Page 132 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
“Truly?” I asked, disbelieving. He didn’t exactly know me. I trusted Goose enough for him to lead me inside the intimidating building and be the only one who knew I was in there. I’d seen the worry in his face when he’d patched up my leg day after day, and the way he made sure I ate, but I hadn’t done anything to earn his trust. “Why?”
“Because you’re kind,” he said simply.
“A lot of people are.”
He huffed a sad laugh. “In a Clan that values strength above all else, a boy who prefers books to the sparring range doesn’t receive much kindness.”
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. That explained the jitteriness from before and it made me want to hug those awful memories out of Goose.
“Why?” He frowned. “You’re not responsible for it.”
Empathy also seemed to be lacking in this Clan. Though I’d heard how Silas kept ignoring Allie’s requests for information about the state of the Protectorate, so perhaps it was a general Clan problem.
Goose slowed his steps as we neared the road. “They’re doing it.”
With aplomb, too. Six guards had been cutting a menacing line in the front of the library, right underneath its massive, branching glass arch. They broke up in perfect synchronization.
Five of them turned on their heels at the same time, thumping their spears against the ground as they stepped away, rounding the corner. Only one remained, left in the searing sun.
“I know him,” I whispered from the corner of my mouth.
He was the guard who’d actually looked at me with something other than cold detachment. Who had been missing from my fence for weeks.
“That’s Owyn.” Goose walked so fast, his long legs looked like they would snap away from the rest of his body. I struggled tokeep up. He would have been a great runner. “I saw him sneer at Banu’s back, and I heard the advisors ignored his requests for medicine for his daughter. We might be able to trust him.”
“Might?” Also, someone was getting a mysterious delivery of medicine first thing next morning–if I survived today. Goose had made it perfectly clear that while he adored the knowledge the Archives provided, it was a very dangerous place.
As we breached the safety of the greenery and crossed the deserted street, Owyn narrowed his eyes on me. Not Goose. Me. He tightened his hold on the spear.
“Your Grace.” He didn’t bow.
“We’re here to take a peek at a history book Her Grace needs for the wedding,” Goose interjected quickly; there was a soft sheen of sweat on his brows. We didn’t have much time until the next shift of guards came.
“The Archives are closed for the day,” Owyn said.
“Her Grace didn’t want to disturb the students’ studies.”
Owyn hummed. “Do youbothhave special clearance?”
Goose gulped.
I took a step forward. “I need more information about my future role. I understand you have countless books about past Blood Brotherhood leaders and traditions.”
His lips twisted with disapproval. “Be that as it may–”
If I didn’t do something fast, we wouldn't be getting in. I knew it, Owyn knew it, and Goose was about to find out.
“Why did you leave the group of guards entrusted with protecting me?” I asked.
Owyn’s frown deepened. “I was ordered to.”
My mind raced with possibilities, all of them ugly. “Why?”
“The advisors, in their infinite wisdom–” He spit the words out. “–decided I wasn’t doing my duty properly.”
“You were guarding me just fine.”
Owyn’s eyes narrowed. “I had many duties, Your Grace.”
