Page 28 of The Warrior Priest
A flurry of activity at the temple’s main entrance drew our attention. The high priest strode toward it. The priest who’d just arrived bowed and greeted him. I recognized him as one of the warriors in Merdu’s Guards.
The high priest invited the newcomer in. “What is it, Brother Milo?”
“Master Tomaj sent me,” the priest said. “He wants you to know that the governor’s men are tearing through the slums, demanding the surrender of the deputy’s murderer. They’re threatening violence if no one comes forward with information by this time tomorrow.”
The high priest rubbed his bearded chin. “That is worrying news.”
“Brother Rhys doubts anyone in the slums knows anything. He spoke to the sheriff whose investigation suggests the killer was quick, clever and experienced. He left no trace behind.”
“An assassin?”
Brother Milo swallowed. “Your Eminence, Master Tomaj wants to know if he can send some brothers with the governor’s men tomorrow to keep them in check. He thinks our presence will stop them using violence to get their answers.”
The high priest hesitated then nodded. “Tell Master Tomaj that Brother Rhys and his closest friends in the order should be among the number. They know that area well and will be a calming influence.” The high priest dismissed him.
Once Brother Milo was gone, the high priest turned. He seemed surprised to see me. He must have thought I was out of earshot. “You’re still here, Jac.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt.” I indicated the main entrance through which Brother Milo had just left. To get to it, I would have had to pass them.
“There’s a side door.” The high priest pointed to it. “Next time, use that.”
“I doubt there’ll be a next time, Your Eminence.” That sounded somewhat rude, so I bumbled through an explanation. “You said your questions have been answered.”
“So I did. Brother Rhys was right. Your memory is faultless. Good day, lad.”
“Good day, Your Eminence.”
I exited through the unmanned side door. It seemed the guards on the main entrance weren’t really guards after all, just staff to welcome guests.
Although I was tempted to go past the temple of Merdu’s Guards, I avoided it. I wasn’t sure what to say to Rhys.
Later that day, I changed my mind. The sooner we moved past the first awkward encounter after that kiss the better. It had to be done if our friendship was to continue.
I wasn’t at all surprised to see the candle burning in the window of Rhys’s secret room. We always thought alike. Just as I suspected, our meetingwasawkward.
“We need to talk,” he announced the moment I set foot in the room. “Last night shouldn’t have happened. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But you just said you did want to talk. Is there something else on your mind?”
“Right. I mean no, there isn’t.” He started to pace the room, arms crossed over his chest. “I meant we can’t do that again. Not if we want to stay friends.” He suddenly stopped. His gaze locked with mine. “I really want to stay friends, Jac.”
“So do I.”
“Good. Then we’re in agreement. It can’t happen again, and we won’t discuss it anymore.”
I should have agreed, but I wasn’t ready to dismiss our kiss so easily and with such finality. “And if we can’t go back to the way we were?”
He stared at me, mouth ajar, as if he couldn’t believe I hadn’t agreed in a heartbeat. “We have to.” He dragged his hand through his hair. “We have to, Jac. Your friendship means…a lot to me.”
It took all my willpower not to throw my arms around him and tell him all would be well. I may not be able to touch him ever again for fear of succumbing to my baser instincts, but I could try to reassure him with words. “Your friendship means a lot to me too, Rhys. I agree. Last night won’t happen again.”
He blew out a breath and sat. His body may have finally been still, but his fingers continued to drum on his thigh. He hadn’t lit the fire, which probably meant he didn’t intend to stay long. Sitting down would imply he’d changed his mind. “The governor sent his men into the slums to hunt down his deputy’s killer.”
“I know. I went to the high temple to hand in my report about Giselle, and a warrior priest arrived.”
“Brother Milo,” he said, nodding.
I crouched by the fireplace but was unsure whether to start a fire or not. How long would he stay? How long would I? Studying him was no help. All it did was fray my nerves even more as his fingers continued to beat an erratic rhythm on his thigh.
