Free Siege: A Borrowed Magic Novella by Shari Lambert

though the small amount of information that had trickled into
the city didn’t offer an explanation that made sense. They only
knew Philip had amassed an army that outnumbered Kern’s. But Kern
had more than just men surrounding the city. Still, Maren knew
Philip’s deep, personal hatred for Kern. He must have found
a way. Even though she’d spent every spare moment for the past two
and a half years searching for that way – and had failed.
    She looked back at Daric. For a moment, he
only stared, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Then he
smiled.
    “We can trust Lord Philip because he’s saved
this kingdom. And we know Kern is dead because the thousands of
soldiers who now protect this city are the same soldiers who saw
Kern die. Who helped Lord Philip defeat him.”
    Daric nodded to his guard, who quickly but
kindly ushered the man out of the room.
    Everyone relaxed, they smiled, their laughs
echoed off the marble walls. Daric was right. Philip was a hero.
Old fears needed to be forgotten.
    So why couldn’t she forget?
    “Now,” Daric addressed the crowd and Maren
forced her attention away from Philip, “should we start again?
Hopefully this time without the interruption.”
    Daric once again offered Philip his sword. “I
accept your allegiance, and offer you the gratitude of a
nation.”
    The crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Daric motioned Philip to stand and then turned him to face the
room. Something Philip seemed uncomfortable with. His smile was
forced, and she could sense his eagerness for it to be over. It was
so unlike Philip, at least Philip from three years ago – popular,
charming, charismatic, winking at her from across the room.
    “You don’t seem very excited, Maren,” someone
whispered beside her.
    Lady Kira. Perhaps the last person she wanted
to deal with right now.
    Maren forced herself to remain
expressionless. “I’m as excited as everyone else.”
    Kira laughed. “You’re not a very good liar.
You always did wear your emotions on your sleeve. I’d be careful
this time, though. Things have changed. He probably won’t be the
same. You’re not the same.” She brushed a strand of honey-colored
hair back into place. “And I’m definitely not the same.”
    Maren balled her hands into fists. Kira was
right. Maybe that’s what she was so afraid of.
    Daric pulled Philip over to Adare. Maren
lowered her head further, allowing her hair to fall across her
face. Still, she couldn’t keep from staring. Now that she could see
Philip closely, the difference she’d sensed was more apparent. She
just couldn’t decide what it was.
    “May I present my second in command?” Philip
motioned the man at his side forward. “A man without whom this
victory would never have happened. Lord Teige.”
    Maren pulled her gaze from Philip and finally
glanced at the man who, until this point, she hadn’t paid attention
to. And then she couldn’t look away.
    The man was…beautiful. There really wasn’t a
better word for it. Where Philip was dark, Teige was light, with
blue eyes and hair the color of caramel. He appeared a few years
older than Philip and was half a head shorter. Not that it
mattered. He exuded a confidence that filled the space around
him.
    He bowed to Daric before taking Adare’s
outstretched hand.
    “We owe you our lives,” Adare said. “And our
gratitude.”
    “You owe me nothing. It was an honor to serve
Tredare.” Teige smiled and Maren felt the collective sigh from
every woman in the crowd.
    That magnetism only intensified as she
witnessed his conversation with their majesties and the Council.
Instead of Philip’s quiet dignity, Teige was friendly and
charismatic, asking polite questions, complimenting each person
individually. Even Lord Berk, the head of the Council and a man
known for his reserve, clapped Teige on the shoulder as they shared
a joke.
    A minute later, Adare laced her arm through
Philip’s and led him and Teige over, and Maren realized