Chapter 26

“You’re going with him,” Bryce stated abruptly.

Taden’s heart pounded. “If he’ll have me.”

Bryce’s eyes flashed and an unexpected grin tugged the corner of his mouth. “I expect he’s already had you, my lord. More than once.”

Hot blood stung Taden’s cheeks, but he only shook his head, returning Bryce’s smile. “You’ll watch over Claribel for me, as promised?”

“If she’ll have me,” Bryce quipped, and then he sighed. “We’re quite a pair, lord.”

“Love makes us all fools,” Taden agreed. He stuck out his hand. “Goodbye, Bryce. I’ll miss—”

“None of that,” Bryce said sharply. “You’ll come back for our wedding or Claribel will have both our heads.”

Taden laughed. “That she will!” He fell silent. “Goodbye. Take very good care.”

“And you.” His gaze flicked to Nathaniel. “If things don’t work out as you wish, we’ll be camped a league to the east of here.”