“What way is that?” Thom asked.
“With a vote.”
Vayden, Isla, and Brea chuckled lightly while the rest remained stoic.
“There are ten of us,” Ethenn said. “What happens if there’s a tie?”
“Same thing that happens during the ministers’ votes,” Isla said. “Tie goes to those opposed. Just make sure you phrase the question correctly.”
Rafferty swung his legs up and hopped to stand on the bar. “A vote, then!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands as though to call them to order. “All right, the stunning Lieutenant Lohen proposes we skip the tedious Highlord Calder’s plans—”
Brea snorted while Auden’s face scrunched in disapproval.
“Saving our lives from the horrors of the Night Keep and going straight for the Space Relic before scurrying on down to retrieve the Terrae Relic. All those in favor of subverting Blount by being clever, please raise your hand.”
“That’s a rather manipulative way to phrase the proposition,” Deckard remarked.
Rafferty ignored him, one hand in the air while he counted the others. “Brea, Vayden, Isla, Thommy, Eve, Ilain, Ethenn, and I stand in favor,” he said, and then they all dropped their hands. “All those opposed?”
Evylin gave Deckard an apologetic look while he raised his hand along with Auden.
“Ministers Colonel and Audy stand opposed,” Rafferty announced. “That’s eight in favor, two opposed. The motion passes!”
“Very well,” Deckard said with good-natured acceptance of his defeat. Then he gave Rafferty a pointed look. “Get down off the bar.”
Rafferty jumped down, and Deckard turned back to the group. “So the new plan is this: We leave tomorrow morning at first light and, using the Alliance’s secret mountain pass across the border, head to Ephria City, where we’ll meet with Ephren and retrieve the Space Relic.” He leaned against the counter, his arm brushing Evylin’s. “From there, we’ll continue to Olbury and the Terrae Keep, taking a short detour to release Hewitt near Virwoud. We’ll be moving fast, so let’s keep the load light. Essentials only. Are there any questions?”
Evylin scanned the room with Deckard. Rafferty sipped his ale, resting against the counter placidly. Ethenn glanced at Ilain, who sat with her chin raised with its usual cavalier tilt. Auden shifted in his seat, sending surreptitious looks toward Brea—either in vexation or hope. Crossing her legs, the lieutenant sat back casually while Isla and Vayden smiled at each other.
Last, Evylin met Thom’s gaze a second before he looked directly at Deckard. “We’ll follow you to the end, brother,” he said.
Deckard’s expression pinched despite his appreciative smile. Evylin knew he felt the weight of command stronger than most. He was good at leading; he was meant for it. But he didn’t trust himself to do it well. Something she thought she ought to reassure him of. Perhaps not here, not now. But later, when they were alone.
For now, she knew she needed to bring levity to the moment.
Smirking up at him, Evylin said, “I have a question.”
Hearing the sarcasm in her tone, Deckard’s face relaxed. “How may I be of assistance?” he asked.
“I’d like to know when we can eat?” she teased. “I’m starving.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ten, Evylin decided, was an ideal number of people.
When they returned to the Crimson Clover for an early dinner, it was with great laughter and easy conversation. The Bonding ceremony wouldn’t take place for another few hours, so she put off her nerves as the group settled into the dining room, pulling tables together to make space for their large number. Vayden had to soothe Mrs. Howerth, who was busy making the suppertime meal, with promises to right the space before they left, but it seemed only Deckard’s charm was enough to allow them access to her larder for their bountiful meal.
Soon, the table was filled with dried venison, sliced sausages, manifold cheeses, fruit spreads, and loaves of fresh bread.
As they clustered around the table, Evylin made sure to sit near Brea, eager to get to know the woman. Positioning herself thus wound up splitting her away from Deckard, who was seated at the head of the table with Vayden on one side and Ethenn on the other. Though Auden seemed intent on taking the seat on Brea’s other side, Thom got there first, drawing a smirk from the lieutenant.
They all fell into small conversations, getting to know their new team members better. Evylin determined that, while she wasn’t entirely convinced of the suitability of training withBrea, she did like the woman. The lieutenant was witty and companionable without being gregarious or overly enthusiastic, which made for amusing conversation, often filled with blunt statements and biting retorts.
When Auden was distracted by a conversation with Isla, Rafferty leaned across the table to surreptitiously remark, “So my lovely lieutenant,” his brows lifted in a conspiratorial expression, “you don’t seem all that keen on the two younger Calders. Or am I mistaken?”
Brea’s mouth quirked in the corner. “They’re perfectly honorable individuals,” she replied.
“But . . . ?”
