Free Knightly Bonds 1: Their Majesties' Knight by Sunny Day

Arin.”
    “He sleeps with his queen. And we all know that Galena isn’t happy with our lord and master. She dislikes staying with him. ”
    Indignation flared inside Galena. Don’t presume to know my mind , I love Arin. We may have misunderstandings occasionally, but I won’t give him up. He is mine.
    Morel laughed. “It doesn’t matter. If we let Lan go, he will go straight to Arin. Galena may not,” he said, giving her a speculative glance, “but he will. The White Lion, unfailingly honorable.”
    Lan glanced at her. So they think I’m cheating on Arin with Lan? They have no idea we are all together. How is that possible? Madagar should know, she is a sorceress and Moira’s friend. Bardian is among the court, too. But how and why didn’t matter now. They didn’t know. I wonder if we can use this somehow…
    “Not so honorable after all,” Madagar said. “We should just kill them both.”
    “Don’t be so hasty, sister dear. Cousin Arin is going to notice his queen and his most loyal knight have disappeared. We don’t want to draw his attention. Not yet.”
    “We can tell him they eloped together. Everyone in the palace knows they are sleeping together.”
    “Arin doesn’t. To put it simply, he won’t believe us.” Morel frowned. “No, we have to find another way.”
    “Take them with us,” Bardian suggested. “We could use them as leverage.”
    “I think you are right, my friend. They are extremely valuable hostages.” Morel clapped Bardian on the shoulder.
    “We will have to move right now then,” the other guy said, frowning at Morel.
    “We don’t have the choice,” Morel answered shortly.
    “Madagar, take care of them.”
    Galena’s last thought, before magic surged through her, was that Arin needed to know this. Pain exploded through her head. She gripped Lan’s shoulders, holding on to him even as she slipped into blackness.

    * * * *

    Arin listened to the page reading a report from the man governing one of his eastern countries. Next to him, Garen appeared to be wishing he was somewhere else. Arin eyed him with amusement. Garen was a fine warrior, but he had no patience for many things needed for governing the land.
    Truth to be told, Arin himself was somewhat distracted today, his attention waning. He perked when a page he sent earlier with a message showed in the doorway. He raised his hand to stop the reading. “Wait, Feor. Well, what is it?”
    “Majesty, the queen and Sir Lan aren’t yet back,” the page reported. Arin stifled his disappointment. He glanced at the long windows to his left. The shadows were lengthening. It was late in the afternoon, and he had fully expected them to be back. Galena enjoyed outings, and Lan would indulge her, but still...
    “Thank you. Inform me immediately when they return. Feor, you can continue.”
    Garen frowned then leaned toward his king. “They are not back?”
    “Apparently not.”
    “That’s strange.”
    Arin snorted. “No, I don’t think Galena escaped.” He grinned. “She wouldn’t do that to Lan.”
    “I didn’t think so. It’s just…shouldn’t they be back already?”
    The huge double doors banged noisily against the wall. The pages froze, and Arin’s guards craned their necks to see who dared disturb the king. Arin knew of only one person who would dare to do it. Moira rushed into the room, stalking toward Arin.
    “She looks angry,” Garen said next to his ear. Arin glanced at him. The knight was giving his sister an admiring glance. The fire in his eyes matched the one in her, though its origin was different.
    “Hello, Moira.”
    Her black gaze fell on him, and he felt his amusement dry off. Something was wrong. He half rose from his chair. “Moira.”
    She screamed, the sound filled with frustration and despair. Anger was pouring off her in waves.
    “I don’t have it!”
    She dropped to the floor. Arin hurried toward her, Garen following closely.
    “Calm down.” Arin knelt next to his sister and took