Sit on a stump? While they decided her fate? She wasn’t some damsel to be managed. She was Mistel Wepp: songwriter, performer, and perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
She kicked the stump a few times, circled it until she’d made a trench in the snow, then climbed up to try and spot Cole over the tops of the tents.
That was the extent of her patience. She jumped down and strode in the direction Cole had gone, intent on finding some way to prove she belonged.
Chapter 5
Cole
Cole couldn’t decide if he wanted to cheer or scream.
Mistel had followed him. Him! These past two weeks he’d thought she hated him. Clearly not. Yet her being here was also his worst nightmare. How could he want something so desperately yet dread it at the same time?
That Achan, Sir Caleb, Prince Oren, and Kurtz all knew this girl had followed him embarrassed him to no end. Did they think he had encouraged her to come?
He pondered this as he sat cross-legged with Kurtz in the tent they shared, both of their thoughts inexplicitly linked in a telepathic group meeting started by the king.
I have informed Prince Oren and Sir Caleb of the situation, Achan bloodvoiced. They are here listening as well. Before I share our opinions on this matter, Cole, I’d like to hear yours.
“I didn’t invite her here, Your Highness,” Cole said aloud. “I swear. In fact, I told her she couldn’t come.”
None of that matters at present, the king voiced. What is your will?
Cole’s will? Did he truly get a say?
“Honestly, I don’t know, sir. She’s not wrong about her ability to woo a crowd. We’d stand a better chance of getting hired to play with her than on our own.”
In fact, with Mistel at Cole’s side, they could give Jeffrey some decent competition, get hired to play at the Black Boar.
Yet I sense some hesitation in your words, the king voiced.
Plenty. “Just that I don’t feel equipped to protect her,” Cole said.
When he blundered in a fight with Kurtz by his side, Kurtz’s training gave the man the ability to protect himself. What training did Mistel have?
He’s not equipped to protect her, Kurtz said, which smarted. But he’s right about her skill with a crowd. She’s also downright cunning. If we could be certain of her allegiance…
Oh, I’m certain of that, Achan said. Uncle? Sir Caleb? What say you?
We all know the distraction a woman can be in the wrong situation, Sir Caleb said. This, to me, feels like the wrong situation for Cole.
Of course Sir Caleb would say that.
Yet, if she’s on his side…Prince Oren said. On our side. Brought into our confidence…She could be invaluable. I have too few women in the Mârad.
No offense, Your Highness, Sir Caleb voiced, but that’s for good reason. The Mârad is extremely dangerous, and Miss Wepp has no self-defense training of any kind.
Can we stop her from following Cole and making matters worse? Prince Oren asked.
If she causes a scene or interferes in some way, then I could warrant the use of force to detain her, Achan said. But I don’t feel right telling her where she can and can’t go.
We’re just over halfway to Tsaftown, Kurtz said. We could give it a few more weeks. See how she behaves in camp.
I don’t like her being the only female there, Sir Caleb said. I daresay Lord Livna won’t like it either. He must be informed.
I disagree, Prince Oren said. The woman hid herself well and was only discovered because the king used his magic to seek her out. No one else will be looking for a woman. If she can keep her identity hidden, that proves her mettle.
Derby Wenk knows, Kurtz said, but I can talk to him.
