Page 74 of Ashborne: Defiance

“Don’t lie to me,” she sighed. “I’m not lying to you. At least give me that civility.”

“I am,” I said through my teeth. She went still, but didn’t face me again. My chest pinched in an echo of the pain she felt, and for a flash, my anger flared—why was it my responsibility to carry her pains as well? But I recognized the thought for the selfish petulance that it was, and pushed it away.

‘Perhaps, offering her a small truth would ease the sliver from your skin?’ Kham interrupted my thoughts.

‘And which piece of my truth would you like me to offer without placing others at risk—including you?’

Kham remained quiet, but not chastened. In fact, he felt amused.

Prick.

‘I love you, too.’

‘Shut up.’

‘Have I mentioned that her presence seems to have reverted your heart and mind to childhood? Younger, even, than when we met. Will I need to wipe your bottom for you soon?’

‘Shut. Up.’

But he only crowed—and was joined by his mate. Their chirping, amused calls making me hunch.

Between my arms, Grace sighed and I was reminded why we’d gotten to this point.

“I told you that I saw you in the walls,” I sighed.

“Yes. Where you were, also.”

“For the purposes of protecting others,” I started patiently—and pointedly—but she did turn to look at me then.

“As was I!”

I tipped my head, letting my brows rise with skepticism. “What protection, exactly, did you believe you could offer Ruin if you’d discovered him in his quarters?”

“I was looking for Bren,” she repeated. I was relieved to see the fire returning to her gaze, rather than those dark shadows. “They obviously had some kind of history. I wasn’t sure if he’d hurt her and Donavyn went looking for her, or if… I don’t know! But I know people in the castle. Powerful people. If I’d found her, I would have made sure she was safe and where she wanted to be. And if she wasn’t, I would have brought my influence to bear. I may not have your Furyknight strength and skill. But I am not without weapons of my own.”

“Terrifying, I’m sure,” I muttered, then regretted the words immediately when she tensed. I slumped. “That was unnecessary. Please forget that I said it.”

She shrugged, but shook her head slowly.

“Grace,” I said quietly, trying to keep my eyes off that triangle of delicate skin at the corner of her jaw. “My point is only to ask you to see this from my view: I saw you in subterfuge. Not obscuring words—obscuring your presence. And doing so skillfully. Am I foolish to believe that you are capable of also obscuring your true motive?”

“I didn’t choose to be Chosen—though I would have!” she insisted. “I didn’t follow you knowing Koa would find me. I was looking for Bren. Making certain she was safe!”

“You told me you were looking for adventure.”

“I only meant that following you was… Well, it wasn’t boring. I could do something good with the little time I had left, and also see things I might not otherwise have seen.”

“Like the location of a dear friend and colleague of mine who left without informing you of her whereabouts—but you would uncover it anyway?”

“If she was unsafe? Yes!”

Her answer was effusive and unashamed. And precisely what I would have said in the same circumstances.

But I was a man. And a soldier. And Bren’s superior officer.

Not a noblewoman who danced in a gown in the evening, then disguised herself in the morning and spied on those she’d befriended the night before.

‘That is precisely what you do on mission, as it happens,’ Kham pointed out.