Froi of the Exiles Read Free Page B

stopped just as they reached the top of the stairs. Froi watched the Captain’s expression change from fear to exasperation.
    ‘Her king?’
    Trevanion muttered his favourite string of curses. The Captain had spent years in a foreign prison amongst low-lifes from every kingdom of the land and at times even the Guard flinched at some of his expressions.
    A palace soldier stood outside one of the chamber doors, shrugging haplessly when he saw his captain.
    ‘I can’t control her any more than you can control him, Sir,’ he tried to say. Trevanion pushed him out of the way, knocking sharply before entering the room.
    Near the window, Finnikin stood with both hands against the wall, his head bent over her. As always, the intimacy between them made Froi ache.
    ‘I promise you,’ Finnikin said. ‘I’ve already shouted at her and used a very,
very
reprimanding tone.’
    ‘I was quivering,’ the Queen said, stepping out from behind Finnikin.
    Froi hid a grin, but Trevanion and Perri failed to hide their anger.
    Isaboe was dressed more for comfort than for style, but still she managed to take Froi’s breath away. When he had first laid eyes on her in that Sarnak alleyway, her head had been bare. Now her hair was thick and black and fell down her back, contrasting with the deep purple of her simple dress that fell loose from her shoulders.
    ‘Surround the entire inn and send away every person who does not belong to the Guard or the Mont cousins,’ Perri barked out the order to the soldier outside. Trevanion disappeared with the man.
    ‘That will make us popular,’ Finnikin said, his arm around his wife. ‘Not only have we finally decided to collect tax, but now we’re getting in the way of their drinking.’
    Isaboe caught Froi’s eye. She grabbed Finnikin’s face to reveal an already purple eye.
    ‘You?’
    Froi pointed to himself questioningly, feigning surprise and hurt.
    ‘Where are his bruises?’ she asked Finnikin.
    Froi made a scoffing sound at the thought.
    Trevanion returned to the room. ‘Where’s Jasmina?’
    ‘In the next chamber,’ the Queen said, ’and if any of you wake her, Captain, I will have to kill someone tonight.’
    ‘I need to check –’
    ‘
No
,’ both Isaboe and Finnikin spoke.
    Trevanion stared at them.
    ‘I’ll see that –’
    ‘No,’ the Queen said again. ‘You can see your granddaughter when she wakes up.’
    Trevanion looked disgruntled.
    ‘She’ll know it’s you the moment you walk in,’ Finnikin complained, ‘and she’ll think it’s a game and call out
Pardu Twevanion
all night. I’ve not slept for two years!’
    Trevanion fixed his stare on the Queen, his anger still present.
    ‘I finished the business with the Osterians earlier than predicted,’ she explained, with a sigh. ‘I thought I’d come and visit before Finnikin’s meeting with the Sarnaks. Coincidentally, Lucian is also here so I get to see my husband and my cousin. I’m very lucky in that way.’
    Finnikin and Froi laughed. Trevanion and Perri didn’t.
    ‘Where is Lucian?’ Trevanion asked.
    ‘Apparently checking the privy and mouse holes for Charynites.’
    ‘I’m glad you’re amused about the safekeeping of this family, my queen,’ Trevanion said.
    The Queen regarded him coolly and in an instant the mood in the room changed.
    ‘Not amused at all, Captain,’ she said. ’I’m never amused about the safety of our family.’
    Froi saw a flicker of regret on Trevanion’s face.
    ‘It’s just safer for you and the child to be in the palace, Isaboe,’ he said, his voice softening.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ she said with remorse. ‘But it seemed so harmless and you know what it feels like after three days speaking about mines and goats with the Osterians. It’s what keeps them protected from invasion. The ability to bore the enemy to tears.’
    There was a knock and without so much as an invitation to enter, Lucian of the Monts joined them, his stare going straight to the bruise on