How?I pressed again, slower, gentler.
Lyra frowned. “I’ve studied them. Is that not what you intended when you sent the guides?”
No one has picked it up so quickly.
Lyra’s eyes tracked my hands. When I lowered my palm, she swallowed, her voice went softer. “As I said, must…must be my craft.”
It wasn’t craft. This draw, this dangerous pull, was something more.
I hated her for what she represented. Pain, blood, anger. I hated her for the risks she brought merely by having melder craft.
But another part of me wanted to hate her at a nearer distance. And each damn day the desire to stay away cracked and shed more of its strength.
My fingers curled around her jaw again, tilting her head. Every breath I took was filled with frostrose petals from the oils left in her chamber and sugared honey scrubs in her hair.
Gods, unwanted desire was there, and I’d be wise to remember the risks of getting too close to a melder. She was a tool to be used and destroyed by royals. Nothing more. The fara wolf in the wood was proof Lyra Bien was fated to fall like Fadey. A truth I couldn’t forget.
I took a step back.Since you understand me so well, there is no reason my commands should not be obeyed.
“You are not my king.”
No. I rested one hand on the curve of the crescent pommel ofmy sword and spoke with the other.But I am the one your king tasked with keeping you alive.
Lyra’s jaw worked for a moment. “You’re so angry I spoke to that woman, but do you know what I think, Sentry Ashwood? I think there is nothing so terrible beyond the gates. A few ravagers perhaps, but caravans and travelers are everywhere in the fortress. How can it be so deadly on the trade roads? I think you and the royal house want to keep me afraid, so I never fight back.”
Gods, this woman.
I stepped nearer, head tilted until my nose nearly touched hers. My fingers spoke against her face.You do not want to test that theory, Melder.
Before she could say another word, I took hold of her arm and pulled her toward the doors of the tavern.
Already, rawhide drums thudded a steady beat in the corner alongside the songbird tune of a panpipe and the plucking strings of a tagelharpa. Too many bodies shoved inside. Folk from across the kingdoms traveled to and from Stonegate for trade, and to catch a glimpse of the capital of Jorvandal.
Mothers with their daughters laughed and daintily sipped from drinking horns near tables. No mistake, until Thane took his vows with Princess Yrsa, the daughters of Jorvandal would be tossed in front of the prince’s feet.
As though Thane had any say in the matter of his bride.
I led Lyra to a back table. A line of young Stav Guard tasked with watching the doors stiffened on our approach, all arching their faces to avoid my scrutiny.
Lyra huffed when I placed her into a chair at the table and snatched a horn from one of the trays being passed around. Ale sloshed over the rim after I pounded the horn on the table too hard.
She glared at me. “I never expected my first revel would be spent hidden in the corner, drinking alone. Might as well take me back to my tower and lock me away, Sentry Ashwood.”
I would love nothing more.
She snorted with derision and took a long gulp, wincing through the bite of the drink, muttering something likeassunder her breath.
This would be a damn long night.
“Ly!” The boom of Darkwin’s voice lifted over the heads of the patrons.
Emi stood at Kael’s side, and behind them were the two bone crafters taken from Skalfirth. Truth be told, I hadn’t seen them since arriving at Stonegate. Damir would let them stew in their misery until the next full moon, for the sake of his melder, no doubt, but soon enough they’d be taken up into society to strengthen the king’s influence.
The man—I could not recall his name—looked practically murderous behind his sister.
“Kael.” Lyra waved, a look of relief replacing her disdain for me.
Darkwin paused at the table, dipping his chin with a hurried, “Sentry Ashwood,” then sat beside Lyra. Kael adjusted his new Stav blade with the wolf head pommel and made room for Emi and the other crafters to find a place.
