“And I wouldn’t be here if Bane hadn’t run away.” I laughed. “I should have known he scented you. Sometimes I think he’d prefer moving in with you instead of living on the farm with me.”
Kyree smiled, scratching the cat’s head. “A healer’s house is no place for a cat,” he said, a little wistfully. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt earlier?” He moved too swiftly for me to avoid his touch, his firm but gentle fingers cradling my injured wrist. His gaze sharpened. “This is still tender.”
“You had enough to do with Yarmin,” I said, pulling back my hand before he could weave another spell. Kyree was my friend, but I couldn’t risk him discovering my true identity. “Besides, it was already much better.” My lip twitched guiltily. “I might have overtaxed it today.”
He gave me a disapproving head shake. “You were lucky that was all that happened. What were you thinking, taking on that Troll all on your own?”
“I could hardly let him eat Yarmin and Calder,” I answered, rubbing my aching wrist. “It will heal. In time. And if it eases your worry, I promise to be more careful in the coming tendays and not overdo it.”
“Ah, yes.” A curious gleam entered Kyree’s eyes. “I heard you have help on the farm now. Tall, dark, and very handsome help, if the Underforges are to be believed.” He bumped his shoulder against mine. “Perhaps I should come over for a visit. This village is sadly lacking in good-looking men.”
Oh, blessedlyr—Dolores. I was probably better off not knowing what gossip was going around Dalath right now.
“Bele is just an old acquaintance,” I tried to deflect, my voice catching suspiciously on Noctis’s fake name.
“That doesn’t sound likejustanything. But fine, keep your secrets.” Kyree’s voice turned somber. “I am the last person to begrudge others those.”
One thing I cherished most about my friendship with the healer was that he knew when to let me be. I pressed his shoulder, a wry smile on my lips. “If only those secrets would leave us alone, huh?” Clucking my tongue at Bane, I scooped up the cat from the Aerieth’s arms. “I have to return to my wagon. Mayor Brim is waiting for me. He wanted to discuss something.”
“I’ll accompany you.” Kyree gave Bane one last pat on the head. “I just came over to grab some bandages from Father Arallan’s stores to replace the ones I used.” A slight frown appeared on his forehead. “My last order from Rasga didn’t arrive.”
“How is Yarmin?”
“He’ll survive. The leg will be as good as new in a few tendays. He was lucky you were there, though, or things might have ended differently.”
We moved toward the entrance together, Kyree pausing once more in front of the last window, his head tilting as he considered it.
“Do you ever wonder what drove her to it?”
I didn’t need to ask who he meant. The colorful glass depicted the Ten in all their glory: Aramaz in white and gold, the sun rising behind him; Namtaz and Ashur surrounded by blue and turquoise waves; Zamani and Sha’am amid their flames; Kyree’s own maker Enlial and their companion Khiraz floating on silver winds. Only one depiction had been scratched out by angry hands, leaving just a few scatteredstars of the Lady of Light. Dalath was not a rich village. They lacked the funds to properly scorch my image from all places of worship, unlike the grander temples of the Ten in the cities.
“Some say she did it out of desire,” I said tonelessly. “Desire for power. Desire for freedom. Desire for a man she could not have.”
Moments like these made me wonder if Enlial’s enchantment still held, or if Kyree suspected something and was trying to get a reaction out of me. But his handsome face remained unreadable as he stared at the window above us. “No, I don’t think that was it,” he murmured. “I think it was something else entirely.” With a bitter laugh, he shook himself and motioned at the door. “But who knows what moves the hearts of the immortal? Surely not our fates. Calder was right about that much.”
He could not have been more wrong, I thought, as I bade him goodbye to return to my wagon. The fate of this world and its inhabitants had never left my mind, even when I had still been a goddess.
CHAPTER
24
Rada
Miss Rose, as always, you have truly outdone yourself!”
Mayor Brim’s heartfelt declaration made the tavern owner, a middle-aged Brownie with a heart-shaped face and honey-colored locks, beam at him, showing off her dimples.
I soaked up the last traces of stew with the hearty dark bread that had accompanied our meal and handed her my plate. “He is right,” I said. “It was delicious.”
The tavern was bustling, every table occupied, the air filled with the hum of conversations. Perhaps it was a sign of the tension everyone felt, an instinctive mortal urge to find safety in numbers, to celebrate life while there was still peace. The danger seemed especially far away here in the large guest room with its warm wooden walls and cozy nooks filled with colorful cushions.
The mayor had led me to a table in the corner, offering us some privacy. The third member of our group had not eaten anything, only occasionally taking a sip of his ale, an impatient sigh escaping him. I had to hide a smile, knowing Adesh lacked the patience forBrim’s jovial approach to things. The commander of the militia was a blunt and efficient man, his sharp green eyes constantly scanning the room. It was one of the reasons I had recommended him to Brim. The captain had chastised Calder thoroughly for his outburst, sending him to the barracks with Ursa.
I took pity on Adesh and turned toward the mayor the moment Rose had left our table. “You wanted to ask me something?”
“Ah, yes.” Brim dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, clearly stalling. “We—that is, the rest of the Council and I—are of course aware of your extraordinary experience in battle. And we are very grateful for your help not only today, but also in the past. Given the current situation, with the rumors circulating and all that we have already achieved, we have been wondering—”
“We would like to ask if you could help train the soldiers,” Adesh interrupted, his gaze sweeping from Brim to me. He leaned over the table, lowering his voice. “I probably don’t have to tell you there have been unsettling occurrences recently. Just two days ago…” He trailed off, hesitating as if unsure whether to continue in public.
