Page 134 of Ravenrose

Ayer’s mouth tightens, but he doesn’t look up from his task. “Fae raiders. If we don’t stop them, they’ll raze the village and take anyone left alive as slaves.”

I swallow hard. Last week, I wouldn’t have believed a word of it. But after the past few days, I’m having a hard time calling Ayer a liar.

He looks for his sword, hesitating after stepping forward, realizing I’m in the way. I take a slight step back, watching him swing the heavy blade across his back.

“I want to come.”

He freezes. Both Ayer and Theo’s gazes snap my way.

“I can help,” I add, lifting my chin a little higher.

“No.” Ayer’s answer is immediate. Final.

“I can have Hayes stay behind,” Theo offers.

Ayer doesn’t answer, studying me instead. Despite our brief moments of truce, I don’t trust him, and he sure as hell doesn’t trust me.

“You’re not leaving me behind,” I state flatly, looking him in the eye.

“I can’t keep my eye on you and fight off raiders.”

My jaw clenches. “Then find me some leathers. I’ll help you.” My voice drops. “Last night, you said you wouldn’t leave me again.”

Ayer’s jaw flexes, and he gives me a dark look.

“I’ll… be in the hall,” Theo murmurs, backing slowly out of the room and shutting the door behind him.

“I’m going.”

“You’re not going.” Ayer steps closer. So close, I have to tilt my head to keep his eye.

“Yes. I. Am.” I cross my arms across my chest. The fire in my blood is currently burning too hot for any fear of him to get in the way.

“The lives of innocent people hang in the balance. I can’t have you using this situation to your advantage for another one of your half-baked escape attempts.”

Something similar to hurt pricks at my chest, and I narrow my eyes.

“I’m not going to run,” I snap. “I can help. And like Theo said, you’re outnumbered.” I pause, wondering how far I can push him. “Give me a bow, and I promise, I’ll still be yours when the battle is over.”

Silence stretches, and my words hang between us. A muscle feathers in Ayer’s jaw, and there’s a new intensity in his eyes that I can’t quite decipher.

“Please.”

He stares down at me so hard I’m nearly certain he’s going to have me dragged back down to the cells, with Hayes posted outside, when he clears his throat.

“Theo?”

“Yeah?” the prince shouts back through the closed door.

“Have someone find the girl some leathers. We’ll meet you outside in ten.”

I blink. A slow, dangerous satisfaction spreads through me, and I work to keep it off my face.

“Don’t forget the bow,” I whisper, one hand half cupped around my mouth.

Ayer rolls his eyes before calling out again. “And a bow.” A look of annoyance flashes across his face before he sizes me up. “Princess sized,” he adds pointedly, and I consider flashing a fang at him.

Shaking his head, as if he already has regrets, he finishes strapping on his own leathers.