Free Union by Annabelle Jacobs Page A

I won’t interfere with whatever orders you give him.”
    Ryneq would not impress Nykin if he tried to start telling Eldin what to do concerning him. But Nykin also had responsibilities as Ryneq’s consort. “However, I would remind you that Nykin has been invited to Alel by Prince Morkryn himself and will be accompanying me to the wedding.”
    Eldin smiled wryly but looked considerably more relaxed. “Yes, Sire. And with that in mind, I thought it prudent to have Nykin and Fimor included in the escort for the wedding party.”
    “What about the palace guard and our army?” Cerylea asked, glancing between Ryneq and Nysad.
    As king, Ryneq had the final say concerning the Torserian Army, but he left the day-to-day running of things to Nysad and his men. He was aware of Nysad’s plans, though, and gestured for him to answer the question.
    “The men already have their orders, Your Highness. Peros will accompany you on the ships as my second-in-command, while I remain here. We’ve organized a rotating patrol with the remaining dragon riders—our borders will be covered to the best of our ability. The majority of the guard will remain here to protect the palace and the surrounding villages, should we come under attack.”
    “What about you?”
    Ryneq cast an eye over Cerylea’s quarters, noting the trunk at the bottom of her bed. A padlock secured it, and Ryneq wouldn’t be surprised if it were already packed too.
    Cerylea laughed and rolled her eyes. “I’ve been ready for weeks. All I need to do is add a few more clothes now that we’re going by boat and not on horseback.”
    She pushed her chair away from the table and turned to retrieve something from the desk behind her. She placed the object in front of her, and Ryneq moved closer for a better look. From what Ryneq could see, it appeared to be a small, flat, pale blue stone.
    “What’s that?” he asked, reaching out to touch it, but Cerylea grasped his hand and shook her head.
    “Don’t. It’s called a link stone. Morkryn gave it to me after we brought you and Nykin back to the palace. It only works for my touch.”
    Ryneq raised an eyebrow at that. First the magical tracking bracelet, and now this. He wondered what else Prince Morkryn had given Cerylea that she hadn’t told him about. “What does it do, exactly?”
    She placed the stone on the palm of one hand and closed the other hand over the top. “It connects me to Prince Morkryn’s mind long enough to send a message to him.”
    “Is it safe?”
    Ryneq wasn’t sure he liked the idea of Cerylea messing with elf magic, but she fixed him with a cold expression. “Your dragon riders use magic like this all the time.”
    She had a point, but he still didn’t like it. “Fine,” he conceded. “How does it work?”
    “I just need to concentrate.”
    She closed her eyes, and everyone else in the room fell silent.
    After a few moments, a small smile tugged at the corners of Cerylea’s mouth, and Ryneq had the uncomfortable feeling that he was intruding. He pointedly looked away and saw out of the corner of his eye that both Eldin and Nysad were doing much the same.
    “All done,” Cerylea announced, standing up to put the stone back in its hiding place. “Morkryn said it will take us at least two days to reach Alel by sea, but maybe as long as four if the winds are unfavorable. If we leave the day after tomorrow, he said they’ll be ready for us by the time we arrive.”
    That was far sooner than Ryneq had expected “The day after tomorrow? That hardly leaves us enough time to—”
    “To what?” Cerylea cut in. “If we send word first thing tomorrow, the barracks at Bahkesh should have enough time to prepare the ships. Eldin and Nysad have already agreed that their men are ready. Since the elves insist on organizing the whole wedding themselves, there’s very little else we need to do.” She grinned over at him. “How long do you require for packing, Brother?”
    Ryneq ignored her but