A Little Fate by Nora Roberts

one night he was given the world. “A son?”
    â€œFor the first. We will make others.” With a laugh, shethrew her arms around him. “They will be happy, and so well loved. And they will serve, Thane.” She drew back. “Serve the world as well as rule it. This can be. I begin to see so much of what can be. I needed you to clear my vision.”
    â€œHow many come? What are their arms?”
    â€œNow you think like a soldier.” Satisfied, she sat on the ground. “I’ll know more soon. Here, at midnight the night after next, we meet Gwayne. He is my hawk, and he brings the forces. Two of mine are held now in the dungeon. One is as dear as a brother to me. They must be freed, but not until the night of the masque. I pray they live to see that night, and they are not to be sacrificed.”
    â€œI can get them out. I know the tunnels and underground better than any. There are others held there who would stand with you.”
    â€œWhat do you need?”
    â€œOne good man and his sword would be enough.”
    â€œYou shall have him. This must be done, and quietly, in the hour before the masque. The wounded, or those too weak to fight, must be taken through the tunnels and away. Men will die, Thane. There will be no choice. But I want no man’s blood spilled carelessly. Some would swear allegiance if given the opportunity. From what I’ve seen, not all who serve Lorcan do so with a full heart.”
    â€œSome serve only in fear of their lives or the lives of their loved ones.” He shrugged when she studied him. “Men often speak their mind around horses. And minions.”
    â€œYou are no one’s minion.”
    â€œI’ve been less than that.” His hand curled into a fist. “By the blood, for the first time since childhood I know what it is to want, more than to live, to stretch out of this skin and be. I would have served you,” he said quietly. “I have seen you wear the Crown of Stars, and I would have served you in anything you asked, servant to queen. But to have loved you, as a man loves a woman, has changed everything. I can never go back.”
    â€œOnly for a short time. My wolf will conceal his fangs only for a short time. I must go now. When we move, Thane, we must move quickly.” She went willingly intohis arms, held close. “We’ll have all of our lives for the rest.”
    And for the rest, he thought, as he let her go, she and the child would be protected at any and all costs.
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    H OPING to avoid Owen for the day, Aurora made plans to go into the city and there measure the feeling among the people—and the strategy of attack and defense. It was difficult to deny herself a trip to the stables and even a fleeting moment with Thane, but she sent Rohan to order the carriage, as was fitting for a lady of her station.
    â€œSoon there will be no more need for pretense. Or the wait,” she added and touched Cyra’s shoulder. “The prisoners will be freed, and the wounded among them taken safely into the forest. I promise you.”
    â€œHe suffers, Aurora. My Eton suffers. I could barely stand to see him so. Many held there don’t even know their crime, and some are driven mad by the dark and the starvation.”
    â€œIt won’t be dark much longer. Men held there have fathers or sons or brothers. They’ll fight with me. I saw the dragon in the sky last night, and the red stars.” She laid a hand on her belly. “I’ve seen what can be.”
    She hooked her arm with Cyra’s and started across the courtyard. And heard the clash of armor as guards snapped to attention.
    The heat of battle flashed in her blood even as she bowed her head and curtsied to the man who called himself king.
    â€œMajesty.”
    He took her hand to bring her to her feet, and didn’t release it. “A pretty light on a gloomy morning.”
    â€œYou are too kind, sire. But even a dank