Page 62 of Honour Bound
‘Is that a threat?’ he demanded. ‘Are you threatening me, Uh Integrity? Because grammatically it doesn’t even make sense. Just because you wish you were as magnificent as me.’ He sniffed loudly. ‘You were right, Taylor. It didn’t take long for some people to become jealous.’
I ignored him and looked at the others. ‘Come on. Time to vamoose.’
*
The audience were leaving the auditorium. I noticed more than one Sidhe with mascara streaks running down their cheeks – men as well as women. Several people congratulated me but I merely inclined my head in brief acknowledgment and kept moving. Lexie, Speck, Brochan and Taylor formed a helpful cordon to ward off the more enthusiastic well-wishers as we squeezed our way through and escaped into the cold air.
We weren’t the only people outside. Taylor jerked his chin towards a copse of trees where I spotted Aifric remonstrating with one of the judges. He hadn’t seen us, which was probably just as well. I wasn’t sure I could cope with his saccharine-sweet falseness right now.
‘Integrity!’ I turned to see Byron. He caught up, his eyes raking over me. ‘That was some performance.’
I dipped into a curtsey. ‘Thank you.’
‘Was it you or the harp?’
I shrugged. ‘Does it matter?’
‘I suppose not.’ He tilted his head. ‘You were very good,’ he said quietly.
I tried not to notice the others slipping away to give us some space and gave an awkward shrug. ‘It was just one challenge,’ I reminded him. ‘There are still two more to go.’
‘True. But now you’re in pole position.’
‘Go me.’
A small smile tugged at his mouth. ‘Indeed. Go you.’ He took a step towards me and his voiced dropped. ‘What are you playing at?’
I stepped back. ‘What do you mean?’
‘There’s more going on here than meets the eye. What was that business with the ring and Jamie? He said you found it in the Lowlands, which is frankly ridiculous. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to go there?’
Taken aback by the sudden turn in the conversation, I glared. ‘Do you? Have you ever passed through the Veil?’
‘Of course not! I’m not reckless like you.’
‘You mean you’re boring,’ I shot back.
‘Boring?’
This time I stood my ground. ‘It appears so.’
‘I’ll show you how boring I am,’ he muttered under his breath. He leaned towards me. Before anything could happen, however, there was a loud curse from Aifric. We both turned to watch him stomp back towards the auditorium.
I licked my lips. ‘What do you think that was all about, Byron? Why would your father be so angry at the judges?’
The crackle in the air between us changed to something else entirely. ‘Are you trying to insinuate something?’
‘I’m just saying that it’s a bit strange that he’s so worked up.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘My father has been nothing but generous towards you. He didn’t have to be like that, considering all the trouble you’ve caused.’
‘All the troubleI’vecaused?’
‘He’s on your side, Integrity. Just like me.’
I hoped that Byron wasn’t like his father at all. I shook my head. I could stand here and argue till I was blue in the face but Byron wasn’t going to listen to a word against his dear daddy. I sighed. ‘I have to go.’
He reached for me but I whirled away and ran after the others. I didn’t look back.
