Chapter 6
“You need to rest,”Melodie said.
She’d noticed how he’d collapsed onto the log near the furnace, and she had seen the pain on his face as she’d freed him.
It was a handsome face, with straight, dark brows and sharp cheekbones.
He was a little intimidating, as well, but when he’d promised she would never have anything to fear of him, she had believed him. And her ring had not so much as twinged.
“Unfortunately, you’re right.” He rose to his feet, and she thought she saw a tiny wince as he reached his full height.
She was tall, but he was much taller—a true Cervantes warrior from what she’d observed of the breed when they came through Illoa on diplomatic trips.
Both the men and the women were tall and muscular, their hair dark, their eyes light. From what she could see, he was not lying about his rank or affiliation.
She had seen uniforms like the one he wore many times.
The Cervantes hadn’t worn uniforms for a long time, but slowly, after they’d defeated Kassia and as Kassia and Cervantes became a united kingdom, they had begun to see the value in representing the country, even if it was a more informal uniform than many other armies.
The trousers were usually black, but sometimes dark gray. The shirt beneath their dark jackets, which were cut a specific way to enable easy sword work and archery, was the most prized item by the soldiers. They were said to be embroidered by the queen herself.
Melodie had long known that each one was spelled with protection. Which meant either the queen of Kassia and Cervantes was a spell worker, or she employed one to protect her troops.
Suddenly realizing the import of that, she fixed her gaze on the pale gray collar of his shirt, visible beneath his jacket. “Is that your shirt from the queen?” she asked.
He frowned, momentarily confused by her question. “No. We only each get one, and I left it behind on this trip.”
She gave a nod, and wondered if the shirt would have protected him against a spell, or whether it was more calibrated to arrows, swords and knives.
“Is it common knowledge our queen gives us a shirt she has personally embroidered?” Theo asked.
Melodie nodded. She could see he looked unhappy about that, but there was nothing to be done about it.
“I cannot offer you a place to sleep,” she said, and realized how upset the thought made her. She could only imagine the reaction from Vinest if she were to bring a Cervantes warrior to the door. “I might not have a place myself, if I make it known I am leaving with you.”
He paused, glancing toward the door that clearly led out of the forge into the house beside it.
She shook her head. “Not there. My father worked here before he died, and I spent a year living here, which is why I knew where to find the key. I live a few streets over now.” She led the way out, and locked up behind them.
“I’ll go over to the Kassia and Cervantes side of the town,” he said. “There’s a barracks there and they’ll give me everything I need.”
That was a relief. She gave a nod. “When do you expect we will leave?”
“Early tomorrow morning.” There was a leashed violence in him, as if he were still straining against the magical cage that had bound him. “I will be rested enough by then.”
That was good. Better than waiting, while Vinest tried whatever it was he would surely try to keep her.
“What’s worrying you?” He slowed as they approached her house, and she realized her steps had shortened and her every move was signaling her reluctance to face Vinest. “What I’m asking you to do is dangerous, but I swear, I will keep you as safe as I can.”
She tilted her head to look up at him. She had gone against many spell workers before, usually hiding what she was doing. She knew it was never safe. “I believe you.”
It was Vinest she worried about. That flare of danger from him that her ring had warned her of.
If anything would set off violence in him, it would be understanding he was losing her.
And she couldn’t even tell the truth about why she had been hired. She would rather not say anything at all.
“Good.” He glanced up at the house as she came to a stop by the front door. “This is it?”
She nodded. “You will have to provide me with a horse. I don’t have one of my own.”
He inclined his head. “That can be arranged. Pack light, but don’t worry about food. I’ll get supplies at the barracks.”
That was good, because Betts would not allow her to take anything from the kitchen. The housekeeper hoarded food as if it were part of the gems and precious metals in Vinest’s safe.
Theo reached out and gently grasped her upper arms. “You saved me, and I cannot say how grateful I am.” He couldn’t stop the sudden shudder that gripped him, and she saw the horror at what had happened to him etched on his face for a moment before he managed to soften his features. “I’m also grateful you’ve agreed to assist me. Thank you.”
He was still holding her, so she lifted her hands and rested them on his biceps, aware of the intimacy of the pose. “I am glad I could help you, and I just today decided to leave my job, so your offer is quite serendipitous.”
Light blossomed from upstairs, spilling out of the parlor window, and she could see from the light that filtered down on them that his features were strained with fatigue.
“Go rest,” she told him, aware that Vinest was most likely looking down at her.
Her lieutenant must have been aware as well, although how, she didn’t know, and he looked up at the window. “You’ll be all right?”
She nodded, aware of the craziness that for the first time since she’d come to live with Vinest, she didn’t actually know if that were true. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“’Til tomorrow.” He turned and walked away, his stride easy and quick, despite the exhaustion that was dragging him down.
He headed toward the bridge, to cross to the Kassia and Cervantes side, and she headed for the door.
To the house she used to think of as home.