The Red King [Book II]

XXII

A sudden grip spun Alex around and his fist swung before he realised what was happening.

ㅤIt stopped immediately by the other man's face, his heart thrumming wildly in shock.

ㅤLlwyd was frozen still, his eyes wide. "Oh... sorry."

ㅤClearly, Alex was still twitchy from the last time he'd been jumped. Deflating on a sigh, he lowered his arm. It shook, adrenaline washing through him, so he clenched it shut.

ㅤ"What do you want?"

ㅤIt took Llwyd a moment to fully recover, his expression uneasy but slightly inquisitive. He wasn't outraged like Alex would've expected—in fact, his quiet acceptance was weirder than any haughty retaliation.

ㅤBut, as if remembering why he was there, Llwyd hardened furiously.

ㅤ"Where's Julian? I need to speak with him now."

ㅤAlex maintained a blank face. Down this quiet corridor, they were unlikely to be interrupted.

ㅤ"Not available," he put simply. "Anything you wish to tell him should be passed to me."

ㅤLlwyd spluttered in outrage. "It's nothing that concerns you—with the utmost respect, Your Grace. This is a conversation I must have with him."

ㅤAlex leant forward, their faces close. The other took a startled step back. "Am I not the king's fucking 'dog', Llwyd?

ㅤ"Listen, I'd never meant to imply—"

ㅤ"Must be my small and barbaric dog-like brain then," Alex interrupted. "It's just a shame this mutt was given so much power. We should be careful to avoid any misunderstandings in case I unjustly deal with you. Isn't that right? Because I will," he promised. "My perception of discipline is probably very different to yours. But I suppose that's the way I was raised."

ㅤLlwyd ran a brisk hand through his hair, his jaw ticking. He must've heard the rumours like everyone else.

ㅤHe glared.

ㅤ"Get my sister out of this mess, now."

ㅤ"That is between Mererid and James."

ㅤ"Why? What promise did they make?" He stepped forward. "If you're really the loyal and trusted general you like to portray yourself to be, Julian would've told you, right?"

ㅤAlex did know. But Llwyd's inability to stop testing and prodding him even now was irritating. So, Alex said nothing, letting a small smirk tug on his lips instead. A part of him hoped it would push Llwyd off that edge—he was watching for it. He anticipated the shifting of Llwyd's feet, the lifting of his arm, awaiting the assault he would bat back with twice the intensity and anger.

ㅤExcept, Llwyd found it compelling, nodding to himself as if affirming he'd reaped the reaction he should've expected.

ㅤ"Mererid is working in the solider's stables. What if one of them likes the look of her? Gets her alone?"