Page 148 of Ravenrose

When he notices my incredulous gaze, he gestures toward my untouched plate with his fork. “Eat, Rowan.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice, though irritation prickles through me at the thought of obeying an order from him without argument. But the delectable scent of honey bacon fills my nose, and all thoughts of the moody captain go out the window. I can’t even remember the last time I had something to eat.

Gods, the bacon tastes every bit as delicious as it smells. Smoky, salty, and perfectly crisp. It melts on my tongue, and I nearly moan out loud.

I devour a few more bites before reaching for the glass of water someone’s placed in front of me, taking a deep drink.

“So, Rowan,” Theo says brightly.

I glance up with the glass still at my lips.

“Now that you and Ayer have slept together⁠—”

I choke instantly. Water pours down the wrong way, burning my throat as my lungs violently reject it.

“Theo…” Ayer says, his voice dropping into a dark warning.

Theo blinks those blue eyes at the two of us like he’s nothing but an innocent angel of light. “What? Did you and the princess not sleep in the same bed last night?”

“No—I mean, yes, but—” I jump to clarify in between repeated coughs, but I’m still half choking on inhaled water.

“She’s injured,” Ayer growls, stabbing a hot cake with his fork. His eyes flash with a hint of the violence I know he’s capable of, darkening on the edges.

Theo pays his warning no mind, boldly leaning in before opening his mouth to continue.

Ayer sets down his fork.

Hayes clears his throat—loudly—before Theo can utter another word. “Princess,” he interjects tactfully, “it appears you could teach Wyatt here a thing or two about archery.” Ayer’s second-in-command elbows the youngest of Rusic’s crew, who rolls his eyes. “You certainly seem to know your way around a bow and arrow.”

I’m immediately grateful for the subject change, though surprised he addressed me directly.

“I’m an okay shot,” I answer carefully, suddenly aware that every pair of eyes at the table has turned toward me. “But I can never quite hit the bullseye. My shots always drift just a little to the left.”

Theo waves his hand dismissively at my self-criticism. “Nonsense! You nailed that raider who was about to gut me square in the forehead! You’re bloody lethal, Princess.”

I feel the weight of Ayer’s gaze fall upon my cheek, but I keep my eyes fixed on my plate. A small smile threatens my lips at the prince’s praise. I quickly shove another bite of eggs into my mouth in order to hide it.

They gave me a weapon. Trusted me to fight beside them.

Until now, only Riven and Fel knew of my skills. Kovari enemies or not, it’s admittedly a bit of a relief to have it out in the open; to have someone see the real me for once.

“I can barely hit the target at all,” Wyatt admits, rather sheepishly. “What you did yesterday was incredible.” I look up, finding a look of genuine awe on his face before his brow furrows. “I didn’t think the fae trained their women in combat?” His gaze slides to Ayer, who remains quiet. “Where did you learn to shoot?”

My fork freezes at the question, and I stare down at my plate for half a beat before looking intentionally at Wyatt. “My brothers taught me.” A rueful smile pulls at my lips before I can stop it. I miss them so much. “And I wasn’t exactly allowed; they had to train me in secret,” I admit, speaking carefully—far too well aware of how everyone at this table feels about my brothers. “But they felt it was important that I learned how to defend myself.”

My eyes flick briefly to Ayer. He’s watching me silently. An unreadable expression on his face.

The table’s fallen uncharacteristically quiet, and I straighten in my chair, washing away the look of sadness I know has fallen across my face. My eyes find Wyatt’s again. “I’d be happy to give you some pointers anytime.”

The young soldier smiles, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he nods enthusiastically back at me.

From there, the table falls back into easy conversation, and it’s not long until I find myself relaxing amid the close-knit crew of enemy soldiers.

Chapter 62

AYER

“And the rune is still there?”