Page 20 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

"Understood," I said. Tearloch was not to be teased.

Sweetie, on the other hand, chuckled as he went off in the same direction Tearloch had taken.

A line of straggly trees struggled to thrive between the road and a meager stream. It was impossible to tell which of the three originated first, but I suspected it was the stream. There was no other reason for the road to take a similar path, though it diverted a few times for the easiest route up a hill, always returning to the water’s path. Out of necessity, animals had to come near the road for a drink, so I wasn't surprised when the brothers quickly came up with a pair of briartails, so we could have a quick supper of fresh meat. The hides were saved for bartering.

With signs of the city on the horizon, I was too excited to eat much and picked at the portion I’d been given.

“What is the matter with her?” I heard Tearloch’s voice from the edge of the clearing, but I didn’t look up.

Sweetie answered quietly. “Perhaps she worries about being alone in the city.”

“You would rather we lead her to Huxor?”

I rolled my eyes and looked away, over my shoulder. The brothers were playing with rocks, juggling them. The game devolved and they ended with chucking the rocks at each other. Even when Bain was caught in the head and yelped, he wasn’t angry.

“The sibling relationship has always amazed me,” I said. I’d seen the same give-and-take between Viggo and his brothers, on the rare occasion that I’d been able to spy on them.

Bain chuckled. “Because we forgive offenses?”

“No. Because you seem to enjoy offending each other. I assume the same was true with your other brother.”

The discussion on the other side of the fire, between Sweetie and Minkin, ended abruptly. They gaped at me. Tearloch stared, not at me, but at the brothers. I grimaced and dipped my head to the pair. "I'm sorry. I have no right to mention him."

Both brothers shrugged off my apology. “No harm done,” Bain said. “I like to talk about the Huxor we have always known. And yes, he teased with us…until he became the head of the family, and he sobered a great deal.”

“None of it matters now,” Dower muttered, “now that death has come on blue wings. We’ll likely never find him. But it would be nice…” He looked me in the eye. “We have things we’d like to say?—"

“What he’s trying to tell you,” Tearloch interrupted, “is that we are family, the six of us. And if we’re going to die, we want to do it together. You might ask what will Sweetie’s horns matter when we might only have days? And I would counter, if you knew death was imminent, wouldn’t you wish to face it as your true self?

“We say we want to change Huxor back, to free him from the sorcerer’s taint, but that might not be possible. Still, it doesn’t matter either, so much as…the family being whole again. Facing our fate will be easier if we’re whole.”

They all nodded in agreement. Dower looked up at the sky—maybe judging the time of day, but more likely, looking for something winged and blue. The others followed suit. All except Tearloch, who stared at me. Not so harshly this time, which made my stomach feel funny. I kept telling myself I wasn't interested in his kindness. I wasn't interested in a soft look from the man. But damned if I didn't like it.

And despite that look, his message was clear.The six of us are family. And that didn’t include me.

10

HEARTBOUND

One thing Demius taught me was to seek solutions, find answers for myself. When I first saw Tearloch's gloves, my first instinct was to mind my own business. My second was to work out his motive for myself. But thus far, I’d failed to find a reasonable explanation. When I’d seen him rinse his hands, for instance, I’d noticed no damage he might wish to hide from prying eyes.

So, as we made our way toward the gates of Sunbasin, I couldn't resist asking Minkin about them. After all, we were about to part company, and if I didn't ask now, I wouldn’t get another chance.

She looked up at me as I moved closer. I smiled. Her eyes narrowed immediately, and I laughed. "Not asking about your missing friend.”

“Then ask anything.”

“I was wondering why Tearloch wears those gloves. For protection? For vanity? I didn’t notice any scars. And the only reason I am left with is that he has some magical power from which he protects the rest of us. I am out of ideas."

"Is it so important that you know?"

"No. It’s not my business. I was just...curious."

"Yes. I see that. Curious about everyone. You watch us all too closely. Perhaps it is best that you’ll be striking out on your own. Just be careful your curiosity doesn't get you killed...prematurely."

"I understand."

After an awkward silence, she spoke again. "In all your reading, did you learn about theheartbound?”

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