Makatza glared at her captain, appalled at the idea.
“I’d be honored,” Kaz said, removing his knife from its place pressed against her skin. He tucked it back into his leather holster, taking his eyes off of the opponent in front of him without a care in the world.
“I didn’t say I agreed.”
“Fine, then I yield.”
“What?” She gawked.
“Is that not what you wanted?” He cocked a brow. “Your friends are waiting for you.”
Makatza withdrew her knife and pointed a finger between Kaz’s eyes. “We will have a rematch. First to draw blood will be named the winner. No games.”
Kaz beamed. “I’ll be waiting.”
Not one for hugs, I let Makatza wrap an arm around my shoulder and leaned my head against her. “I’ve missed you, Mak.”
“I’ve missed you too, tzuk vartu.” Little flower in her precious, native Orcish tongue. I’d always found her nickname for me endearing. I’d tried to get her to teach me the language on several occasions, but it was difficult to get my mouth to form the words—It hadn’t come as naturally as Elvish.
Kaelias and Lorian exchanged a handful of coins, and the sound made Makatza’s head snap to the two of them, straining her neck to see who’d pocketed the winnings. “Who bet against me?”
The two exchanged a look, but neither said anything to damn the other.
“Why don’t we sit down for that meal?” I attempted to distract her. “Elle, would you like to join us?”
She shook her head. “No, I won’t interrupt. I’ll meet you back in our room.”
I let her go and followed my captain and crew to their wing of the Consortium. There was already a spread of meats, cheeses, fresh bread, and fruit laid out across the long, rectangular table in the main room. The smell alone had my mouth watering. I hadn’t had a decent meal in days, and my stomach was suddenly aware of that fact. We each filled our plates and cups and took a seat.
“Do you always eat like kings here?” I asked, dipping a warm piece of bread into the oil. “Was I the only one subjected to the Mages’ apparent staple diet of soup or porridge?”
“Only after we succeed in our missions.” Lorian winked.
I dropped my bread. “Wait—you found the mystery item—place—thing Alandris was looking for?”
He nodded.
“So… what was it?”
His throat bobbed, and he swallowed a large gulp of his wine. “Our instructions are to keep the name and location secret for now.”
I tugged my bottom lip between my teeth. “Of course.”
I made to stand, but Kaelias gripped my shoulder. He shook his head at me.
“Why do I feel less and less a part of this crew lately?” My throat grew tight, and I forced the feeling down, letting my angeroverpower it. “I am the healer of the Phoenix Heart. When did that change?”
“It hasn’t changed,” Lorian spoke. “It will not change. So long as you desire a place on this crew, that role will be yours, Nairu. From the moment you joined my crew, I had a duty as your captain to protect you. Though you may not understand it yet, I’m fulfilling that duty. I asked you to trust me before we left. I hope you still can.”
“Is it because of Zaelos?”
Lorian blinked slowly, providing the answer I suspected.
“You knew?” I dug my nails into my thighs.
“Tzuk vartu,” Makatza whispered. “We do not aim to betray you. It is all to keep you safe.”
I did not draw my eyes away from Lorian. “You knew,” I repeated. We both understood it was not a question.
