Evylin wanted to ask about the disparity in a marriage between magical and non-magical individuals but thought this was neither the time nor did she have the relationship with either Isla or Vayden required to make such an inquisition.
Instead, she returned to the topic of the couple’s occupations. “You are both spies, then?” she asked.
“Were,” Vayden corrected. “I aged out, and Isla’s been compromised.”
Evylin turned to Isla. “You said you were with Lady Renaul for three years.”
Isla nodded, smiling knowingly as Evylin’s eyes darted to Reyana. “That is correct,” she said. “I haven’t seen my daughter or my husband in three years. Nor was I able to contact them for fear that the duchess would discover me.”
The Ephrians stared at the small family in alarm.
“That’s asking a lot of a family,” Deckard said.
“It’s what we do in the Alliance,” Isla continued, drawing her daughter closer. “We sacrifice everything for the sake of a better future—for our children.”
Evylin met Deckard’s stare. The sentiment made her feel unsettled. She didn’t think Isla meant to pressure them or to suggest they offer the same sacrifice, but the weight of her words was still there. If they wanted to secure a better future, what were Evylin and Deckard willing to sacrifice?
Rafferty leaned forward, elbows propped on the table, as he gestured to Isla with a slice of cheese. “If this is a recruitment speech,” he said, silver eyes glowing, “it’s shit.”
Vayden chuckled. “I assure you that we aren’t bothered with recruiting you.”
“Because you already suckered us into that when your siblings duped us before?” Ethenn said brusquely.
Evylin couldn’t help her wry grin, feeling a similar cynicism.
“We didn’t trick you,” Ilain said with terse enunciation.
“You lied,” Ethenn returned, not quite looking at her.
“It was our job.”
He picked at the bread on his plate. “And duplicity is completely different from trickery.”
A beat of silence passed uncomfortably as the table watched the pair. Deckard looked ready to interfere while Vayden narrowed his eyes, a brother watching out for his baby sister. Then Rafferty sniggered.
“He’s got you there, firebrand,” the weasel said.
Ilain glared at Ethenn even as she spoke to Rafferty. “If you call me that again, I’ll burn your stupid mustache off.”
Rafferty self-consciously brushed down his white-blond stubble. “It’s the only facial hair I can grow,” he said defensively.
“I promise you,” Vayden interjected, an appeasing tone to his voice. “It was never the Alliance’s intention to dupe you into anything. Auden and Ilain have made many sacrifices themselves, doing what they must to ensure the salvation of all our people. You were never intended to join them in the first place.”
“We weren’t?” Evylin asked.
“We’ll get into that at the meeting,” Auden said. “But no, you weren’t, and no, we didn’t bring you into this intending to force you into our services. We asked your forgiveness in Virwoud,and you all agreed to help us despite our lies. Once this mission is over, if you choose to go your separate ways, you may.”
Deckard’s jaw tightened, reminding Evylin that the claim wasn’t wholly true. Auden had used Deckard’s desire to make Evylin happy against him, eliciting his promise to join the Alliance at the end of their journey together. As Deckard would never go back on his word, it appeared their future was set.
An air of discontent rested over the table. Despite the Calders’ apologies and placating remarks, the Ephrians weren’t ready to trust them. Not when every act they’d experienced by the Alliance was riddled with deceit and manipulation.
Clearing his throat, Thom spoke. “I think,” he said calmly, “that this is a conversation better discussed when we aren’t so tired.”
Deckard nodded. “Yes, thank you, Thom, you’re right.” He looked at Vayden and Isla then. “And you have a family to spend time with. We appreciate your welcome and hospitality, but we don’t want to forestall your reunion any longer.”
Vayden’s chin lifted in gratitude. Whether or not it was genuine, Evylin couldn’t tell. “In that case,” he said, rising, “allow me to escort you back to Maurus. He’ll have your rooms ready, I’m sure.”
As one, the Ephrians rose, their chairs scraping against the wooden floor. Ilain remained in her seat a few moments longer, her fingers tapping against the tabletop in agitation. The men began to move away, but Evylin paused and leaned down.
