Chapter 5

As the lords dispersed, Hayden absentmindedly swept up the coins from the map back into the pouch and handed it over to Lamar. Karina had to smirk, realizing that Warren's large golden one that he mockingly placed over Levanta ended up in the captain's pocket as well. But the general probably had lots of other ones. Come to think of it, so did Lamar, Karina was certain Hayden paid him more than well.

She couldn't exactly decipher Hayden's mood which worried her. Angry, furious even, annoyed, disappointed, displeased, that she would expect. But he didn't seem to be any of that. If anything, he seemed a bit sad. As he picked up one of the paperweights and played with it, the map immediately rolled up. Karina wasn't sure whether she should go talk to him, apologize maybe? Whatever he was thinking couldn't be good and it was certainly her fault.

He finally turned and headed out of the tent. "I need to go for a ride." His voice was strangely void of emotions and he barely even looked at her before moving outside.

"Can I come with you?" she asked sheepishly, joining him as he strode through the camp.

His eyebrow rose as he looked over her gown which was certainly not meant for a saddle and he shrugged. "If you want."

"I do. I'll be right back." As she hurried towards their tent to quickly change into her riding clothes, her insides turned and twisted in nervosity. During the past few weeks, she had become quite proficient in telling what mood he was in, whether he was seriously angry or just teasing her. Now she got nothing. What happened in that meeting threw him off and Karina had no clue what conclusion he would reach after he processed it.

He was already in Demon's saddle in front of their tent when she walked out, despite her being truly lightning-quick while stripping the gown off and putting her other clothes on. Her high riding boots weren't even properly laced up. Seraphina's reins flew in her direction and Hayden moved away before she even mounted her mare which was not a good sign, normally he always wanted to push her up into the saddle.

She quickly caught up with him, ignoring Markos and Lamar following them, and they took the road east towards Ebris, riding in absolute silence. Under other circumstances, Karina would enjoy the ride, it was another beautiful late summer day, the sun warming up the air despite the soft eastern breeze. But now she kept nervously eyeing Hayden and had to bite on her lip to keep quiet. It was his turn to say something and he clearly wasn't ready yet.

They turned to one of the side roads and headed for a forest, the path getting thinner and less distinguishable by each passing moment. Karina was lost, she'd even have no idea how to return to the main road, but Hayden seemed to know where he was going. And he probably did, they were quite close to his home, there was a good chance this was a place he had visited before. The path zigzagged up a slope, the trees were scarcer and smaller until they disappeared completely, replaced by thick green grass whose long blades rocked in the wind like waves on the sea.

When they got close to the top of the hill, Hayden dismounted, attaching Demon's reins to a low thorny bush and continuing on foot. Karina did the same, making sure Seraphina had enough space to graze. Hayden disappeared between some large rocks and Karina carefully followed him, climbing over one. When she finally lifted her eyes to see what was in front of her, she gaped in astonishment. The other side of the hill ended in a sharp cliff and they were standing near the very edge of it. Just a few feet from Karina the ground suddenly dropped into seemingly endless fall, it must have been well over two hundred feet, if not more. She was never really good with guessing sizes and distances.

The cliff overlooked a large valley dotted with tiny villages and lots of fields and pastures. A river ran lazily from east to northwest. Its size was incomparable to the one that ran through Vantia but still, there were boats going up and down the stream. Even from this distance, Karina could see where the main road crossed the water via a magnificent stone bridge. The view was so breathtaking she forgot all about moody Hayden, wars, or councils, and just stood there, enjoying the peaceful image.

"Be careful." His voice sounded so close to her ear she flinched and nearly stumbled. "It's a long way down." Even though he still sounded strained, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back closer to his chest, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Karina sighed in relief. He wasn't furious with her. Unless he brought her here to push her to her death which didn't really sound like him. "Are you going to throw me off the cliff?"

"I'll think about it." She felt his shoulders twitch as he chuckled, which was exactly her goal. "I'm sorry I was like that, I was just…"

"Lost in thoughts? I understand that. Were you angry with me?" He didn't seem angry now but back in the tent that was another matter entirely.

"No." His long exhale was more of a sigh. Karina thought he would continue but he kept quiet so she bit her lip again and waited, watching flocks of birds soar over the harvested fields, looking for leftover grains. "I was angry with myself because you are right. I've been a king for ten years and didn't notice a thing. You've been a queen for how long? Less than two weeks? And you just waltz in there and effortlessly reveal this huge plot to destroy me and the whole Orellia. Perhaps you should be the one throwing me off the cliff."

Karina remembered their earlier conversation and how uncertain and insecure he admitted to be. This must have come from the same place. "Hayden, that's the point, you've been too close to the whole thing. Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to provide a different perspective, an outsider. Plus, it's all just a wild theory."

"No, it isn't. There is more than those idiots know. I've seen it before. People suddenly changing their opinions, deals getting altered, alliances revoked. I signed it off to the Burning Fury bullshit, that nobody wants to have any dealings with the mad king." His voice was bitter and he scoffed. "But I was too blind and too stupid to see there was more to it than just my fabulous reputation."

He didn't just believe she might be right. He was convinced about it. The feeling would be almost intoxicating if it weren't for the fact that it made him feel like an idiot. That was not Karina's intention. "Hayden, please stop underestimating yourself. You can't be everywhere, know everything, consider every possible option, including the crazy and improbable ones. If one of your advisors came up with the idea, would you feel like this as well? Because it is their job to advise you, to provide different perspectives, to think in a different way. Can't you think about me as you think about them?"

"That would be a hard thing to do." His hand slid up to hold her breast. "You have certain… virtues that make it almost impossible."

Karina held her breath when his other hand slid down her thigh, rubbing it through the thin leather breeches. "Yes," she breathed out, "I can hardly imagine you and General Warren in this position."

"Don't even remind me of him," Hayden growled. "I mean, he is an excellent strategist and he is good with men but around women, he is even a bigger asshole than I am, which is quite an accomplishment. I would prefer to keep him around but I will get rid of him if you want me to."

What? He would be willing to kick someone out of the council just on her word? A tiny spiteful and vengeful part of her mind found the idea of Warren being humiliated in that way very appealing but that was certainly not the kind of a queen she wanted to be. "Don't. You know me, I forgive everyone. Even though I still want to punch that bastard's face."

"I noticed," Hayden laughed heartily, "that's why I stopped your argument actually. I would advise you against it, it's going to hurt you more than it would hurt him."

That was not really new information for her, which was ironic since she always tried to stay away from violence. "I know. It's not like I was actually going to do that." Probably. "Thank you for standing up for me." Karina wished things went smoothly enough he didn't have to do it but was still eternally grateful he spoke in her defense.

"Of course." His lips briefly touched her neck. "I don't really need to have your authority trampled into the dirt to boost my own. I happen to believe we can benefit from each other's authority. As long as it doesn't get out of hand and you won't start your own shadow council to take over mine." He sounded serious but from the way his lips were shaped when he kissed her shoulder, Karina knew he was smirking.

"I'll think about it," she repeated his words, chuckling softly. There was a long silence as they took in the peaceful view spread in front of them. "What happens now?" That was the big question. How does one react to being a target of such a huge conspiracy?

Hayden sighed quietly. "I honestly have no idea. We'll gain nothing by letting Odi know we know. So, we play along for now, try to find out more information. That doesn't even sound like a plan, does it?"

"It sounds like a great plan." Karina inhaled and opened her mouth to say something else but decided against it at the last possible moment. No, it was really not a good idea.

Of course Hayden noticed. "What is it?" Karina shook her head but he insisted. "Come on, tell me."

"You'll just get angry."

"Hmm, is it that bad?" He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "I'll do my best not to."

Knowing it was the best he could promise her she hesitantly said, "If you need information, you could talk to Oscar. The man has 'friends' everywhere."

"Karina, I know you two are very close friends and I'm really trying hard not to freak out about it but I just don't like him." He didn't sound angry, which was a good start.

"Hayden," she turned to face him, raising her hands to cup his cheeks, "I'm not asking you to love him and I don't expect you to become best buddies. All I'm suggesting is you use his skills and resources for the good of our country."

He smirked playfully. "I like how you say our country. I'll think about it. Huxley is getting married the day after tomorrow, we should probably let him settle in his new role before dragging him into problems of the state."

"Oh, right!" Karina almost forgot. "We are going to the wedding, right? I mean I am." There was no way she would abandon her friend on such a day.

"As much as I'd love to pass on such a wonderful opportunity, I can't," Hayden rolled his eyes. "As Clara's guardian, I actually have to give her over to that…" he swallowed an insult, "...man. So yes, we are going. Gods, I hope I made the right choice about that. I'd hate to screw up that girl's life, she's been through enough already."

Shaking her head over his lack of enthusiasm, Karina answered, "Don't worry. They will both be just fine." Hayden snorted, not convinced. Truth be told, Karina wasn't so convinced about it either, but at least someone had to stay optimistic, right?