‘You know why.’
‘No I don’t.’
She was killing him. He was not one for words—especially with women. His interactions with them tended to be a lot more… primal. No need to speak of feelings. ‘Because the thought of you eating grubs doesn’t sit well with me.’
‘You mean the grubs you told me to eat when I got hungry enough?’
‘That was before.’
‘Beforewhat?’
Before he had seen her claw at the mud, trying to save her brother. Before he had witnessed her broken expression as they hung him on the wall. Before he had met her uncle and seen what she was up against, watched her steal a horse back from thieves, seen her throw a knife, pet a duck, and hustle in the port borough like she had been doing it her whole life.
Before he realised how much he wanted her to survive this eternal famine.
‘I have to go,’ he said, straightening. ‘And so do you.’
She drew a breath. ‘Why? Is there a curfew now?’
‘There will be if you don’t go home and eat some proper food.’
They watched each other a moment.
‘Will you be at the Solar Festival tomorrow?’ she asked, shoulders dropping a few inches.
‘I’ll be on duty, as will most defenders.’
She crossed her arms in front of her. ‘When do the defenders get to celebrate, then?’
‘We don’t. We make it safe for everyone else to celebrate.’
Pity passed over her face. ‘Perhaps defenders should have another day off and let the merchants defend our walls for a few hours.’
‘That’s a truly terrifying thought.’
She shrugged. ‘I’m fairly skilled with a bow, you know.’
‘I don’t doubt that.’
‘Well, I’m going tomorrow, in case you were wondering. Lyndal wants to find a farmer husband.’ Some light returned to her eyes.
‘What about you? Do you want a farmer husband?’
She scrunched up her nose. ‘Someone has to stay here to keep Eda out of trouble.’
He nodded. ‘Well, be smart tomorrow. There’ll be a lot of ale-infused men wandering around the place.’
‘The drunker the better. It gives us women a better chance of getting the ball.’
He blinked. ‘What?’
‘Eda’s insisting on joining the game.’
He shifted his weight. ‘I assume you told her no.’
‘I told her I would play too.’
‘Play?’ Harlan straightened. ‘I’m to remain in the farming borough for the event.’
