Settling the blankets over her lap, Brea looked down at him as he lowered himself to the bedroll on the floor. “Allore gives us all an affliction to bear, I suppose.”
“Then friends?”
“Friends,” she confirmed.
With a satisfied nod, Thom lay down, rolling onto his side to face the wall. “Goodnight then, Brea.”
Brea turned down the oil lamp, leaving the faintest orange glow for Rafferty’s late arrival. The bed creaked as she shifted down, and the room fell silent.
“Goodnight,mi’caro,” she called playfully.
Thom smiled, tucking one arm under his lumpy pillow. He might not have decided on his true purpose yet, but he had time. For tonight, at least, he’d set one thing right.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
20TH OF RADIA, 1574
Trollenston loomed in the distance like a bad dream.
Terraeus didn’t seem to care about Ethenn’s sour mood. The sun shone brightly. Birds sang merrily. His friends chatted casually.
Over the last couple of days, things had improved within the troop. Thom and Brea were back on speaking terms, though their banter was decidedly less flirtatious. All were somber after Hewitt’s final release, but crossing over into Estshire seemed to return cheer to Evylin and Deckard, which helped the rest of them relax too. Ilain hadn’t gotten over her dislike for Brea, but she’d allowed Ethenn to train with her and was agreeable enough in the lieutenant’s presence. And in the evening, alone in their room, Ethenn and Ilain distracted themselves from their troubles with each other’s kisses.
The diversion of Ilain’s embrace hadn’t been Ethenn’s original intent with their first agreement. He’d thought they’d kiss that once and be done with it. But each night, Ilain pulled him down onto the bed beside her and pressed her lips to his. Inevitably, the activity devolved into them tangled under the blankets, though he was quite careful not to gotoofar.
A feat that proved nearly impossible with his head and body buzzing from her touch.
Somehow, Rafferty noticed their newfound comfort with each other. He’d begun pestering Ethenn about it, which made him incredibly uncomfortable, but he assumed that was likely the point.
Glancing up ahead, Ethenn caught sight of Ilain riding beside Evylin. The physical development in their relationship made things more complicated. While he’d tried to keep a level head and a tempered heart, he could feel himself growing dangerously attached to his wife. What if Ilain realized his faults? What if she found another Warrior she liked better? He wouldn’t blame her if she threw him over, but he wasn’t sure his heart would survive such a blow.
Maybe he should take her up on her offer and consummate the marriage. Then she couldn’t leave him, even if she eventually realized what a terrible mistake she’d made....
Ethenn’s jaw tightened as his eyes drifted back to the buildings of Trollenston, drawing ever nearer in the distance. He hoped to get through the town unrecognized. Were they still looking for him? He’d have to be careful. They couldn’t try him now that he was a soldier, but he didn’t want Deckard or the others to find out about his violent indiscretions.
Four months. Would they still be looking for him after half a year had passed?
It was murder, he reminded himself.Of course, they’re still looking.
“You vile heathen.”
Ethenn blew a breath, forcing his uncle’s voice out of his head. He would steer clear of Vernon Loxley’s smithy, that was sure.
“What was that for?” Rafferty asked at Ethenn’s side.
Ethenn furrowed his brow. “What?”
“You just sighed,” Rafferty said, then mimicked the troubled exhale. “Like that. What’s got your knickers knotted?”
He deflected with a shrug. “I joined the army to get out of this town. I didn’t think I’d ever come back.”
“I’m not entirely sure why you wanted to leave,” Rafferty said. “From what your old pal, Carmichael, said, you were living it large—on quite the winning streak and with the prize purse to match,Slayer.”
Ethenn leveled a flat glare at Rafferty. “You know, don’t you?”
A sly lift came to Rafferty’s lips. “The gruesome tale of your little stage name?” His silver-gray eyes twinkled. “I haven’t an idea.”
Hearing the lie, Ethenn nodded. “It was labeled an accident,” he said emotionlessly.
