32. A Muddy Gray #2
She shrugged as if Cahira’s words didn’t bother her. The stiffness in her shoulders and the distant gaze suggested otherwise.
Fintan looked at Kaiden. He usually had a way of calming Aradia, and Fintan had watched the two grow strangely comfortable around each other.
Comfortable enough to put Kaiden on edge in a way Fintan hadn’t seen in years.
The realization made him warm with smugness.
There wasn’t a bone in his body that doubted Kaiden was putting up walls around himself.
Thick enough so Aradia could not penetrate them.
If there was a single crack within the wall, gods-be-damned, Kaiden might allow himself to truly feel and care for someone who was outside of his inner circle.
The action alone was dangerous and one Fintan could understand.
He glanced at Cahira’s tent. Then again, feelings were dangerous, and they had enough danger coming their way as it was.
He shook himself out of his head. Aradia had been saying something but her words were lost to him.
He simply threw her a small smile as she talked about something to do with Gail.
Rhydar was enthralled with her story, while Kaiden listened silently.
His gaze caused her to trip over her words and glance down more than enough times for Fintan to know it wasn’t because the ground was interesting.
Instead, she focused more of her attention on Rhydar as her story went on.
The great libraries of Gail, the inn she worked at, and a few more stories about her background and the place she had called home.
A dark shadow moved from the side of his view and he glanced up to see Jasper had rejoined them.
The hair on his arm raised at the realization he had not seen, heard, or even smelled the man come up behind him.
While the others were genuinely interested in either Aradia’s story or the woman telling it, Jasper was listening for an entirely different reason.
His job. His life was to protect. Fintan watched Jasper squint and read between the words Aradia spoke, searching for any information he could use against her.
He got to know everyone he disposed of. It was sickening, truly.
Fintan would rather not know a damned thing about the people he killed.
It made it easier and the nightmares wouldn’t plague him as much.
Perhaps that was what Jasper’s shadows were there for.
To keep the nightmares at bay or to keep his conscience hidden while he did unspeakable things within the cover of night.
“And that was the last time I had seen him.” Aradia’s voice broke through his thoughts.
He rejoined the conversation as it ended.
Seen who? He wanted to ask.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine with his family.” Kaiden’s voice dropped to a comforting tone and the warmth had returned. He nudged Aradia’s side with his elbow in playful reassurance.
Fintan’s eyes grew wide. He glanced at Rhydar who returned the look with raised brows. Rhydar then glanced at Jasper who scowled with his arms crossed in front of him.
Aradia’s high cheekbones pushed her hazel eyes practically closed with her tight-lipped smile. “Thank you.”
“We should get some sleep.” Kaiden quickly stood. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Yes,” Rhydar said, brows still raised. “Today has been” — he paused, finding the right words to say — “eventful.” A small smirk bloomed across his face. “Good job, lass. See you in the morrow.”
Aradia stood as well and Fintan joined her with a groan.
“Thank you Rhydar and Fintan for helping me. I have a ways to go but I do appreciate your patience,” she said.
Fintan nodded. “Of course.”
“We’ll get ya there, lass.” Rhydar smiled.
Aradia returned the smile. “I’m sure.”
She looked between them all, even offering a small smile to Jasper, who looked away immediately. Her gaze landed on Kaiden who returned it with equal fervor.
“Goodnight, Prince,” she said.
“Goodnight, Priestess.”
Kaiden’s voice was deep and it drew a smile across Fintan’s face. Fintan looked at the ground, kicking dirt into the fire, nonchalantly putting it out.
Oh, is he in trouble!
He chuckled to himself, although he knew Rhydar and Jasper had the same thoughts running through their heads. They watched Aradia retreat to her tent, quietly sealing the entrance. It took seconds before her candle winked out before all three turned to Kaiden with an expectant look.
Kaiden rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Rhydar and Fintan burst into laughter.
Kaiden grimaced but remained quiet.
“Goodnight, Prince.” Fintan said in a high-pitched voice.
“Goodnight, Priestess.” Rhydar mocked, impersonating Kaiden’s voice which earned another round of laughter.
Even Jasper rubbed his jaw to hide the deadliest of smiles which flashed behind his shadows.
“Alright.” Kaiden rubbed the back of his neck, pushing his way around Rhydar who still held his stomach with laughter. “Enough.” The vein in his neck pulsed, and he grew red.
“Oh, now you’re embarrassed?” Fintan couldn’t help himself. This was too good.
“It’s just been a while,” Jasper added. “Since we’ve seen you so enthralled by a woman.”
“I’m not enthralled.” Kaiden lifted the entrance to his tent. “I’m not anything.”
It was a lie. A bold-faced lie. He watched Kaiden disappear within his tent and held an “are you thinking what I’m thinking” look between Rhydar and Jasper.
“All I’m saying is I’m not the only one you two can torture now. Our Kaiden is smitten.” Fintan chuckled.
“A smitten man is a dangerous man,” Jasper whispered into the darkness growing around them as night descended.
Fintan glanced at Cahira’s tent once more. “I couldn’t agree more.”