“Trouble?” Eno drawled.
“A bit,” Rayne said tersely and lifted his eyebrows. “You?”
“None.”
Caelan gazed at the newcomers. Two were about the same age as Kristopher while the third was a woman who appeared to be in her thirties with a long scar on her neck. One of the younger ones seemed to have one eye swelling shut. Caelan jerked his head toward him and smirked at Eno. “Really? No trouble?”
Eno held his hands up. “Not my fault.”
“It was mine, Your Majesty,” the young man admitted, bowing to him. “I learned the hard way not to run up to the prince’s bodyguard and whisper, ‘We have the prince.’ ”
Caelan winced while Drayce burst out laughing.
“Geez, dude. Bad move. Eno’s reflexes are lightning fast. You’re lucky he didn’t strangle you to death on the spot.” His best friend cackled.
The woman approached Caelan and kneeled, pressing her fist to her heart. “Ophelia Gladstone, former private in His Majesty’s Royal Army…and former lieutenant for the Hollowind Police.”
“A pleasure, Ms. Gladstone. Am I correct in believing that I have you and your men to thank for the rescue today?”
“We are just trying to do our part to protect Erya, Your Majesty.”
Caelan’s hand trembled as he slowly reached out and placed his hand on the top of Gladstone’s head. It was something he’d seen his mother do countless times to officers presenting themselves to her. It was seen as a blessing from the crown and the Godstone. As a child, he’d longed for this moment, but as an adult, he found his mind shying away, wondering if he was truly worthy of this devotion. Or even if it would mean anything to the former soldier.
“We thank you for your service and protection,” Caelan said softly as his fingers lightly pressed into her silken-brown hair.
Under his touch, Gladstone released a soft, shuddering sigh, some of the tension in her shoulders falling away. “It is my honor, Your Majesty.”
Caelan lifted his hand and stepped back. He glanced over at Rayne to find his advisor standing a little straighter, the faint hint of an approving smile on his lips. Maybe it didn’t matter if he was ready or worthy of all the dressings that came with being the king. He had to play the part to hold his people together. Only time and his actions would prove whether he was worthy of their devotion.
“Please rise, Ms. Gladstone. I’m hoping you can fill us in on what you’ve heard about the happenings in Erya as well as help us on our way.”
Ophelia’s head snapped up and she rose to her feet. Her expression was open and earnest, reminding Caelan of her younger companion, Kristopher. “Anything we can do to help you.”
“We need a car.”
Eno lifted a hand, catching his eye. “I didn’t have time, but they’ve sent a couple of their men to procure one and gas it up.”
“And supplies,” Caelan continued.
“We can help with that. If you would give us a list of your needs.”
Caelan glanced at Eno and then Rayne. “Actually, it might be faster if I send Eno and Drayce with your people.”
“You sure?” Drayce inquired and Caelan could see Eno rolling his eyes behind his friend.
Caelan gave him a pointed look that silenced any further questions from Drayce. “Yes. Get supplies. Stay out of trouble.”
“There should be no trouble, Your Majesty,” Kristopher chimed in. “We’ve cleared the Empire from the town. It’ll be at least another day or two at the earliest before they can send in replacements.”
“Good. Go now and hurry back,” Caelan instructed.
Drayce and Eno dropped their packs but took their weapons. Gladstone instructed the three young men to leave with Drayce and Eno so that she was the only one left with the king and his advisor.
Ophelia hurried over to drag around crates for Caelan and Rayne after a quick introduction. The poor woman spent a few seconds muttering about not being suitable for royalty, and Caelan could only smile. They’d already camped in the Ordas. This dirty old room was a definite step up and felt considerably safer.
“If I might ask, Your Majesty, are you all right?” Ophelia inquired cautiously. She kept her eyes lowered as if she were afraid to meet Caelan’s gaze.
“Yes, I’m quite fine. My companions and your men kept me perfectly safe.”
“No, I meant…from Sirelis.” She chanced a look up, and her eyes darted away again. “There were some grainy pictures taken of the battle in Sirelis a week ago. It…it appeared as if you were flying. As if you’d taken out the entire Empire fleet.”
Caelan’s eyes shot to Rayne, who was staring skyward as if searching for strength and patience.
“Well, that answers the question of whether word of the fighting has been leaked,” Rayne grumbled.
“So, it was you!”
Caelan bit the inside of his mouth as he sorted through a variety of things he could possibly say. Nothing sounded good in his head, and he simply wasn’t ready to reveal to all the world that there were six godstones with matching gods who had been asleep for millennia.