Page 87 of Between Despair and Hope

“I think Declan doesn’t have many people to rift his army, or else he’d have attacked at the Cascade after Em—after I was saved. And if the seaborn can help us with the Mahowin Strait, I’d not only be arrogant, but stupid not to ask for it.”

He pulled out the chair to sit beside me, long legs crossing at the ankles beneath the table. Rainier had put some weight back on, but he was still quite a bit leaner than before his time in Folterra. He still looked tired though, as if he wasn’t getting enough rest.

“What am I supposed to offer them?”

“I trust you to use your judgment. See what they want, and if it’s within reason, promise it to them.”

I stared at him for a moment before tossing my head back to laugh. “Father would have set your leg hair on fire for that, at the very least.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” he laughed, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. Our father used his fire to punish in cruel ways, albeit rare. His father, though, our grandfather, had been a monster from what we’d heard. So, we’d been lucky.

“He wouldn’t have trusted anyone to do what you’re asking of me.”

“Get to your point, Ven. He’s dead, and I am not.” He sighed, propping an elbow up on the arm of his chair, rubbing his forehead.

“I don’t have a point. Thank you for trusting me,” I said.

“Don’t go thanking me yet.”

“Why not?”

“I only have one captain to spare at the moment.”

“No,” I snapped.

“Ven, she—”

“Please, don’t say—”

“Dewalt is occupied, and Raj is busy taking over Ashmont’s duties.” He shook his head, mind already made up. “I don’t trust anyone else to escort you.”

“Rhia’s tears, Rainier. Please, I’m begging.”

“It’s been—what? A year, now?”

“Yes, but—”

“I’m sure she’s over it. You’ve moved on too. You’ll have Mairin. Brenna won’t bother you while you’re with the merrow.”

“I’m notwith the merrow. It’s complicated.”

“Oh?”

Gods, I hated that tone. I didn’t want to talk about how she’d been avoiding me and how badly my feelings were hurt by it. “I’m notwiththe merrow, just like youarewith Emmeline,“ I gritted out. “Complicated.”

“Fair point.” His tone was crisp, but I didn’t miss the sad dip of his shoulders.

“Are you still sleeping in my room?”

”Isaid, fair point.”

“I don’t see why you’re staying away from her.”

“I don’t see why you’re continuing this line of conversation when I clearly don’t want to talk about it,” he retorted.

“Maybe that’s the problem, brother. Maybe you need to talk about it.”

“Not to you, I don’t.”

---