“Your aunt sounds like a splendid woman,” Rafferty mocked, then scooted his chair back to prop his feet on the table. “Very well, we’ll allow Loxley his privacy for Evylin’s sensibilities. And you, Thommy-boy, can regale me with tales of that lieutenant again. I wasn’t listening the first time.”
Thom rolled his eyes. “There isn’t much to tell,” he said. “Honestly, I learned more about Vayden and Isla than I did about Brea.”
“Brea?” Evylin prompted. “You’re on a first-name basis.”
Thom looked at her blandly. “Don’t make something out of it, Evie. She’s an interesting woman, but she’s too old and too magical for me. Besides, the Alliance wants her to Bond with one of their Mages.”
Suddenly, Evylin remembered Auden’s special attention to Lieutenant Lohen the previous night. “Ah. She and Auden have a thing, then?” she asked.
Thom snorted. “Auden wishes. It’s his life’s goal to Bond with a Warrior, but she’s not interested in him.”
“It seems the Calder siblings share that goal,” Evylin remarked.
“Do you really think it makes people better in bed?” Rafferty asked abruptly, and Evylin kicked his shin. “Ow! It was Ilain who said it.”
“It isn’t polite conversation,” Evylin returned.
“Says you.” Rafferty turned back to Thom. “So who does the lovely lieutenant have a thing for?”
Thom lifted his teacup. “I couldn’t say. We didn’t discuss her love life, only that she’s thoroughly disinterested in being Auden’s last resort.”
Rafferty sighed. “Then whatdidyou learn about her?”
After a moment of thought, the corner of Thom’s mouth lifted. “She’s fun,” he reported.
“Fun, eh?” Rafferty’s eyes danced. “Do tell.”
Thom settled back in his seat, considering. “Flirting with her is like playing with a knife,” he said. “You’re pretty sure you’re gonna get nicked, but it’ll be damn thrilling in the meantime.”
Rafferty howled with laughter, and Evylin couldn’t help smiling. “You like her,” she noted.
Thom tipped his head to the side. “I’ll admit I admire her more than most women,” he said plainly. “She’s quick-witted, frighteningly beautiful, and I’m convinced she’d gut any man who tried to touch her. It’s an attractive quality, knowing you could die at a woman’s hand.”
Evylin elbowed him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I am.” Thom set his empty cup on the table. “But I’m not fool enough to think anything will come of it. Lieutenant Breata Lohen is a daunting woman of impressive caliber. Even if shewasinterested in me, I’m not of value to her or the Alliance. I’ll happily find myself a woman of less repute to prove my worth to. Maybe your little sister.”
Evylin scoffed at the quip. “Oh, now you want Calyn? All it took was a near-death experience?”
Thom gave her a teasing look. “Well, she is prettier than you, even if she isn’t as...muscular.”
She threw a bite of egg at him, thankful to have her friend back. After his foolish confession a week ago, Evylin worried that she’d lost her best friend, her brother. That’s what Thom had become to her over the last three and a half months of traveling and fighting side by side. She’d trusted him and relied on him. When he’d professed his love for her, her anger came not only from the sense of betrayal of Deckard but also from the loss of the friend she’d gained.
But Thom had rectified his mistakes. He apologized and admitted to his jealousy. On their journey to Mouroc, he’d ridden at her side, explaining everything. He’d begged herforgiveness and told her he would spend the rest of his life making up for the idiocy of his actions.
Evylin hadn’t hesitated to forgive him.
“You two,” Rafferty said with a proud gleam. “It’s good to see you back to normal.”
Smiling, Evylin threw another bit of egg at him for good measure. “What about you, Raff?” she asked. “If Thom isn’t interested in pursuing the lieutenant—Breata, was it? Well then, the path is wide open for you. Sounds as though you’d find her a splendid challenge.”
Rafferty sniggered. “Oh, I’d certainly give it a go. As Thommy said, she’s right stunning with her fierce look. Though she’s a bit skinny for my tastes.”
“I’d imagine that’s muscle under those clothes,” Thom said.
With a sly look, Rafferty twirled a teaspoon between his fingers. “I’d be happy to do some reconnaissance to find out,” he said.
“I bet you would.”
