Page 12 of Untempered
Interesting, thatweknew about them both the moment we set foot on his land, buthedidn’t know what was happening under his own nose?
Interesting, that she almost cut my throat?
So interesting.
I swirled the beer I wasn’t drinking around the mug I didn’t recall picking up. It was warm and golden. Her eyes had been, too, but more enticing by far than this swill.
I knew better than to touch liquor. I didn’t have the head for it. Or the temperament. It drove men in my family to selfish, violent things. And damned if I was joining their ranks.
She’d been quick and sure with that knife, and fought on the ground like a Matri’sion.
She wasn’t just nobility, she was the Duke’s only child and heir.
I finally set aside the beer. That was exactly the reason Luca was marrying her. Take La’Angi, take the east, take Arcanloc’s military.
Take everything.
Taking La’Angi was nigh impossible, of course, short of unlocking some sort of forgotten old magic to enable you to sell your eternal soul to some sort of ancient devil. Or a freak accident. Or marrying the heir.
She was the Butcher’sdaughter.
I’d always voted for the ancient devil, myself.
Kadan fell down beside me with a long sigh that spoke to my soul. “Wild horses,” he groaned, and I realized we were finally alone. Before he could say anything else, a knock at the door drove me to my feet, and I scooped up my sword belt.
He didn’t protest my habitual protection of him for once. He just kicked his boots off and stretched out his toes toward the flames, letting his head fall back. “Pretty sure I’m asleep,” he told me. “Unless you think she’s worth it.”
I couldn’t help but smile. I loved the man’s humor—and his optimism. Opening the door, I found someone I was relatively confident Kadan didn’t want in his bed. “Hi, Luca.” Out of habit, I propped my shoulder against the door, using my body as a shield.
I wasn’t officially his guard. No one paid me to protect his scrawny ass.
I just did it for kicks.
Luca gave me a nod of acknowledgment as if I’d just bowed to him. “Evening, Chay. Is Kadan still up?” he asked me, his eyes already skittering over my shoulder, though he kept his voice down.
“I’m pretty sure he’s asleep,” I told Luca, straight-faced.
“No, I’m not,” Kadan said from behind me. “I was just resting a moment. Come in!” And I stepped back to see Kadan reach out with one bare foot and give a chair a nudge of invitation. “Saw you rubbing elbows with the Duke earlier. Didn’t want to—” he arched his brows “—interrupt.”
Luca, of course, hastened to tell Kadan that no one thought he was an annoyance. When, of course, the Butcher damned well did.
At that point I probably should have excused myself, because I knew well what these two were up to, and someone had to make sure they weren’t overheard.
Did Luca know who he was marrying in a few weeks?
Did he appreciate her?
I scowled into the fire.
“I was grateful your father arrived when he did,” Luca said, his sigh big and gusty. “Did you and Audrey put aside your differences? She didn’t say much to me, but she’s had a very long day and has a delicate disposition.”
The memory of the knife against my throat and the strength in those hands sat ill against Luca’s words.
“She did seem shaken,” Kadan agreed, and once more the man’s ability to bullshit amazed me. I’d seen him do it many a time, but the sincerity in those big blue eyes of his while he lied through his teeth always blew me away. “She mentioned a riding accident. We talked about horses. I think we’re okay.”
It was the floppy hair and the crooked grin. No one could imagine someone with such sweet, unassuming charm could be so devious. Even if his birthhadbeen foretold.
“Well, that’s good, then.” Luca cleared his throat and settled in the chair I’d just vacated. “I was hoping you’d be awake still,” he said, glancing politely at me as if I, too, were someone he wanted to see. If only it hadn’t been so wooden, it would’ve seemed earnest. I wasn’t offended, since the feeling was mutual. I just settled back into my new chair. “Audrey mentioned some changes to the scheduled festivities.” He sent Kadan a loaded look. “Victor—the Duke—” he corrected swiftly “—changed the entertainment, and the large feast on the fourth day has been brought forward, with only informal meals being offered the following day.” He was looking at Kadan as if this was critically important, but I recalled Kadan mentioning this possibility weeks ago. “Many anticipate leaving the morning after the melee.”
