Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

“And drove them out.” Sadness colored her voice.

She always felt so deeply. Some called her cool, but she was never that. Especially behind closed doors. He’d seen her ranting and crying plenty of times.

Right now, he watched her hand ball into a fist, a fierce look on her face.

“The Gek’Dragar have to be stopped. The Oronis drove them back once, but now, they want to fight, kill, take, and cause chaos and destruction like this.” She waved at the wall.

“They believe fighting makes them stronger.”

She whirled. “It’s taking care of your people—your young and old, your weak and sick—that makes you strong. The Oronis are about duty, service. That is strength, not the ability to wield a weapon.”

“I know.”

She shot him a rueful smile. “I’m preaching to someone who lives and breathes the Oronis creed.” She gripped his forearm. “You are the most loyal, noble man I’ve ever met.”

He felt the heat of her touch. He still was unsteady on his feet, and it made it hard to fight the pull she had over him.

She is your queen. Don’t forget that.

He dragged in a deep breath and made himself look back at the walls. “Our ancestors fought the brutal wars of Gammis III to defeat the Gek’Dragar. Many knights died.”

Carys straightened. “They died heroes. They believed in their creed, believed in protecting their people.”

Sten nodded. “Every Oronis knight will stand behind their queen without question. I’ll be the first.”

Soon, the art stopped, and sadness deepened on Carys’ face. He wanted to hold her, soothe her.

His hand flexed.

“I’m guessing the sun must be setting by now,” she said.

He nodded. Hopefully the Gek’Dragar wouldn’t prowl at night with so many beasts out.

“Let’s find somewhere we can bed down for the night,” he said.

They moved on, pushing through cobwebs.

He heard a chittering noise and the flutter of wings. He paused.

“Carys.” He pulled her back against him.

Small bat-like creatures came out of the darkness. They were tiny, with fluffy bodies, and cute wings. They flitted around them, catching at Carys’ hair. He tried to wave them away until she laughed.

“They mean no harm.”

His jaw was tight. He wasn’t as quick to trust as she was.

The creatures disappeared back into the darkness. A moment later, the tunnel opened up.

“Oh, my stars,” Carys murmured.

It was a huge, circular cavern. The ceiling disappeared high above, and, in the distance, he saw faint light. Probably an opening to the sky. Then he looked down.

“Be careful,” he warned.

She moved the lantern, highlighting that they weren’t far from the edge of a massive hole.

The light didn’t go far, and Sten got the sense of a gigantic, endless chasm.