Alban pace now, face neutral. The young man seemed to understand what Alban was doing, having spent many a year with his grandfather who had served in the army of King Colwyn in Azlyn.

      Alban stopped short suddenly and faced Maddon, eyes not really looking at him, but rather looking through him to something only he could see. He finally snapped out of his dream state and looked at Maddon now, eyes alert.

      “I think I have the answer. Please run and get Pter and Decklan and ask them to join me. You return as well. This concerns you too.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      Maddon left the room and headed down the hall and out into the bailey. He approached the group of guards that were practicing in the arena and waited until the row was finished before getting any closer. He knew better than to step into

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