Chapter Thirteen
Gods, she was even lovelier up close. Her creamy skin had the luster of a sun’s kiss, and she had a lush lower lip that beckoned seductively, the curve of her mouth inviting exploration. Her eyes were the rich color of heartwood from the mightiest oaks, and they flashed now with an anger that amplified her beauty.
Anger at what Col had voiced aloud, an utterance ill-thought and ill-received. He had meant that she inflamed and confused his senses, in a way that was dangerous to him and to those who depended on him.
She would be like oil to the fire that he desperately sought to contain.
Col needed to stay away from her, in order to be of use to hisBredhren, to be an effectiveWaryeorfor the battle which was nearing. But how could he explain this to her?
“If you don’t think you can handle it, it certainly wouldn’t be worth your effort.” Her voice was measured, calm, belying the angry flush that tinted her cheeks a becoming pink.
HisBredhrenhooped and hollered, Aylwyn going, “Ohhhh, burn!” which surely meant mockery at his expense.
Although she was of comely feminine charms, she was no delicate blossom, this Katie Cooper. He would have to find his own way of keeping his distance.
“I meant no disrespect, milady.” She still had her head tilted upwards, her shoulders tense, but then she nodded stiffly.
“Apology accepted. And just Katie is fine.”
Col looked around, and saw that he was not the only one who found her features captivating. Simon had the same frozen look of occasions when he was rendered incapable of speech. Barric and Merek had the look of spotting a wench that they were on the verge of fighting over. Aylwyn, prince of jackals as he was, would swoop in and steal her away from under their very noses. Even Miller seemed appreciative, although it may have also been as much for the fine strength of character that she had just demonstrated. Only Tybalt’s eyes were on Col, rather than on Katie Cooper, with a quiet look of concern.
Perhaps hisVixarwas now more convinced that Col’s usefulness as aWaryeorwas nearing its terminus.
“Simon’s idea is an excellent one. You will work with her,” Tybalt said, his cool gaze boring into Col.
Col nodded. “As you command,” he said quietly.
Miller’s voice once again broke through the noise. “Our meal will be ready in a few minutes, as soon as I unpack what I picked up on the way. Col, will you give me a hand getting it out of the car?”
“Good. Our first lesson then will be on table manners, based on what I observed last night.” Katie smiled, and looked pointedly at Col. “But of course I’ll be placing a special emphasis on good manners in general.”
Aylwyn, Barric and Merek broke out in laughter again, as Col felt a prickling of heat on the nape of his neck.
Even Tybalt was smiling, although it was no match for the huge grin that broke across Simon’s face.
* * *
“You handled yourself really well.” Miller was driving Lily back to the Faire grounds in the luxury SUV that he had used to pick her up. Just the interior of the car alone probably cost more than the repairs on her POS car that was currently in limbo.
“Thanks,” Lily said. “They’re really trying hard, even though it may take a while for them to get accustomed to new ways of doing things that they’ve done for a lifetime. It’s not unlike some of my kids who —” She broke off suddenly, realizing that she was about to give away some of her past.
Miller didn’t react, keeping his eyes on the road. But she had the sense that he knew more than he let on. And similarly, she felt that he kept confidences very well.
“Simon mentioned that you have a background in education,” the older man said. Yes, she did share that with Simon the night before. And of course Simon could easily have asked Rika if she hadn’t.
“Yes, I’ve had experience with kids who come from households where English isn’t the first language. So there’s also a bit of acculturation that has to take place for them too, in the classroom. Although of course, kids are a lot more adaptable.”
The corner of Miller’s mouth curled upward. “These boys have been through a lot. They learn quickly.”
Katie thought of their political refugee status, but she knew Miller probably wouldn’t divulge anything. The same way she wouldn’t appreciate him prying about her background.
“I get the sense that you’re speaking from first-hand experience.”
Miller gave a grunt that she took as an affirmative.
“I’d appreciate if you could share any tips on working with them.” She was willing to bet that he was some sort of instructor as well. Maybe a drill sergeant when he was on active duty.
He seemed pleased with her request. “Sure I can. People who’ve been trained for combat are a different animal. These boys are the elite of their kind—I can’t give you much more than that, but understand that they’ve seen a lot more of the same kinds of things that can age a man quickly, toughen their souls, forge bonds that are unbreakable. They’re driven by a higher sense of duty and honor that the average civilian might find hard to comprehend. So right off the bat, any objective to make them pass as average civilians is going to present a stiff challenge.”
