The Bird and the Sword (The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, #1)

by Amy Harmon

“The king, Goose! You know who I’m talking about. The man ye are always watchin’ for, the man ye love,” he growled, as if he had no patience for protestations. I don’t love him. “Ye do.” He wants to make me queen. Boojohni tripped over his own feet, surprise making him clumsy. Then he began to hoot and clap, drawing the attention of the warriors around us. Shindoh whinnied in irritation, and I reined him in, halting as Boojohni celebrated my announcement. “The king is clearly a man of great wisdom,” Boojohni chortled, and he did a little jig, making Shindoh toss his head. I am of use to him. “Ah, I see.” Boojohni stopped dancing and cocked his head. “And is he of use to ye, Bird?” The question caught me by surprise, and I had no response. Was Tiras of use to me? “He has freed ye,” Boojohni prodded gently. “Surely that is worth something to ye.” He kidnapped me! “True. But he has freed ye too. Admit it, lass.” He taught me to read . . . and write. “That he did. And he sees yer gifts.” He is using me. “That seems to bother ye, Bird. Why? He doesn’t have to make ye queen to use ye. He is king. He can take what he wants.” He could. And he often did. “He knows your secrets . . . do you know his?” This time Boojohni wasn’t smiling, and I remembered how the conversation began. I nodded slowly. Yes. I know his secrets. “Ye know where he goes?” Yes. Do you? “He is very careful. But I am very quiet. And curious.” And protective. Boojohni nodded, admitting as much. “That I am.” Why d...