Page 80 of Faeling
“And yet we have,” Vallek sneered, his mood matching the foul weather.
His berserkers wouldn’t have spoken a word either way, accustomed to the harsh realities of serving their king, but Vallek didn’t think he mistook the glints of relief in their eyes when he announced, “Enough for today. Make camp! Let’s get out of the weather.”
A hum of activity began as word was passed back and the column began looking for the least water-logged patches of rock. Hunters and woodsmen broke off from the column to begin gathering game and timber, and more than a few berserkers stretched out their arms and backs.
With the growing commotion, no one but Vallek heard Ulrich growl, “Weak from the rain, are you? Or is it her that makes you weak?”
An answering growl grew in Vallek’s chest. “I’ve warned you, Ulrich.”
His second snorted. “You’ve never called for camp so early before. We could make another five leagues before dark. If it weren’t for her.”
Surging forward, Vallek put his face in Ulrich’s, making their tusksclacktogether. “Everyone’s tired of the rain, and I’m tiredof you. Besilent.”
Ulrich’s face somehow soured even more, and Vallek turned away so he didn’t have to see it. His old friend had been nigh insufferable since the Stone-Skin camp. Rather than heed his warning, Ulrich found every opportunity to malign Ravenna or question Vallek about her. No one else would have dared such insubordination, and Vallek had long since begun wondering why he bore it.
It was as if Ulrich sensed that when they returned to Balmirra, everything would change. Vallek couldn’t quite say how yet, but he knew at least that after consulting with Eydis, plans would be put in motion to introduce Ravenna to the court. Wearing her own face. Ulrich, canny as he could be, no doubt sensed this and rallied for one more campaign.
It would be his last.
Although Ulrich had served him ably, Vallek couldn’t have someone so opposed to his mate so close. When they returned to Balmirra, he would inform Ulrich of his dismissal. Vallek only delayed now out of an abundance of caution. Perhaps before, he might not have suspected his oldest friend capable of anything against him, but the sheer hatred in Ulrich’s gaze whenever he looked upon Ravenna meant that Vallek wouldn’t risk inciting him against her more. Not until he could sequester her away somewhere completely safe.
He was conferring with one of his seneschals about the placement of his tent, Ulrich hovering nearby like a gloomy shadow, by the time Mattias came jogging up the length of the column, a glamoured Ravenna in his arms.
Wisely, he put her down to walk the last distance between them.
The bite of Vallek’s unease softened just a little at the sight ofher.
Only to snap down hard again when he saw how she limped. Hurrying to her, he held out his arms, taking her slight weight. He drew her into the safety of his body, not caring that his people watched on, pretending they didn’t but certainly interested.
“Wandering off again,skala?” he chided gently.
“Twitch went lame this morning, and I didn’t want to burden another onager since it was raining,” she explained. Using her grip on his arm for balance, she lifted one foot to begin pulling it out of her boot. “I didn’t getthatfar behind. Mattias could see me the whole time.”
Over her head, his gaze flicked up to confirm it with his captain. Mattias nodded solemnly.
A little noise of pain drew his attention back to her, and he saw how red and raw her heels were, a bright blister oozing midway up.
Vallek groaned. “You promised me you were all right to walk.”
“I am,” she insisted. “Hold this.” Pulling a little pot from her cloak pocket, she handed it to him then twisted off the lid. Gathering a dollop of salve, she applied it liberally to her abused heel. “There,” she said through her wince, “I should be fine until we make camp.”
“I’ve already called for it. We make camp here.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Thank fates.” Blowing out a breath, she grinned cheekily up at him. “I’m ready to see the end of today.”
He couldn’t help the plaintive note in the low purr rumbling in his chest. “I won’t allow you to hurt yourself further.”
“I have to walk, Vallek,” she reminded him quietly.
“No. I will carry you until your feet heal.”
Her lips twitched with wanting to grin, but she bit it back, shaking her head. “You can’t do that. You know how it will look.”
“I don’t care.” Sinking to one knee before her, he lifted her hand from his forearm to his shoulder then her bare foot from the ground to his bent knee.
Ravenna’s eyes went round as she watched him dab more of the salve onto her foot. Nails digging into the leather on his shoulder, she whispered urgently, “They’re watching.”
“Let them,” he replied, keeping her gaze as he checked the rest of her foot and ankle to assure himself she wasn’t injured any worse.
