Page 46 of The Warrior Priest
“You’re the master of the order.”
“I shouldn’t be. I’m not ready.”
I cupped his face and looked him in the eye, still brimming with vulnerability and sorrow. “He chose you to be his second because you are incredible, Rhys. You are strong and capable, and your heart is good.”
“But I’m not ready.”
“No one is ever ready for leadership.”
He closed his eyes. “I don’t want it.”
“The best leaders never do. It’s others who see the potential in them.” I stroked my thumb along his cheek, and he opened his eyes. They were still haunted, his gaze more intense than ever.
“Jac,” he murmured, his voice a purr that whispered across my skin. “I’m sorry.”
I quickly released him and got up.
He stood, too. “Jac?—”
“It’ll be all right, Rhys.”
I entered the tower and raced down the steps, my feet moving so fast it was lucky I didn’t trip. I pushed open the door at the bottom and didn’t bother to relock it behind me.
I thought he might follow—part of me hoped he would—but he did not.
I raced up the street and returned to Minnow’s home where I finally allowed myself to sob, too.
A thunderstorm signaleda dramatic end to summer and the beginning of autumn. As the weather cooled, I remained holed up in Minnow’s spare room during the day, only going out at night. I didn’t mind. The crisp, quiet evenings were perfect for a city stroll. Only Minnow and her partner knew I was there. I made sure my face wasn’t seen by anyone when I went out. With its likeness still nailed to every noticeboard and bollard around Tilting, I’d not dared leave the house without my face covered.
I hadn’t contacted Rhys since that night on the temple’s tower, a week ago, and I’d avoided going anywhere near him.
Giselle returned to Tilting at the end of that week. I saw her speaking to a man in the semi-dark outside the Cat and Mouse. The blunt cut of her hair and the lithe, feline figure were unmistakably her. I waited until her companion left, then I stepped out of the shadows.
She saw me and smiled. Then it suddenly vanished. “Jac, look out!”
I turned and came face to face with the pointed end of a constable’s sword. “You’re under arrest.”
I slowly put my hands in the air. “Why?”
“Governor’s orders.”
“What have I done wrong?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.”
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a broken crate on the ground, a rotting lettuce leaf still inside. If I could subtly maneuver my way over to it, I could use it as a shield.
The moment my feet moved, the constable’s blade bit into the skin at my throat. “If you resist arrest, my orders are to kill you,girl.” His top lip curled with his sneer as his gaze traveled my length. He licked his lips.
I stilled. I didn’t dare move a muscle, or look away.
At the edges of my vision, I spotted Giselle bob low and creep around. Then she leapt out and tackled the constable side-on. They fell to the ground in a tumble of limbs and flash of metal. The breath left the constable in an “oof” as Giselle sat on his chest, her hands pressing down on his wrists so he couldn’t use his sword. He tried to buck her off, but she didn’t budge.
“Run, Jac!” she shouted.
“I can’t leave you.”
The constable tried to buck her off again. She kneed him in the groin, rendering him momentarily immobile. “I can take care of him. Go!”
