Page 65 of The Warrior Priest
“You understand it was some time ago, don’t you?”
I nodded. Smiled. Pretended it didn’t matter. “Of course.”
He studied the door handle before opening the door and leaving.
It wasn’t until later that I wished I’d asked him if my uncle’s efforts to destabilize the order were working.
I waiteduntil nightfall to return to the Cat and Mouse to collect my things and see Giselle. I took the longer way, staying on the busier roads as much as possible. I found her surrounded by a group of men listening intently as she told them a story about the time she tricked the sheriff of a small Vytill village into releasing her from prison after she’d been arrested for public drunkenness. She told the story with such enthusiasm that she seemed to light up from within.
When she finished, they laughed and clapped her on the shoulder. Some offered to buy her a drink. She saw me and shooed them off. “I want to speak to my friend alone.”
One man winked at me as he turned away. “Lucky you.” His heated gaze swept my length. “And her.”
I rolled my eyes and sat beside Giselle. “You’re in a good mood. Is your friend better?”
The light in her eyes fizzled out. “No, but I’ve come to terms with her death. Instead of mourning her passing, I’m going to celebrate and honor her life. Join me for a drink, Jac.” She took one of the tankards a man had set before her and handed it to me. She picked up another. “Where have you been?”
“My uncle tried to abduct me.”
She lowered the tankard to the table with a thud. “You escaped, I see.” She blew out a measured breath. “Well done, Jac.”
“Rhys came at the right moment. I wouldn’t have escaped without his help.”
“Where did it happen?”
“Near here. Rhys was coming to speak to me. His timing was fortunate.”
“How did the governor know you were here?”
“His men must have followed me from his office. I was there early this morning in disguise, but his guards must have seen through it.”
She frowned and shook her head. “You would have noticed someone follow you.”
“I don’t have eyes in the back of my head, Giselle.”
She sipped her ale, still frowning. When she finished, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “He probably knows you’re staying here if the attempted abduction happened nearby. We need to move. Tonight.”
“I’llmove. There’s no need for you to leave. Your network is here.” I nodded at the publican, a man Giselle trusted to feed information and clients to her.
She cradled the tankard in both hands. “It may be wise to split up. Where will you go? You can’t return to your old home. Your uncle knows it.”
“Don’t worry about me. I have a place.”
She arched her brows. “You’re not even going to tell me?”
“It’s Rhys’s place. He swore me to secrecy years ago.”
She held up a hand. “Very well. At least I know you’ll be safe with him.”
“He’s not there,” I clarified. “He’ll be at the order’s garrison, as always.”
Giselle watched me over the rim of the tankard as she sipped.
“There is nothing between Rhys and I,” I added.
“I know.” She set the tankard down. “But I heard something today. Something that puts Rhys in a predicament. His lovers are coming forward.”
“They’re notallhis lovers.”
