CHAPTER NINE
After parting with Deckard, Evylin and Thom found Rafferty lingering in the dining hall. He was piling a plate full of the last bits of breakfast while the cook, Mrs. Howerth, glared at him.
“Eve!” Rafferty called as they walked in. “I’ve got your breakfast. No thanks to this old bag.”
Hastily, Evylin apologized to Mrs. Howerth and then pulled Rafferty to a table in the far corner. Thom managed to patch up relations with the cook and procured cups of tea for them as Evylin tucked into her meal.
Once they were all seated, Rafferty leaned forward, brows raised. “Did you hear the news?” he asked.
“What news?” Evylin asked around a bite of browned bread.
“Little Loxley’s done got himself into Highlady Calder’s knickers.”
Evylin choked on the bread at the same time Thom choked on a sip of tea. “I beg your pardon—what?” she asked.
Rafferty’s eyes glimmered as he reached across the table to nudge Thom’s arm.
“You know how Lox decided to get chatty with her earlier?” At Thom’s hesitant nod, he continued, “Well, I tried to listen in, but with you prattling on about the beguiling lieutenant, I had a hard time getting all the details.”
“You’re the one who asked about Brea,” Thom protested.
Rafferty ignored him. “But then Lox stepped out on his own while Ilain spoke with her brothers. Shortly after, the three of them disappeared, leaving Isla and her daughter behind, and that Graicelle girl came to get Thommy. So I did what any sane man would—I eavesdropped.”
Though Evylin felt she was missing a few key details to fully understand Rafferty’s story, she smirked and said, “Naturally, of course.”
Rafferty winked at her. “And wouldn’t you know it,” he said, “the Calder girl was all enthusiasm over the news that her aunt was going to be married.”
“Married?” Evylin and Thom said in unison, then shared a look.
“Isn’t it bloody ridiculous?” Rafferty laughed uproariously. “The kid’s too young. He’s got so much life to live! He’s wasting his best years.”
Evylin frowned. “I will admit I think it hasty, but I fail to understand how he’s wasting his life by marrying,” she said.
Thom set a hand on Evylin’s arm. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to, Evie,” he advised, then turned back to Rafferty. “You’re sure you didn’t misunderstand?”
Rafferty set a hand to his chest in offense. “I never misunderstand, Thommy. It’s my job to procure information.”
“Technically, that’s not your job,” Thom said. “It doesn’t make sense, though. Why would Deckard be included in a meeting like that?”
“Maybe he’s not,” Evylin offered. “Perhaps it’s a completely separate meeting.”
“Then where are Ethenn and the rest of the Calders?”
Evylin shrugged. “Either way, I don’t think we should discuss it until we have more information. You two are as bad as my aunt, Serene.”
“Your aunt sounds like a splendid woman,” Rafferty mocked, then scooted his chair back to prop his feet on the table. “Very well, we’ll allow Loxley his privacy for Evylin’s sensibilities. And you, Thommy-boy, can regale me with tales of that lieutenant again. I wasn’t listening the first time.”
Thom rolled his eyes. “There isn’t much to tell,” he said. “Honestly, I learned more about Vayden and Isla than I did about Brea.”
“Brea?” Evylin prompted. “You’re on a first-name basis.”
Thom looked at her blandly. “Don’t make something out of it, Evie. She’s an interesting woman, but she’s too old and too magical for me. Besides, the Alliance wants her to Bond with one of their Mages.”
Suddenly, Evylin remembered Auden’s special attention to Lieutenant Lohen the previous night. “Ah. She and Auden have a thing, then?” she asked.
Thom snorted. “Auden wishes. It’s his life’s goal to Bond with a Warrior, but she’s not interested in him.”
“It seems the Calder siblings share that goal,” Evylin remarked.
“Do you really think it makes people better in bed?” Rafferty asked abruptly, and Evylin kicked his shin. “Ow! It was Ilain who said it.”
“It isn’t polite conversation,” Evylin returned.
“Says you.” Rafferty turned back to Thom. “So who does the lovely lieutenant have a thing for?”
Thom lifted his teacup. “I couldn’t say. We didn’t discuss her love life, only that she’s thoroughly disinterested in being Auden’s last resort.”
Rafferty sighed. “Then what did you learn about her?”
After a moment of thought, the corner of Thom’s mouth lifted. “She’s fun,” he reported.
“Fun, eh?” Rafferty’s eyes danced. “Do tell.”
Thom settled back in his seat, considering. “Flirting with her is like playing with a knife,” he said. “You’re pretty sure you’re gonna get nicked, but it’ll be damn thrilling in the meantime.”
Rafferty howled with laughter, and Evylin couldn’t help smiling. “You like her,” she noted.
Thom tipped his head to the side. “I’ll admit I admire her more than most women,” he said plainly. “She’s quick-witted, frighteningly beautiful, and I’m convinced she’d gut any man who tried to touch her. It’s an attractive quality, knowing you could die at a woman’s hand.”
Evylin elbowed him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I am.” Thom set his empty cup on the table.
“But I’m not fool enough to think anything will come of it.
Lieutenant Breata Lohen is a daunting woman of impressive caliber.
Even if she was interested in me, I’m not of value to her or the Alliance.
I’ll happily find myself a woman of less repute to prove my worth to. Maybe your little sister.”
Evylin scoffed at the quip. “Oh, now you want Calyn? All it took was a near-death experience?”
Thom gave her a teasing look. “Well, she is prettier than you, even if she isn’t as . . . muscular.”
She threw a bite of egg at him, thankful to have her friend back.
After his foolish confession a week ago, Evylin worried that she’d lost her best friend, her brother.
That’s what Thom had become to her over the last three and a half months of traveling and fighting side by side.
She’d trusted him and relied on him. When he’d professed his love for her, her anger came not only from the sense of betrayal of Deckard but also from the loss of the friend she’d gained.
But Thom had rectified his mistakes. He apologized and admitted to his jealousy. On their journey to Mouroc, he’d ridden at her side, explaining everything. He’d begged her forgiveness and told her he would spend the rest of his life making up for the idiocy of his actions.
Evylin hadn’t hesitated to forgive him.
“You two,” Rafferty said with a proud gleam. “It’s good to see you back to normal.”
Smiling, Evylin threw another bit of egg at him for good measure. “What about you, Raff?” she asked. “If Thom isn’t interested in pursuing the lieutenant—Breata, was it? Well then, the path is wide open for you. Sounds as though you’d find her a splendid challenge.”
Rafferty sniggered. “Oh, I’d certainly give it a go. As Thommy said, she’s right stunning with her fierce look. Though she’s a bit skinny for my tastes.”
“I’d imagine that’s muscle under those clothes,” Thom said.
With a sly look, Rafferty twirled a teaspoon between his fingers. “I’d be happy to do some reconnaissance to find out,” he said.
“I bet you would.”
Evylin huffed at their innuendos. But then she suddenly wondered about Rafferty’s true interest. She remembered, at the start of their appointment to the Order of the King, Rafferty had mentioned an attraction to Ilain, though he’d never pursued her.
It was possible his restraint was because he knew of Ethenn’s more genuine interest. However, Rafferty always showed interest in others’ love affairs, so it seemed only natural that he should want one too.
“Raff,” she found herself asking, “have you ever had a sweetheart?”
Rafferty’s chin tipped up, his wily eyes glimmering wickedly. “Depends on your definition of the term,” he said.
“Don’t ask, Evie,” Thom cautioned.
“What?” Evylin asked, gesturing to Rafferty. “I just want to know if Raff has ever been in love.”
“Depends on your definition. . . .” Rafferty said in a singsong cadence.
The mischievous glint in his eye gave Evylin the answer. Her nose scrunched in disbelief. “Rafferty! Are you a philanderer?”
The weasel sniggered. “That’s a fancy term. Not sure I quite warrant it, but I have been known to . . . dally with fine ladies here and there. Can’t say I’d consider it love, though. I’d be happy to regale you with stories of my conquests if you’d like.”
Evylin grimaced, pushing her plate away. “No, thank you.”
Thom chuckled. “I told you not to ask,” he said.
“Forgive me if I thought my friends to be gentlemen,” she returned.
Rafferty snorted. “We can’t all be your incorruptible colonel, Eve. We men have needs. Just because he’s a masochist doesn’t mean the rest of us men have to suffer.”
“You’re deplorable.”
“I’m realistic,” Rafferty said, sitting forward. “Should you have married any other man, you wouldn’t have had three and a half months to make up your ruddy mind.”
“I should hope that’s not true,” Evylin said. “If so, I’m sorely disappointed in the quality of men in this world.”
Thom shook his head. “It isn’t as bad as all that,” he said lightheartedly. “But yeah, Jonn is the exception. Should I have been put in his situation—with any attractive woman, mind you—my patience would have run out at around a month.”
“A month?” Evylin exclaimed. “That’s hardly enough time to get to know a stranger, let alone to—to . . .”
“Evylin, men don’t need a month. We need about ten minutes. Maybe less if she’s charming enough.”
“You’re deplorable too.”
“I’m not saying it makes it right,” Thom said casually. “Nor that we act on it most times. All I’m saying is that Jonn is a better man than the rest of us. And you’re lucky to have him.”
Evylin had no doubt of that. She’d grown up with Hewitt teaching her to be wary of men’s baser instincts as well as novels declaiming the sordid ways of the world.
But they were always stories to her, figments that didn’t have faces.
After marriage to Deckard, she struggled to imagine life with a man of lesser morals.
A fact for which she found herself infinitely thankful.
At the far side of the room, Ethenn appeared in the kitchen doorway. His shoulders visibly relaxed when he saw them.
“Tallyho, little Loxley,” Rafferty called derisively. “You catch your quarry?”
Ethenn eyed him with his usual reserved demeanor. “What are you talking about?” he asked.
“A redhead about my height with an ample undercarriage from all accounts.”
Jaw tight and ears pink, Ethenn glared at him. Then he turned to Evylin. “Morning,” he said calmly. “Deckard wanted me to tell you that he’s gone to visit with Lord Obel. He’s running late, or he would have said goodbye himself.”
“Oh.” Evylin tried to quell her disappointment. “Well, thank you, Ethenn. I believe his appropriate address is highlord, though.”
“No, he’s a duke, and apparently that outranks his magical status,” Ethenn noted. “Also, we’re supposed to meet in The Rook this afternoon. Lieutenant Lohen is returning then, so we can discuss our plans.”
“Hey!” Thom said, slapping Rafferty’s boot, his heels still resting on the table. “You’ll get to try your charms on her.”
“Bloody fantastic,” Rafferty agreed, hopping up. “In that case, why don’t we head over to The Rook now?”
“It’ll be at least an hour before we meet, won’t it?” Evylin asked.
“Probably more like three from the sounds of the colonel’s meeting,” Ethenn confirmed.
Rafferty brushed a hand through the air. “The tavern won’t even be open until this evening.”
Evylin raised her brow. “If it isn’t open, how are we going to get in?”
With a wink, Rafferty produced a small iron key. “I’d say this’ll do the trick.”
“Did you steal that?” she reprimanded.
“No.” He gave her a snide grin. “The lovely Madam Imelda gave it to me.”
“Imelda?” Thom scoffed. “She’s got to be twice your age.”
“She’s thirty-eight and a widow,” Rafferty said matter-of-factly. “Giving her a good time’s the least I can do.”
As Thom laughed and Ethenn failed to contain a smirk, Evylin blew out a perturbed breath. “I don’t like you anymore,” she lamented.
Rafferty headed for the door, grinning broadly over his shoulder. “As I’m not interested in your knickers, Eve, I don’t rightly care.”
Unable to hold her laughter at bay, Evylin followed the men out the back door to the courtyard.
Rafferty led them to the tavern, key ready in hand.
A soft wind blew into the open space, nipping at their noses in the late morning.
The horses nickered in their stalls, and the stable boy, Coalum, waved as they passed by.
“Do you know,” Thom began as they waited for Rafferty to open the door, “this is the first time it’s just been the four of us since we made it to Loclight.”
Looking over the men, Evylin realized it was true.
Since she’d left Whickam Village, these soldiers had become her brothers, her dearest friends.
In only three and a half short months, she’d formed a whole new family.
They each possessed qualities she loved: Thom, with his passion and tenderness, Rafferty, with his good humor and cunning, and Ethenn, with his level head and fierceness.
Evylin smiled, joining them in the cozy tavern. Despite everything she’d lost, somehow, she’d found even more. Deckard. These men. Even the Calders meant more to her than she’d ever expected.
Playing with her rings as Rafferty tried to coax information about his morning activities out of Ethenn, Evylin brushed her fingers along the ivy etching.
Hewitt had given her this family, who understood, accepted, and loved her.
How she missed him, but how grateful she was to him too.
He’d always known just what she needed, and he’d always provided it to her.
And with him in her memory, she promised to accept his gift without allowing a trace of fear to taint it.