Page 36 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“I heard you, Rain. I heard your heart, so I started screaming. I’m surprised you heard me.”

“No, that’s the thing Em. I—I didn’t hear you screaming. I know this sounds crazy, and I know it’s impossible, but I’ve re-lived it for years—awakeandin my dreams. I could hear your heartbeat. I followed it to find you.”

“That’s impossible,” I whispered.

“I know it is. But I found you, didn’t I?”

I nodded. He did. And now, I’d found him.

Chapter 13

Iwassore.Mythighs ached, and the base of my spine was killing me. I’d been on horseback more the last few days than I had been the last few months, and I was paying for it now. The others discussed who would stand watch first, and I offered to take a shift as well, so everyone could get a little more sleep. My offer was met with a resounding no.

“No offense, Emma. You’re out of practice. I want to see you with a sword before I trust you to guard us with one.” Dewalt smirked. I rolled my eyes, not about to admit I hadn’t touched my sword in two months. Nonetheless, I was prepared to argue the point.

“You’re the one who wouldn’t let me use a sword back in Mira. Spar with me when we get to Brambleton, I’m not that rusty.” My pride was wounded. I’d been better than Lavenia and almost as good as Dewalt and Rainier. Granted, I hadn’t spent the last half of my life in skirmishes as the three of them had. I hadn’t had to defend myself either, but I thought I was more than capable of standing watch over my friends.

My friends.

“I’ll spar with you. I deserve a rematch.” A hint of a smile played on Rainier’s lips as he peered up at me from under lowered brows. I was shocked he even brought it up, and it showed, based on his expanding grin. The crooked smile he’d always had was disarming, but when he gave me his full smile, it felt like the sun coming out from behind a cloud, shining only for me. He had always laughed easily, his personality engaging and welcoming, and it had always been one of my favorite parts about him. He chuckled. “I held back then, but this time?” He shook his head. “Not so easy.”

His admission confirmed what I suspected all those years ago—he had held back, but why? Because he knew he couldn’t give me what I wanted? Because he knew I needed the distance from him? Because once I requested it, he knew there was no going back? I was surprised he was able to joke about the last time our swords had crossed, let alone offer to spar with me. But if he was willing to joke about it, I’d follow his lead. “From what Lavenia said earlier about how lazy you’ve gotten, are you sure you want to?” Rainier’s eyes lit up, accepting the challenge.

“To surrender this time, not first blood.” He had always been better at tiring out his opponent. First blood meant dancing around one another until you could get the hit in. To surrender was a different beast. Even if he had been trying all those years ago, it was still probable I would have made first contact. He was more patient. He could take the hits and then wait for who he was facing to drag and slow. I could be patient to an extent, waiting for the right opening, but once I made the first mark, it was a struggle to pace myself. It was a weakness of mine he was more than familiar with.

“No divinity?” I asked. Maybe he’d grown as much out of practice as I had.

“Of course not, it wouldn’t be fair.” His eyes glinted with delight. “Although, if you’d patch me up when you’re through with me, I’d be much obliged.” I rolled my eyes.

“As if you think I’ll even get a hit in. Terms?” I knew better than to answer a challenge from Rainier without discussing terms. He chuckled and examined the ground as he thought.

“You win, you get what you want. You get to stand watch. If I win, you come to court with us after we find Elora. Try it out for a year.” His gaze met mine, smile no longer reaching his eyes. He seemed nervous. Though they’d broken off for their own conversation a while ago, Dewalt and Lavenia turned to pay attention once more, her brows raised and his lips firmly tipped up in a smirk.

Go to court. For a year.

“Well, that doesn’t seem very fair. First of all, does the time before we get Elora back count toward the year? Secondly, all I get is to stand watch?” I crossed my arms. “No way.”

“Sure, your time can start now. As for your prize, is there anything else you’d want instead?” His expression was sincere. What did I want? What was commensurate with spending a year at court? I didn’t need anything. After all of this was done, we’d go back to Ravemont as long as Father would have us, and Elora and I would want for nothing. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted other than the obvious. For Elora to be here. For Faxon to not have betrayed us. For Lucia to be alive. But Rainier couldn’t change the past, and he was doing his best to help me get my daughter back. I contemplated for only a moment when a small voice in the back of my head whispered.

Revenge.

“If I win, you’ll let me be the one to give the killing blow to the King of Bones if it ever comes to that.” I heard Lavenia’s sharp intake of breath. Rainier’s face hardened, the grin gone.

“We don’t even know how to kill him, Em.” He rubbed a hand up the back of his neck in what I thought was exasperation.

“I imagine he bleeds like the rest of us; I just have to get close enough.” His eyes were hard as flint as he took me in. “You have to let me try. He killed my sister and took my daughter.”

“Two years at court.” His eyes were on mine, glowing in the light of the fire. I stood, staring into the flames as I contemplated.

“Fine.”

I walked over to him, grasping his hand in mine, attempting to ignore the warmth spreading within me at his touch. We shook on it, his eyes still on mine.

“Then it’s a deal.”

Rainiertookthefirstwatch. Dewalt wasn’t ready to sleep, mentioning he needed to talk to the prince about something important, something private. Leaving the two of them at the fire, I crawled into my tent. Rainier and Lavenia had acquired bedrolls for everyone, and I’d already tossed my pack in after the tent was set up. I pulled my sweaty shirt off and swapped it for a fresh one, and I was grateful I’d be able to take a bath when we stopped at the house, feeling disgusting after only a few days.

“Emma? Come keep me company.” Lavenia called from her tent. “I’m cold, and Dewalt won’t come to bed.”

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