“Do we trust them?”
Garroway poses the question. We’re on our way to the North Mines to collect our booty, because there’s no time like the present. The trek is a slog since we have to hide our travels due to being fugitives and all.
Luckily, the eyes of Olhav seem to be tilted toward the south and the incoming Nuhavians on their gold-dusted pilgrimage. We’re headed northeast toward the Military Ward and beyond, down the mountain.
I felt a pang of sadness at leaving Palacia behind, though it’s nothing like the debilitating heart-squeeze I feel anytime my mates aren’t with me. That’s how I know I’ve made the right decision.
“Trust who?” Lukain asks. “Palacia and Liolen? From my time with the Grimsons, I know Palacia is—”
“No, notthems.They. Theys? The fucking overliege!” Garroway whines. “Liolen.”
“Quiet your voice, cub,” Vallan scolds. His eyes veer like turrets across the small forts and finely made houses we pass. We’ve skirted to the fringes of the Military Ward to make double sure we aren’t spotted, and are currently creeping through a residential area, the place dim, foggy, and dreary. Vallan and Skar are keeping close watch for any undesirables.
“Why would they lie?” I ask, referring to they, singular.
“Because they’re a glorified politician?” Garro answers as a question. “It’s what they do. Politicians, that is. Not theys. This is getting confusing.”
“Only because you’re making it that way, love,” I say with a small snicker. My boots accidentally kick a small pebble across the road and it skitters, which has everyone scowling at me. I grimace, stop snickering, and try to walk quieter. “Sorry.”
“A politicianandthe richest one at that,” Lukain says. “What do you do when the politician and lobbyist is the same person? The same they?”
Well, sounds like they’re all getting in on the silliness. At least Lukain is being more talkative. Maybe he’s discovered I was serious about riding someone other than him and Skar if they don’t get their shit together, so he’s trying to make nice to get on my good side.
I wouldlovefor Master Lukain to be on my good side.
After all, he didn’t do anything wrong, to start. Other than try to kill Skartovius with a silver sword, it was Skar who was the liar. Lukain deserves to be groveled at by his half-brother on his knees, begging forgiveness.
I know there’s a greater chance the moon crashes into Nuhav than that happening.
“Could be misdirecting us,” Skar murmurs. “Diverting our attention. And succeeding.”
My eyebrows lift as I glance over at him and all his cloak-less non-glory. Hedoeslook less regal and not quite as imposing without that fluttering thing over his back, now all wiry muscles and dark armor.Still stupidly attractive and oozing sex. And did he just answer a direct question from Lukain? We’re making progress, people.“Right,” I say, clearing my throat. “Let’s not be led astray.” I point forward like a pirate captain at the wheel. “To the North Mines.”
Vallan sighs. “It’s where we’re headed already. Could everyone lower their damned voices?”
“Sorry, Father,” I squeak.
He grunts with some disapproving gravel in his lungs.
As we get closer to the edge of the mountains to the north, my mind drifts again. I find myself frowning, sadness seeping through me. “Do you guys think Palacia can be happy with someone like that?” I ponder aloud.
“Vampire’s aren’t happy,” Skar says definitively. “It’s in our blood, little temptress. She made her decision and has to, erm,livewith it.”
I think about his emphasis.Because vampires aren’t really alive. So they’re not really living. See, you can have jokes too, Skar. It doesn’t have to only be Garroway.
“You posed the question to her, yes?” Lukain asks. “About joining your, erm, family.”
I nod. “We came to a mutual agreement.”
“Then it’s settled. You’ve done what was asked—”
“Morethan was asked of you,” Skar cuts in.
“—of you.” They end “of you” at the same time, and Lukain glares at Skar across the way. They’re still walking on opposite sides of the road, the damned children.
It’s going to take longer than a single night for their decades of baggage to be forgotten. I was starting to get hopeful for a moment there, too.
The jealousy reeking off Skar’s body is so palpable I can practicallyseeit radiating off him in waves. If any of my mates are overly possessive to a fault, it’s that one. And I wouldn’t change a thing about it.