“Will it risk my life?” I asked, sounding like a coward.
“No. You would only go with me, and I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that would be a danger to you.” His expression was steady, calm.
He was serious about this.
And probably wanted to keep an eye on me, I realised. The prospect of helping with his estate and visiting other places was more interesting than any of the options I came up with.
“How would we go to the other estates?” I asked, searching his face for any indication that he was plotting something.
“I’ll fling us both there,” he answered briskly.
I debated whether I was comfortable with that for a few seconds. While it was unsettling to fling, it was very quick.
“And this is a serious proposal, or are you mocking again?” I had to make sure.
“As serious as Barracus.”
My leg bounced absently as I considered. He picked up on that.
“Well then, I agree to the trial,” I said cautiously, my voice betraying a hint of reluctance.
Reagan inclined his head, his eyes gleaming with something. “Good. Then it’s settled. We’ll leave for Erisea in two days.”
He stepped closer, his tone taking on an unsettlingly pleased edge. “I’m looking forward to seeing what else you’re capable of.”
He spun on his heel and strode away, leaving me to wonder if I had just made things worse for myself.
CHAPTER 13
“Emissary?” Cerridwen asked, her surprise carrying cleanly across the dinner table.
“And you accepted it?” Gwinifer’s voice cut in, her eyes holding mine in utter disbelief.
I could only nod, grateful my mouth was full.
Cerridwen observed me, dumbfounded, as if the idea of us agreeing on anything, let alone working together, was some impossible twist of reality.
That thought had followed me all day. More than once, I had considered asking for a different assignment or saying I had changed my mind altogether. But what job would he ever trust me with? I was certain Reagan had picked this one just to keep an eye on me. And perhaps there were opportunities to be found in following him around.
“My, my,” Finn murmured, rubbing his chin in mild amusement.
“And how will she travel on her own?” Cerridwen asked, her gaze swivelling to Reagan.
I didn’t blame her. In less than a month, I went from being a prisoner to being an emissary to the estate. Of course, they would have a lot of questions, maybe advise against it.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Barracus Crow. He hadn’t yet spoken, though his furrowed brow suggested he wasn’t happy about this. I wondered what he made of Reagan’s judgement.
“She’ll travel with Finnegan or me,” Reagan replied smoothly, as if he were prepared for these questions already.
The room fell into a brief, tense silence. Reagan waited, showing no sign of self-doubt, his eyes moving from face to face.
Crow finally spoke, his voice a low, cold sound that raised the hairs on my arms. “So you intend to place your trust in her, a creature who is a stranger and whose reason for trespassing remains unknown.”
Reagan regarded his adviser. “I trust that I can handle her.”
I felt a wisp of concern at what it meant tohandleme. And, in truth, this job suggested the opposite of trust.
“A temporary position, then?” Finn asked. “Interesting.”
