“Mine!” Jax says in surprise.
“Yes. Not forever, of course, because he’s old and slow, but he’s a steady mount for learning. Prince Rhen arranged for it.”
Jax clamps his mouth shut at that.
I want to remind him that the prince hehatesisn’t going to leave him at a disadvantage, so of course he’ll have a horse. Knowing Rhen, Jax will probably have anything else he could want, too.
Jax’s eyes have gone cool, so I keep my eyes on the horse and continue. “I wanted to introduce you to Master Hugh, but he’s seeing the miller tonight, so you’ll have to meet him tomorrow. He runs the stables, and he trains the recruits who can’t ride. His daughter married a soldier from Syhl Shallow a few years ago, so he actually speaks Syssalah fairly well—”
“Someone else here speaks Syssalah?”
The eagerness in his voice drives that spike of tension a little deeper. I remember what he said about needing a nail and not knowing how to ask. “Yes,” I say. “I saw him this morning and told him I’ve taught you a little on Mercy. He said you can come every night after dinner and he’ll put you in with the recruits.”
Jax was stroking a hand along Teddy’s muzzle, but at this, he goes still. “Everynight?”
I nod. “You’ll learn quick. Recruits are usually riding point-to-point after a month.”
His eyes widen a little at that, but he runs a hand down the horse’sface, and Teddy presses his head against his chest. Jax murmurs a soft word, rubbing under his mane.
I watch, transfixed for a moment. He’s always so kind to horses. It was one of the first things I noticed about him. Jax seemed brusque and petulant, but when it came to Mercy, his touch was so gentle, his voice so soft.
His eyes flick up to find mine, and my heart gives a tug. I want to pull him into this stall and bury my hands in his hair and forget every oath I’ve ever sworn. He’s so close, the air between us buzzing with warmth.
Down the aisle behind me, the last two soldiers are being raucous and loud as they untack their horses. They’re the only ones left, and they’re not happy about it. Jax frowns, his eyes skipping past me to see what they’re doing.
“They’re angry?” he guesses.
“They’re hungry,” I tell him. “They were delayed getting off the field, and they’re saying that whoever’s last will only get scraps.”
Stall doors slam, and some of the nearby horses jump, but Teddy doesn’t move. I want to tell the soldiers to knock it off, but I remember what it was like to be the last man to the mess hall at the end of a long day. Jax’s expression turns wary as he draws back into the stall, and I realize he’s remembering the hostility of the soldiers on the journey with us.
“It’s all right,” I say. “They just want their dinner.”
The soldiers draw close, and I hear one of them muttering behind me. “Apparently they have too many traitors in their own country, so now they’re sending the broken ones here.”
The other one snorts. “Raglan said one of them lured another monster over the mountains.” He spits at the ground at our feet as he passes.
I whip around, but at first, I’m moreshockedthan anything else.
“Hey,” I snap.
They barely turn, but the first one smirks. “Why don’t you take your trash back where you came from?” Then he keeps walking.
I don’t recognize either of them, but they’re young, with no stripes on their livery. I’m not in my own armor, so I’m sure they have no idea who I am, but I still can’t quite believe the blatant disrespect.
Actually, I can. I lived through it in Syhl Shallow.
My shoulders are so tight. I inhale to call after them, to force them to attention, to threaten to have them stripped of their rank and duty.
What I really want to do is draw a sword I’m not carrying and find some kind of release for all the anger and frustration I’m carrying in my heart.
“Tycho.” Jax’s voice cuts through my fury. He’s still beside the horse, but he’s pulled back fully into the stall. His hazel-green eyes are dark and shadowed.
“Don’t pick a fight,” he says.
I scowl. “I’m not going to pick a fight.”
I justwantto.
