He smiled, cutting into the meat on his plate. “You knew I would marry Ericka. Father and I are almost finished with my new house. Didn’t you see it out back behind the barn?”
“I was so focused on seeing Mother’s resting place that I didn’t.”
“Will you be able to come? She wants a July wedding, a few weeks after Midsummer.”
Vander’s Aunt Murial had mentioned a royal party with his family on Midsummer. I turned to Vander. June would be the year mark for my time in LOA, but it didn’t mean I would graduate to full assassin if I failed the tests. I didn’t think I would, but he and the Commanders had to believe I was ready.
His gaze flicked between my brother and me. “It’s possible.”
“Why the hesitation?” Ivarr asked. “You’re here now.”
“And we’re breaking the rules by being here. She’s not supposed to return home to visit until her training is finished and she’s on her own,” Vander clarified. “Although she is very close to graduating. The final tests are the first week of May, before the new apprentices come.” His mannerisms while eating were perfect. The way he cut his food and the use of his utensils.Even the way he held a glass. He always sat at the trainer table, so it was rare for us to eat together in a formal setting outside our bedroom.
My father bobbed his head. “Well, we’re grateful you brought her here, even if today is the only time.”
I wanted to tell them they could possibly one day join me in the city, but I didn’t want to get their hopes up if anything went wrong. Or get into an argument with my father. I knew it would take time to convince him to leave our home, land, and village.
Now that I knew Vander’s secret, it changed what could happen in the future. If he was going to leave, I didn’t know if I wanted to stay in Nighthaven. My loyalty should be to LOA but last night proved my loyalty was tohim.
We spent hours talking about my training, life inside the city, and what it was like to kill vampires. My grandmother gasped and slapped a hand over her heart when I told her I kicked a vampire out of a tree and drove a dagger through the heart.
I was thankful my father didn’t go on any tirades about ducai and their treatment of everyone outside the wall. Vander knew how I felt but my father was much harsher than I’d ever been.
“Vander, if you’re the best assassin in the League, how many vampires have you killed?” my father asked casually.
Vander set his fork down. “I’ve lost count.”
“More or less than fifty?”
“More.”
My father’s brows rose. “More or less than a hundred.”
Vander was trying not to smile. “More.”
“Two hundred?” Ivarr added.
“More.”
“Three hundred?” My father balked.
Vander dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “Like I said, I’ve lost count, but I kill any vampire I encounter, and I’m good at it.”
Ivarr let out a low whistle. “You should marry this man, Aesira. You’ll be safe.”
I flushed and my eyes went wide. “Ivarr.”
“What? We are your family. I am your elder brother, it’s my duty to look out for you. Is he youraskair?”
Kayda giggled. My grandmother muttered about the inappropriateness of the discussion at the dinner table. My father appeared pleased, like he was glad he didn’t have to be the one to ask these questions. I was thankful that a sheet of my hair shielded me from facing Vander’s reaction. I regretted telling him that anaskairwas a lover. “I’m hisapprentice. Nothing more. Will you stop, please?”
Ivarr picked up his cup and brought it to his mouth, staring Vander down over the lip of it.
Vander quietly cleared his throat. “I take my role as her trainer seriously and that would be compromised if there was anything beyond mentorship with her.”
I internally groaned and took a bite of potato.
“So you’re saying you don’t think my sister is beautiful?”
