“The Seven switched with us! They’re in the tent.”
Keir had moved them all to that small, frigid tent? It was… uncharacteristically kind. Although, as I thought back to his drumming at Hedin’s pyre, his pleading for his people before the Lunar Feast, the kefir with honey, I thought perhaps it wasn’t so uncharacteristic. A smile hovered over my lips.
I gave Milena another hug and stepped back into the night’s chill.
Even from several yards away, I could hear the Seven. Their laughter and chatter practically boomed out of the thin fabric walls. I steeled myself and pushed the flap aside.
Warmth was the first thing I noticed. It had been a glacier when I’d visited Milena, but now it was toasty, as if there had been a fire burning all along. But there wasn’t one.
The second thing I noticed was the distinct smell of kefir.
The Seven were sprawled in various positions. Velka lay on her back, a tankard in her hand, cackling at a joke Dalla had just told. Cano giggled beside them, while Sillia leaned against the pole holding up the tent, large arms crossed over her chest, a small smile on her face. Senko of Crestbane sat separate from the others. He kept a bland smile on his face if only to look like he was part of the group, but it was obvious he was on his own.
Keir was on one of the cots beside Bain, whose jaw had fully healed. Neither of them bothered to look at me. They were too busy chuckling together. Clearly, what had happened at the Lunar Feast was behind them.
I should’ve thanked Keir for standing up for me. But between his aggravating behavior and my trek through the White Horns with Rade, it had slipped my mind.
“Your Majesty!” Velka exclaimed much too loudly as she staggered to her feet. “We’re so glad you came!”
“Thank you for having me,” I replied stiffly.
Velka threw her arm around my shoulders and whisper-shouted in my ear, “Sit by me.”
I didn’t even have the chance to respond before she yanked on my arm. I dropped onto the pile of hay beside her, trying and failing to swallow my wince as the movement pulled at the still-tender wounds in my leg and shoulders.
“Oh gods, I’m so sorry, Your Majesty,” Velka gushed.
“It’s all right. I’m fine.” I shifted to get comfortable. Despite Velka’s drunkenness, I was grateful she was there. Especially when I glanced around the room and found only one other smile sent my way, from Cano.
“Hey, Your Majesty,” Bain called from his spot on the otherside of the tent—not far enough to warrant a shout. “You ever try moose?”
“Excuse me?”
“Moose,” he repeated, and I just stared. “As in, the animal?”
“Oh. You mean—you mean have I eaten moose?”
“I’ll take that as a no.”
Keir snorted into his cup. I gritted my teeth as my shoulders drew up. Keir could be kind; he could also be a complete bastard.
We didn’t have moose in Ashorah. There was no reason I should have tried such an animal—never mind on a slave’s limited menu. Still, I felt as if I’d failed some test.
“We’re eating it tonight. You’ll like it,” Velka said quickly. “In fact, I’ll go get it.”
I snatched her wrist as she stood. I didn’t bother whispering, knowing every single Shifter in this tent would hear me, but I hoped the desperation in my eyes conveyed,Don’t go.
“I’ll be quick,” she assured me before stumbling out of the tent.
Throat dry, I turned back to the pack. They were suddenly all very silent, watching me, yellow eyes bright as stars. Predators observing prey. It made the hair on my neck stand up, and suddenly I was in Amunet’s room again, surrounded by the monsters of every scary story I’d ever been told.
I coughed awkwardly and ventured, “Thank you for letting the others use your lodge.”
Keir’s gaze was made of stone, offering absolutely no insight. None of the Seven said anything, either, letting the silence gather weight. I clenched my hands so tight, my knuckles turned white.
I couldn’t understand how this could be the same man who had sacrificed the comfort of his lodge for strangers—or how this could be the same man who had cradled me against his chest and looked at me with irises made of heat and want. Now he looked at me as he had that first night by the Frozen Sands. With disdain.
It bothered me that it bothered me.
