For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air ripe with building tension.
“Take it as a thank you for all of your help.” She offered.
“What I did, I did freely. I never asked for your ‘Thank yous.”
“Well, I never asked for your help, but here we are.” Alex bit back. “You should have just let me leave on my own.”
“That’s not the kind of man I am.”
Alex rolled her eyes. She hated when men went all chivalrous. She wasn’t a damsel in distress and could very well take care of herself. Hurt and anger flashed through his eyes at her show of annoyance. Turning away, he dumped their dishes in the washbasin and walked out the back door without another word.
What the hell was that about? She knew that she wasstubborn but his volatile response left her confused. Alex didn’t have time to think upon it for long though; she needed to get moving. Looking around the kitchen, she made a note of the supplies that Davin would likely need, as he hadn’t given her a list, and she wasn’t about to go after him to find out. Whatever she didn’t get, he could go retrieve himself. She threw on her pack and was out the front door. The long walk to Lasair would be worth it to avoid further argument with Davin. She could get in and out unnoticed if she was on foot; a horse would draw too much attention. She would get her message out to the Recovery Battalion and then she needed to see a blacksmith.
Davin
The absurd words he’d uttered rolled around in his mouth. That’s not the kind of man he was. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but he had no blasted control of his tongue when it came to Alex being unreasonable. Where the hell had that come from? He was not a good man, not even a decent man. Sure, he had morals that he tried to abide by, but good? No. A good man wouldn’t be pining over a woman who was clearly still hung up on someone, who she very obviously came here to see.
Alex was from Brynn; she’d said so on their travels. She’d also made it a point to stop them from taking things further at the inn, and then again last night. At first, he had tried talking to her, asking about her, her family, her friends, if there was a reason, a someone whom she loved or cared for, but she always managed to be evasive or give half answers or make upsome excuse why the horses needed water or even once or twice she’d simply pretended not to hear him. More than likely it was because she had been on her way to seehim. Jealousy coursed through Davin’s veins bright and hot, startling him out of his thoughts. She was gorgeous, sexy, admittedly dangerous, and damned smart. Why wouldn’t he want her? Besides the fact that he knew basically nothing significant about her. Or that she was being hunted for an undetermined reason, or maybe simply because he wasn’t sureshewantedhim.
Davin had let his temper get away from him. He knew she didn’t deserve that. He wasn’t used to women making demands of him though. He was usually the one in charge, the one who took complete control. Alex was different though; she pushed back and tested his patience. And by Anva, he couldn't get enough of it. But that was a dangerous thought path. It left him wanting things she clearly didn’t want in return.
The mare that he was brushing let out a whinny, drawing his focus back to the task at hand. Alex had been right; there was a lot to do, though he’d never admit that to her.
Alex
It had been easier to get the correspondence out than Alex had anticipated. Lasair’s steady thrum of activity welcomed her home. Although much had changed since she left, the landmarks of her childhood remained. Growing up, Alex had known the smell of hot metal and fire, forest and sky, surrounded by so many sounds at all times.The path she walked now, her feet knew better than any other, even with so much time having passed since she last took these steps.
When she reached the front of the forge, she inhaled deeply, heat barrelling into her from the open windows on either side of the door. Alex knew she’d be drenched in sweat the moment she entered, but she still smiled as she walked in.
There was no sneaking up on Caius Ember. He knew you were there almost before you knew yourself. Alex threw her hands on her hips at the darkly tanned man standing before her, wiping sweat from his brow. He was already moving towards her, quicker than she thought possible, his salt and pepper hair falling longer than she remembered. “Hi, Dad,” she squeaked as he enveloped her in a tight hug, closing completely around her small frame.
“My girl is home.” Such a wide smile looked ridiculous on his intimidating features. She could only grin into his chest. Pulling back, Alex looked up into his dark blue eyes, her own brimming with tears that she had held at bay for months. He was the one person in the entire realm who might offer some help, some saving grace of information.
“Are you well? Are you injured?” Caius spoke softly, cupping her face in his big hands.
“I’m fine, just bone weary from my travels. It’s been a hell of a few months for me.”
He gazed down at her, refusing to release her as he searched for his answer in her eyes.
“Brandon!” Caius barked to the back room. A young boy with floppy brown hair and freckles popped his head in, his eyes growing wide at the sight of Alex.
“I’m going out for a bit. Have Marta’s blades shined and ready when I return.”
“Yes, sir,” Brandon replied without hesitation.
Her father steered her out the door and onto the street. Hecould always sense her underlying turmoil. He had seen it clearly in her eyes. Alex opened her mouth, words filling it, on the verge of tumbling. Caius shook his head slightly.
“Not here. Not yet.” He warned.
Wordlessly, he pulled her down the familiar streets. Buildings lined the lane, most looking more derelict in appearance than she remembered. Nestled into the foray was a pub, just a little bit down the way from his shop. The Black Rose stood tall, red shutters along the windows, rose bushes laden with full blooms out front.
“When did this get built?” She asked as she looked around, noting the hidden roses carved into the wooden accents.
“A few years back,” Caius said, leading her through the throng of patrons. It was busy for early afternoon. She had expected him to sit at one of the empty tables or even the bar, but he beckoned her to a hallway off to the side. The barkeep slipped towards them and, without a word, opened a door leading to a back room set with a round table and chairs. This was clearly a private meeting place. He gestured for her to sit at the table between them. Ordering a drink for them both, he turned back to Alex, the barkeep hurrying away.
“Still well known, I see.” Alex mused, lifting one brow.
“It pays to have the right connections.”
