Page 76 of Sharpen Your Claws

Charmaine shivered. “I hate Faerie.”

“We’ll try not to be here too long.” William got onto his feet and scowled at the rip in his jacket. The rip tore through his shirt too, revealing a slim line of silver. “The sooner we end this, the better.”

“What happens afterward?” Nicholas reached for William’s hand, letting the tips of their fingers brush, then grasped William’s wrist. The pulse beneath raced against his fingertips, making his own mirror the beat. “After they are dealt with and I’m free from Evera?”

“Is now really the time for that conversation?” William squeezed his hand, then let go to head toward the others, leaving Nicholas pouting on the ground.

He told himself to be happy. William thought of getting him out of the deal. When they succeeded, and he would make sure they did, he would be free. Free to be with William always.

25

William

Williamhadn’twantedtosee Laurent again. He didn’t want to think of waking in the hospital to discover his arm taken, replaced by what didn’t belong to him, by what he hadn’t asked for. His fingers flexed. The arm was as much a part of him as anything else. He wished he would come to terms with it, that he would cease mourning the loss of his limb and the loss of his choice.

You’re lucky,he told himself, and tasted the same bile as always.

He wiped the sweat from his brow. Behind them, Hill Castle disappeared, leaving Laurent and his troubles. For the time being. Nicholas had shown what he was capable of, what Laurent feared and wanted to control. William hadn’t meant to stand up to the bastard, but he couldn’t sit there and watch Nicholas be toyed with. Laurent treated him terribly, and William hated him all the more for it. He got what he deserved and would, hopefully, understand the consequences should he bother them again.

Next time, he wouldn’t stop Nicholas from killing the bastard. That time, they needed to question him, to ensure Nicholas’ deal was broken, and though Laurent said Darkmoon wouldn’t help, he didn’t doubt that the lord would get involved if Fearworn were not only alive but also ready to start trouble for all of Faerie. Laurent was useful as much as he was awful.

Ahead, Evera led the way. She had a tension to her, an irritation that she rarely showed. Charmaine wandered at her back, having become much better thanks to their distance and rest. Arden sang in a foreign tongue, the language of fae, he guessed. His voice had a high lilt, nothing like they expected, ethereal and haunting in the most beautiful way. Henry traveled at the center, his favorite notebook clutched between his fingers. From time to time, he peered over his shoulder. William pretended not to notice.

“Avoiding your brother won’t solve anything,” Nicholas said. The wounds upon his knuckles healed. Still, William took his hand to inspect.

“There is nothing to solve,” he argued, checking Nicholas for any abnormalities. Of course, he found nothing.

“You remain upset that he fought those red caps.”

He crossed his arms. “Now isn’t a good time to talk.”

“Now is the best time, seeing as we may not survive this endeavor.”

William gave him a curious glance. “What were you talking to him about in the hallway before?”

Nicholas hesitated, which meant he was trying to wiggle his way out of telling the truth.

“Did it have to do with me?” he asked.

“He’s worried and asked for my advice on how to speak with you.” Nicholas scoffed. “Don’t make such a face of disbelief.”

“Not so much disbelief as surprise,” he countered while watching Henry’s back. “I didn’t think he was so worried that he’d ask for anyone’s advice.”

“Well, since you know now, you shouldn’t avoid it any longer.”

Nicholas walked ahead, settling a hand on Henry’s arm that told him to linger. While Nicholas walked beside Arden, Henry lagged, as did William until they walked side by side, far enough away from the others to feel safe but isolated enough to talk.

“We can’t jump into danger like that,” William said. “You should have talked with the rest of us first before agreeing to the red caps’ demands. There could have been a trick involved.”

“Does this rule apply to you as well?” Henry challenged. “Earlier, you stood up to Laurent, who could have easily killed us if Nicholas didn’t blow a fuse.”

His jaw ached from grinding his teeth. “That’s different.”

“Because it was your life on the line, not mine?”

He didn’t answer.

“Need I point out that my life isn’t worth more than yours again?”

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