She took the bowl from his outstretched hand, sitting under the shelter before the fire. “You’re very thoughtful. Thank you.”
Raine sat beside her, groaning as he inspected his muddy boots.
“I shall have to get a new pair when we return,” he muttered.
“You’re concerned with the state of your boots?”
“Just because we’re in the middle of a war doesn’t mean I can’t look good while helping you command an army.”
She cocked her head. “I don’t think I quite understand you, captain.”
“Captain? Are we back to that now…Maeryn?” He purposely dragged her name out, watching her reaction. Her pupils enlarged ever so slightly, and he had to bite back a smile.
“I apologize, Raine. I’m used to formal titles,” she replied, flicking her gaze toward the fire.
“I am far from formal, I’m afraid.”
He took a bite of stew, both of them eating in silence.
“So, what’s your story?” he asked, unable to look away.
“What do you mean?”
He waved a hand. “You know…your story. Tell me something else about you. You’ve told me a little about what it was like living in hiding most of your life…but I’d like to know more…”
He wanted to know everything.
“Oh.” She turned away, her tongue darting out to play with her lip ring.
Fuck me,he thought.She should not do that around me, or I might pounce on her.
Clearing his throat he said, “I’ll go first.” He set his empty bowl on the ground and leaned back on his hands. “I grew up on the edge of town in Mosshaven. On a farm. Father was a farmer, like I told you before, and Mother was in the army. My mother was killed in the original war when my sister and I were very young.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Maeryn said.
“Thank you. I don’t really remember her, to be honest. After her death it was just the three of us for years. Until my father caught Casimir sneaking onto our fields and stealing crops. He took him in and raised him as one of us.”
“So the general is like a brother to you, then?”
“He is.”
“What a nice father you must have. That he took him in without hesitation.”
“He’s a good man.”
“Where is he?”
“Back home, tending to his crops. He’s not a fighter.” He elbowed her arm. “See? That wasn’t so hard. Now you tell me something.”
“Is this your way of trying to get into my bed?”
Raine balked, surprised by her boldness. “What? No. Why do you ask?”
“Your reputation for debauchery precedes you.”
“That’s fair. But I’m also capable of monogamy when I so choose.”
She hummed, giving him a bemused tilt of her lips. “Alright, I shall tell you something. Growing up isolated felt…normal. I knew nothing different. It’s being out in the world that’s strange. Overwhelming.”
