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“Theodore Nils,” Thalea said, ignoring Gavin.
“We can’t hunt this man when bounty hunters are all over Sagewood looking for you, love,” Gavin insisted. “Even if we found him, we have to keep a low profile before we take off.”
Gavin would always be the voice of reason. Unlike her, he didn’t act first and think later. Violet had always found it easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Clenching her fists, she exhaled through gritted teeth.
She knew what her impulsive actions had brought about before, on their wedding day. While she wanted revenge for her father, she also loved Gavin, and he’d already lost his family because of her. “You’re right,” she said. “I won’t go hunting for Theo Nils.”
They were a team, after all.
30
VIOLET
It was common knowledge that the smugglers that helped deserters out of the kingdom came to taverns at odd times. This was to avoid the watchful spies who worked for the Society of Crows.
Gavin, Thalea, and Violet arrived in the center of town before midday, leaving her mother at home sleeping.
Apart from the usual group of drunks at the far end of the room, it was just them. They found a place at the very back, away from the prying eyes of the bartender and the hairy old man who was tending the tables.
Gavin swung his coat over the hooks on the wall and rolled up his shirtsleeves, exposing his toned arms. “I’m going to get us something to drink. Do you want tea?”
“Yes,” Violet replied, settling in one of the rickety chairs and searching the place for a potential threat.
“And you, Thalea?”
“I don’t need anything,” her sister said.
While Violet and Gavin had been on edge the entire way here, expecting a bounty hunter to jump out from every corner, Thalea had been asking questions about the Iron City and their journey here. But as soon as they entered the bar, she had lost all her words.
“You look like a rabbit caught in a viper’s den.” Violet dropped her hand over Thalea’s and squeezed hard enough that her sister’s wide eyes rose to meet hers. “Is everything all right?”
“I just don’t come out very often. And last time I came here, it was a bit… unpleasant.”
“How so?”
“I rarely get to speak to any people my age, and I’m awkward on the best day.”
Well, that sounded pathetic. It almost made Violet want to slap her sister out of it. “Don’t talk like that. Sit straighter. Bad individuals can smell how insecure you are from a mile away. It draws them in. You need to look confident to warn them off.”
Why had her parents allowed her to become such a bundle of nerves and insecurities? Jumpy and ill-at ease inside her skin.
“I… I don’t know how to do that.”
“Lea, believe in yourself and how amazing you are. Even with what you perceive as weaknesses. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“It’s easy for you to say that. You don’t have an ounce of insecurity within you. You’ve always been so confident.”
Was she that good at fooling everyone? A laugh escaped Violet’s lips. If only Gavin had returned with their drinks already. Instead of tea, she needed good whiskey to deal with this kind of conversation.
“Like everyone, I’m confident in myself when it comes to some things… but I struggle with others. I also push people away. Gavin has been teaching me how to stop doing that.”
“I still don’t like him, but he seems nice.”
“Lies.” Violet tightened her hand around Thalea’s. “We don’t have your ability to speak with spirits. Father’s Neem would have killed us had Gavin not dissipated him, you know that, right?”
Her sister hung her head, hiding the sorrow painted in her features. “Do I? It’s hard for me to let go of what my imagination tells me is real and to distinguish what’s not, sometimes.”
“Your gift with the spirits is not your imagination. Our parents should have known better than to let you believe that. Father did know better, I’m not sure why he didn’t tell you.”
