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Free The Princes Bound [The Princes Book 1] by Robin Danner Page B
Authors: Robin Danner
woman to travel there alone?"
Talin laughed without humor. “You'd better not let Nadia hear you say that. She would have your head!"
Mathis was well aware that the woman was a soldier and a quite capable one, but he was reluctant to allow his brother send her away.
"Hugh would be quite disappointed. She is helping him prepare for the archery contest."
Talin lifted an inquiring eyebrow, and Mathis rushed to explain. “He told me so during our ride yesterday."
"So who would you have me send then?” Talin was clearly amused by his weak ploy to keep Nadia at N'ior.
"The recruits you sent with Nadia to kidnap me. They appeared well trained and could easily handle any problems that arise.” His eyes narrowed in warning. “I am still displeased with you for having me abducted, by the way."
"I know you are. I am sorry.” Talin waved a hand. “It will be as you wish. I will instruct Nadia to send her men as soon as possible."
Mathis noted the weariness on his brother's face. The toll of constant uprisings had to be considerable.
"I have to write a letter to my advisors. Have you heard anything else about the rebels that I can share with them?"
"The attack at Wainswright is all the information we have at the moment. As soon as I learn more, I will let you know."
Even though his kingdom had yet to be attacked, Mathis could relate to the constant fear for his people's well-being. To actually know people had died because others objected to him being in power was surely wearing heavily on Talin's mind. “What do you plan to do about them?"
Talin leaned his head back to rest it against the back of his chair. “I've kept it under control without declaring an all-out war. I'd hoped allying myself with Roarke would be enough. Few should be willing to take on Noventia and Bevelaire, but these damned attacks continue!"
It was the first time that Talin had voiced his concerns to him. Whatever their differences, Talin was still his brother. He hated the despair in his brother's voice.
Mathis crossed the room and put his hand on Talin's shoulder. “You are not at fault. Who knows what madness the rebels are thinking by attacking innocent villagers? But I will support you whatever you choose."
Talin nodded. “Thank you. I should go send word to Nadia.” He lifted himself out of the chair and then paused. “Unless you prefer to do it yourself?"
Mathis snorted as his brother wriggled his eyebrows suggestively. He did not bother to deny his interest in Talin's captain. “She refuses to see me."
Talin saluted him with his glass. “Good luck with that. She can be quite stubborn when she sets her mind to it."
"Believe me, I know.” Mathis heaved a sigh.
"After that, I'm off to woo my bride. You are not the only one with female troubles.” Talin's voice was light, but Mathis sensed an undercurrent of determination.
His brother was definitely up to something, but damned if he knew what it was.
It was another beautiful night. Nadia slipped outside and took a deep breath of the rose-scented air. Stones crunched under her feet as she cut across the courtyard and skirted the edge of the garden.
She'd stayed late at the palace to give last minute instructions to her recruits as they prepared for their journey to Wainswright. How Nadia wished she was going with them.
She'd asked Talin if she could join them, but he claimed he needed her to stay in N'ior. She couldn't be completely sure, but she suspected Mathis had something to do with Talin's refusal.
Luckily she'd been sane enough to not question Talin about it. There would be no end to his teasing if he'd known a man had gotten close enough to unsettle her.
Did she really want to know the truth? If Mathis had interfered with her career, she should be upset, but her subconscious argued that she would secretly be pleased that she didn't have to leave him yet.
The royals had gone in to dinner about fifteen minutes earlier. To avoid an accidental encounter, she'd
Talin laughed without humor. “You'd better not let Nadia hear you say that. She would have your head!"
Mathis was well aware that the woman was a soldier and a quite capable one, but he was reluctant to allow his brother send her away.
"Hugh would be quite disappointed. She is helping him prepare for the archery contest."
Talin lifted an inquiring eyebrow, and Mathis rushed to explain. “He told me so during our ride yesterday."
"So who would you have me send then?” Talin was clearly amused by his weak ploy to keep Nadia at N'ior.
"The recruits you sent with Nadia to kidnap me. They appeared well trained and could easily handle any problems that arise.” His eyes narrowed in warning. “I am still displeased with you for having me abducted, by the way."
"I know you are. I am sorry.” Talin waved a hand. “It will be as you wish. I will instruct Nadia to send her men as soon as possible."
Mathis noted the weariness on his brother's face. The toll of constant uprisings had to be considerable.
"I have to write a letter to my advisors. Have you heard anything else about the rebels that I can share with them?"
"The attack at Wainswright is all the information we have at the moment. As soon as I learn more, I will let you know."
Even though his kingdom had yet to be attacked, Mathis could relate to the constant fear for his people's well-being. To actually know people had died because others objected to him being in power was surely wearing heavily on Talin's mind. “What do you plan to do about them?"
Talin leaned his head back to rest it against the back of his chair. “I've kept it under control without declaring an all-out war. I'd hoped allying myself with Roarke would be enough. Few should be willing to take on Noventia and Bevelaire, but these damned attacks continue!"
It was the first time that Talin had voiced his concerns to him. Whatever their differences, Talin was still his brother. He hated the despair in his brother's voice.
Mathis crossed the room and put his hand on Talin's shoulder. “You are not at fault. Who knows what madness the rebels are thinking by attacking innocent villagers? But I will support you whatever you choose."
Talin nodded. “Thank you. I should go send word to Nadia.” He lifted himself out of the chair and then paused. “Unless you prefer to do it yourself?"
Mathis snorted as his brother wriggled his eyebrows suggestively. He did not bother to deny his interest in Talin's captain. “She refuses to see me."
Talin saluted him with his glass. “Good luck with that. She can be quite stubborn when she sets her mind to it."
"Believe me, I know.” Mathis heaved a sigh.
"After that, I'm off to woo my bride. You are not the only one with female troubles.” Talin's voice was light, but Mathis sensed an undercurrent of determination.
His brother was definitely up to something, but damned if he knew what it was.
It was another beautiful night. Nadia slipped outside and took a deep breath of the rose-scented air. Stones crunched under her feet as she cut across the courtyard and skirted the edge of the garden.
She'd stayed late at the palace to give last minute instructions to her recruits as they prepared for their journey to Wainswright. How Nadia wished she was going with them.
She'd asked Talin if she could join them, but he claimed he needed her to stay in N'ior. She couldn't be completely sure, but she suspected Mathis had something to do with Talin's refusal.
Luckily she'd been sane enough to not question Talin about it. There would be no end to his teasing if he'd known a man had gotten close enough to unsettle her.
Did she really want to know the truth? If Mathis had interfered with her career, she should be upset, but her subconscious argued that she would secretly be pleased that she didn't have to leave him yet.
The royals had gone in to dinner about fifteen minutes earlier. To avoid an accidental encounter, she'd