A Royal Rebellion Read Online Free PDF Page B

“but since every time I suggest you stay behind with Percy, you claim it’s safer if we stay together…”
    “Because it is!” Edward hissed, stopping in the middle of the market, glaring over Percy’s head at Reynard, who stopped as well. Percy bit his lip and looked nervously between the two big men, wondering if he should worry about ducking. “I may know how to shoot a gun, and throw a punch, but I’m no defense for my mate if we’re cornered by the royal guards, and you know it! So yes, we need to stay together, because you are his best chance at surviving this, I’ll not have us separated again!”
    Reynard’s brows went up at that declaration, dark blue eyes calming, and his gaze searching as he looked at the prince. Percy slid his hand to rest on Edward’s side, feeling how hard his lover was breathing, how tense he was, so taut he trembled. Edward was beyond stressed.
    Reynard stepped so close to Edward that Percy was pressed between them, his back to Edward’s chest, Reynard firm and strong along his front. Percy shivered, not entirely certain he disliked where he was, but Edward was ready to snap, so he held very still and waited.
    “My prince,” Reynard said softly, looking Edward in the eye, forcing Percy to tip his head back at his proximity, “If you trust me to keep your mate safe, even above yourself, then please, please trust that I can care for you both, and that I know what I’m doing. If I say it’s safe for us to separate, then trust me. If I say we need to stay together, then we will. In Court, Palace, and country estate, you know best and are master. Yet out here, in the wilds of the common lands, follow my lead. Do you think you can do that?”
    Percy couldn’t see Edward’s face, but after a moment he felt Edward nod, his tense frame slowly relaxing. Edward put his hands on Percy’s shoulders, and turned him from Reynard, pressing his face to his chest. Reynard was still at Percy’s back, the heat from both men in the cold winter air comforting and stimulating at the same time. Percy snuggled into Edward, relieved that the tension seemed to be dissipating for now.
    Reynard put a hand to the back of Percy’s head, tousling his long hair affectionately before stepping away, leaving his back exposed to the cold elements. Edward hugged him for a moment more, but then tugged him to follow after the captain as he cut through the meager crowd in the square.
    The sign soon appeared for The Discontent Noble, and Percy giggled at the picture of a finely dressed man sitting on a crooked stool, his beer stein spilling, and a cranky expression on his features. Reynard pointed to a nearby recess in a wall, and Edward guided Percy there, turning them away from any curious eyes of those passing by on the street while Reynard entered the pub.
    Percy kissed Edward’s jaw, doing it again until Edward gave him a small smile and hugged him close.
     
    ***
    Arianna
     
    Arianna smiled down at her son, little Airric suckling from his bottle with a self-righteous determination. He was as demanding as his siblings, yet somehow she knew that though he was youngest, he would be the ringleader in childhood adventures. Only a few months old, and he watched the world with wise eyes, and his cries for changings and feedings were enough to send the nursery staff running to tend to him.
    The day was cold, winter blustering outside the palace walls, the weather keeping the Court subdued and in their private quarters. Usually at this time of day Arianna would be with Malcolm, leisurely strolling the halls of the palace, making sure to be seen. Yet the weather and the twisted tale Mason told her days before drove her here, surrounded by her children and nieces and nephews.
    Camilla, Mason’s wife, was in the far corner, scolding her oldest son of seven years for failing to do something or other, and Arianna frowned, turning her shoulder so she didn’t have to watch. Camilla was a horrid woman. She came to the