“Shut up.”
He whistles low, through his teeth. “And here I thought I was babysitting therecruit. I didn’t realize I’d have to babysit y—”
I shove him in the arm and he chuckles.
Unfortunately we’ve come into view of the others, and I realize they’re all looking at us. Leo’s eyes are on the turkey, and his expression lights up. But Sephran’s gaze is still cool— especially when he leans in to murmur something. Beside him, Jax’s eyes go just as cold.
I nearly stop short.
“Silver hell,” Malin mutters. He gives an aggravated sigh. “Come on.” “What?” I grumble. “Why doyousound annoyed?”
“Because a month ago, I could just pull a flask from my saddlebags and let you all work this out.”
I flick my eyes skyward. “You still can, Mal.”
“No. I’m a senior officer.” He jerks an arrow out of his quiver and whacks me with it again. “That means I’ve got to deal with it.”
This time, I snatch the arrow right out of his hand. “No. You don’t. It’s fine.I’mfine.”
“Hey.” Malin grabs my bracer, pulling me to a stop. We’re still out of earshot, but the others can see everything we’re doing. I’m very aware of Jax’s gaze . . . and Sephran’s. Leo is staring with the unabashed curiosity of a recruit who senses trouble.
“Let me go,” I say, and the words almost come out like a growl.
For a moment, he doesn’t, and I wonder ifwe’regoing to have conflict. The weight of honor and duty flicker between us. I’m not a soldier, so Malin doesn’t outrank me. But I don’t really outrank him either. Our roles are too different, our sworn obligations inconsistent. He’s sworn to Emberfall— but I’m sworn to the king.
“Look,” he says quietly. “I know I’m not in charge of you.” His eyes flick toward the camp. “But I’m in charge ofthem.”
In his voice, I hear the weight of his obligation— and I hear how deeply he feels it. There’s a reason Grey saw fit to award Malin this rank, and I’m seeing it right now.
Actually, I saw it ten minutes ago, when he saw my distress, then dragged me into the woods to hunt for dinner.
But I also hear the heavy implication behind his words: I can be a prick and prolong this— or I can let him do his duty and lead his men.
This isn’t a reprimand, but it stings like one anyway. I exhale heavily, my jaw tight. “I’ll fix it.”
“Yeah?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
He lets go of my arm and claps me on the shoulder. We turn back for the camp.
Once we join the others, tension tries to cling to the air, but hunger takes priority, and for the most part, the soldiers ignore me. Leo helps Sephran field dress the turkey, and when they all vote for Malin to cook the meat, I don’t protest.
I actually don’t say much of anything at all. Malin’s words are weighing on me. I don’t want to be a problem he has to deal with, and I said I’d fix it.
So I sit, I eat, I keep my mouth shut. I listen to their gossip and hide my surprise at how much Jax participates— at how much Sephran andLeo welcome him into their circle. I keep my eyes on my food and offer nothing of my own.
But the whole time, I’m keenly aware of Jax, sitting on the other side of the fire. The light flickers off his hazel eyes, sparking in his hair, gleaming on the buckles of his armor and the few weapons he wears.
My heart gives a tug, but I dodge his gaze. I wait for him to say something. Ihopefor him to say something.
He doesn’t. So I don’t either.
But all night long, I feel the weight of his presence all the same.
CHAPTER 11
JAX
