“A thank you is enough.”
Lucien cleared his throat and schooled his expression. “Of course, the Liberation thanks you, as do I. But I assume you wish for compensation, Captain. What is your price?”
“That is not necessary.”
Wariness crossed Lucien’s face. “You are a mercenary. Surely there is a price. We wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting such a significant offer without offering something in return.”
Klyde glanced at her again, and a sly gleam entered his gaze. Heat rushed through her cheeks. Lucenna gave him a scathing look, silently warning that if he dared to make an unseemly comment to her brother, she would?—
“Then, if it’s not too much to ask, perhaps Lucenna wouldn’t mind casting a warding spell over Skelling Rise,” Klyde said to Lucien. “Keeping our presence hidden here is a top priority for us both. It would be best to visibly cloak the town as well.”
Lucenna smiled at him sharply. Of course. He had asked about a warding spell before. She had warned that he wouldn’t be able to afford her services, yet here he found a way to get them.
What else could she expect from a mercenary? All he cared about was getting what he wanted.
“That’s fair.” Lucien looked at her questioningly. “What do you think?”
She crossed her arms and shrugged. “I suppose.”
In the end, it didn’t matter as long as her people were safe.
“Captain, thank you. This is great news. It has been years since we have been able to relocate our people safely. This will bring new hope. I must inform the Liberation at once so they may begin preparations. I will be in contact again once we know more.” Lucien stood and nodded to her. “Take care, Lu.”
The glowing orb cleared. She and Klyde held a long stare.
“You have some nerve,” she finally said. “You ambush me in my room and go around me to bring your offer to my brother, knowing he would accept. Merely to get your town warded.”
Klyde frowned. “I suggested the warding spell, but we both know you would have placed one for the safety of your people.”
That was beside the point.
“Let’s not pretend this isn’t what you wanted. It’s all about gain for you,” she snapped.
“Oi.” He lifted his hands placatingly. “Calm down, love.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down,” she hissed.
“If I wanted a reward, I could have easily requested a fortune from your brother.” He sighed. “I don’t understand. Last we spoke of it you were grateful for the offer.”
“Exactly.Last we spoke.”
He shook his head. “Did you assume everything we discussed was a lie?”
She didn’t answer. Didn’t need to.
Klyde leaned on the desk and rubbed his face. “Look?—”
“No,youlook. I don’t care what you have to say or whatever excuse you wish to construct. I don’t trust you, Klyde. You flirted and seduced me with your stupid jests and flimsy charm to get close to us and learn our secrets. Youliedto me.” Lucenna clenched her teeth as magic sparked on her skin. “I will never believe anything you have to say again.”
His blue eyes softened as he searched her face. “I thought if I gave you some time, your anger would have lessened some, but I see now there was something I should have done from the beginning.” Klyde stood, his height towering over her. It reminded her of the night they were both right here in this same spot together. “I am sorry, Lucenna.”
She stared at him, completely taken aback.
He stepped closer. “I am sorry I wasn’t honest with you. I didn’t enjoy hiding myself from you or the others. The truth is, I find it difficult to speak about my past. If you can understand that.”
Lucenna looked away, because she of all people did understand.
Klyde sighed as he surveyed the room, and his eyes fell to the bedpost against the wall, where a name had been carved. “This was my bedroom once. I shared it with Tarn during my youth. Our father was a hard man, and this place might have been the only sanctuary we had from his wrath on the days he had too much to drink. Sometimes … it wasn’t enough, but Tarn had been there to protect us from the brunt of it … until he decided he was finished with that.”
