Warrior's Soul (Book 3 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 34

A hush fell over the crowd as they stared in awe at the threesome who rode slowly towards Happy Times. Flames turning his hair a liquid gold, Alec kept his horse a step behind King Julius. Beside him, a beautiful woman with long luscious hair and a deep green dress blushed prettily at something the Warrior King said.

Leyla thought the woman looked familiar, but she was distracted by the shouts of praise that drew the new Green Kings gaze in her direction.

"Our Savior, King Julius! Long live our Savior!"

Catching her breath, Leyla watched as Liam waved at the crowd, his familiar smile in place.

"Wait, isn't that the man you were with..." Toke stopped talking as a frown replaced his surprised look. "I never took you for an actor, Protector! Did you know about prince Julius's plans the entire time?"

Leyla pulled her gaze away from Liam...no from Julius, remembering Raphael's words: That guy has been hiding who he is. So he had been right. Again.

"Protector, you alright?" Toke asked, quietly.

Leyla reached for Athiri's head and scratched his ears. Yes, she was alright. In fact, she was happy for Liam. This must have been the goal he had spoken of and he had succeeded at it. Plus, now the Greenlands would have a good leader.

Yes, these were all good things, but being there had gotten even more complicated. Leyla had wanted to keep the meeting with Alec as short as possible, with as little talking as possible using the distance that Athiri's presence would provide. But if Liam noticed her things could get complicated.

"You know, your King looks busy..." she started her excuses, but Toke was distracted by a call that cut through the boisterous street.

"Toke!"

Leyla glanced towards the familiar voice with a small feeling of dread. Alec was on the lower steps, but his height allowed him to see Toke over the heads of the crowd. Then his eyes slid to Leyla and her breath caught in her throat.

Dozens of females sighed at the smile that lit the Warrior King's face: "Protector, there you are!"

At his loud proclamation, Julius who was walking up the stairs ahead of the Warrior, stopped and turned, his surprise filled gaze meeting hers.

"What's wrong?" The Lady beside him reached for his arm, having noticed his stillness. But the new King's gaze didn't waver from Leyla's and after another moment passed he was descending the steps, sending his guards into panic.

Toke stepped in front of her in a protective gesture that would have been funny had the situation not been so ludicrous. There they were, amidst hundreds of cheering Greenlanders who were waiting for their new King to be crowned, but that King was rushing away from the coronation towards a boy dressed in black while a line of guards ran after him.

Seeing Julius's eyes narrow on the Warrior in front of her, Leyla realised things were going to get even more ludicrous if they faced off. Giving Athiri a quick stroke, she whispered to him to stay put, then stepped past Toke. The tall man frowned, but didn't stop her as she took several steps forward, leaving the Hayvan safe in the circle of Warriors behind her.

"Your Highness," she bowed her head as Julius stopped in front of her.

Leyla could feel him staring at her, but he didn't speak. Instead he raised his hand, motioning for his guards to step back.

"Lift your head," his voice was low so as not to be overheard. "And it's Julius, not Your Highness."

Leyla straightened and saw a tinge of melancholy in his smile. She too felt an echo of that same feeling; her friend was a King now and no matter what she called him, nothing would be the same.

"So Julius was the real name you mentioned the day you left," she said, keeping her tone light.

Julius rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "I'd apologise for the deception, but at least I gave you a name, Protector."

"That's true," Leyla gave a low laugh.

Smiling, now that the tension had dissipated, Julius looked past her shoulder to the Warriors who were watching them intently. "What happened exactly?"

"A test of allegiance," Leyla shrugged as if it was nothing. "The Warriors wanted me to fight with them to hold off an attack on their outpost. I thought it was a pain at first, but now that I know I was actually helping you, it feels like it was worth it."

Julius didn't fall for her light tone. His brows drew together as he took a step closer, "Are the Warriors causing you trouble -"

"You should go back now, your Lady is looking worried," Leyla cut him off. She didn't want him involved with her business anymore. He was King of the Greenlands now and his relationship with the Warriors needed to be forged on good footing.

"My Lady?" Julius raised his brows. Then he looked back at the steps where the pretty brunette was conversing with Alec. "I don't think my sister looks worried in the least?"

Sister? Leyla's gaze shifted to the woman in question and suddenly recognition struck. The woman with the bird! Leyla had spent a night in a jail cell beside her before saving her pet from being shot by the Green King's arrow! The woman who was being mistreated by the Green King was Liam's sister?

Her mind spun as things started to fall into place, "She was a hostage?"

A shadow passed over Julius's face as he nodded. Leyla could tell that there was a long story behind that gesture, but no matter what had happened it was all over now; he had saved his sister.

"Your sister's faith in you was not misplaced," Leyla smiled beneath her face covering. "You did well."

Surprise was reflected in his eyes for a moment, then Julius reached for her hand, "Stay with me?"

Leyla pulled her fingers out of his warm grasp and looked up to see Alec walking down the steps towards them!

"I have to go now!"

Impervious to her worries, Julius laughed, "You've rejected me twice and yet I have no thoughts of giving up."

"King Julius, your coronation awaits," Alec's smile was ominous as he moved past the Green guards who rushed to make way for him. Behind her, she heard the Warriors lifting their fists in salute, but Leyla kept her gaze on the floor. Bloody Diya, she had to get back to the Protectorate and fast.

"Thank you for the reminder King Alec," Julius' smile didn't reach his eyes as he turned to the Warrior. "I've learned that my close friend was helping you out this evening. And since I know first hand how busy he is, I will send him back with some guards now."

Leyla was grateful for Julius's attempt to help, but she knew it would not work even before Alec replied.

"Since you are so worried for your friend, I'll excuse myself from your ceremony and conclude my business with the Protector quickly," the Warrior King smiled. Then he held his hand out towards Happy Times. "Your sister and your people are waiting for you, King Julius."

Seeing Julius hesitate, Leyla bowed in his direction to stop the men from dragging out the icy conversation: "Farewell, Your Highness."

Julius was silent until he saw the calmness in her gaze. Then, after one last nod, he turned back towards the steps as the cheers from his people rose once more.