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Garion eyed Charlie sidelong. “We’ll soon remedy that.”
“Lord Valnir, my friends need to be seen to,” Corayne said, turning to the immortal. “If they are to join us for the journey east.”
Charlie’s relief disappeared. “And when might that be?” he said through gritted teeth.
It was not Corayne’s place to answer. She looked to Valnir. A weekago, his yellow stare frightened her. Now she saw it as just another obstacle in the path forward.
He gripped his bow and studied the intricate carvings of the wood, tracing a fox with one finger.
“Dawn,” Valnir breathed.
Murmurs rippled through his assembled immortals.
Next to her, Charlie scowled.
“Dawn. Fantastic,” he muttered.
Charlie and Garion were given chambers near Corayne’s own, branching off within the same underground structure. It wasn’t stuffy like a cellar, the ceiling punctuated by marble roots and skylights to flood the rooms with shards of light. Candles burned in branch holders, chasing off any shadows or dampness. Food crowded one of the many tables. Rabbit, pheasant, vegetables, and wine, all rich in variety despite the winter. Soft carpets cushioned the stone floor, patterned with leaves of every shade. There was even a copper tub positioned in front of the crackling fireplace. When Corayne joined them, both Charlie and Garion had already scrubbed clean.
Corayne positioned herself on a cushion, twitchy and excited, her body unaccustomed to joy after so much sorrow. Her cheeks ached from smiling but she couldn’t help herself.
By the sumptuous bed, Charlie pulled on a new linen shirt with a sigh. He raised a sleeve and inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of clean clothing. He already wore tan suede breeches and new boots, his long hair combed through.
At the fireplace, Garion was back in his Amhara leathers, as Corayne expected. If he was anything like Sorasa, Garion wouldn’t trade his good leathers for the finest clothing in Allward. But he did lay out his weaponsfor cleaning, his rapier and six daggers varying in size.
“Do you have any injuries? You can send for a healer, but I warn you, they aren’t much good,” Corayne chattered, all but bouncing on her cushion. “Not much call for healers among immortals, I guess.”
Charlie pursed his lips at her. “You look crazed.”
“Perhaps I am,” she shot back. Then she eyed Garion. “I promise, I’m not usually so—”
“She is,” Charlie finished, cutting her off. His voice was still raspy and he gulped at a glass of wine, draining it down. Then he flopped onto the bed, tucking his hands behind his head and crossing his ankles. “Oh thank the gods,” he sighed, relaxing against the blankets and pillows.
A corner of Garion’s mouth lifted into a beautiful smirk. He looked at Charlie through dark lashes, in a way that made Corayne understand exactly why Charlie loved him.
“Garion of the Amhara.” She scooted on her cushion to face him fully.
The assassin turned his focus to her. His smile came easy, widening. Unlike Sorasa, there was no snap of danger behind his dark gray eyes. He seemed more inviting, friendly even. But perhaps that was a weapon too.
“Were you sent to kill me like the others?” she asked, watching his face closely.
From the pillows, Charlie guffawed. “If this has all been a trick to assassinate Corayne, I will never forgive you.”
“Darling, do you know me at all?” Garion answered, clicking his tongue as if to scold him.
“Too well, in fact,” Charlie sneered.
“Hmmm,” Garion hummed low in his throat. He leaned against the wall, half in shadow, coiled like a dangerous, beautiful cat. “Sorasa Sarn is not the only Amhara to turn her back on the Guild.”
Corayne winced. “Was,” she blurted out, regretting it instantly.
She heard Charlie shift among the pillows and swing his legs to the floor, his boots hitting the ground with a thump.
“You saw—you saw them go?” he stuttered.
“I saw enough. That’s—I can’t say it all again.” Her throat tightened and she swallowed hard. “I don’t know how anyone could survive Gidastern. Even Sorasa and Sigil. Even Dom.” She felt sick even skirting around it. “Certainly not Andry. He’d give his life before leaving anyone else behind.”
Out of the corner of her eye, something flashed. She turned just in time to watch a single tear fall off Charlie’s face.
