Page 70 of Untempered
“Is there anything specifically you’d like to advise on?” she asked him. “That’s a genuine question.”
He touched his fingertips to the black eye that didn’t look too sore. “Whatever you’re planning to help that woman in the dungeons, send her.” He jerked his chin at me.
Another larger mouthful was uncomfortably hot against my tongue. I resisted the urge to sigh. There went my last hope of convincing her to do exactly that.
“Why is that?” Audrey asked, frowning.
“Because she’s Matri’sion,” the knight said, the words inflectionless. “And they won’t see her coming.”
“Her name is Isolde,” Audrey said coolly. “You think stealth is required for a successful entry?”
I cleared my throat. “I’d advise we wait for Thomas’ report,” I jumped in before Chay could dig us any deeper and mention thatof coursethe guards wouldn’t suspect awoman.
I’d seen the grab marks on her arms. I didn’t know if Audrey had, though.
“Do I get a battle axe now?” he asked her. “Or are you content with my sword?”
She made a noise of annoyance. “That talk was bluff.”
It didn’t need to be, though. I thought of the rumblings I’d heard about the Captain disagreeing with Steward Daniel’s decisions. A well-placed arrow and just the tip of a knife at the right time, in the right place?
She couldn’t keep the city, but she could bring it down.
“So I won’t be executing anyone else?” he asked. “Well, that’s even better than asking to not be in charge of killing children. You have my gratitude.”
I watched the way her eyes darkened and the rapid pulse in her neck. Her hands didn’t shake as she set down the cup, but adrenaline coiled in me. “I know you’re mocking me,” she said quietly, “because you’re hurting.”
He snorted, shutting his eyes. “Astute.”
With his eyes closed, he missed the genuine grief in her expression. But I saw it. I saw it, and hurt for her, and hurt for myself because I was beyond feeling bad for every little bump and bruise on an innocent party.
“I swear to you, Chay,” she said, the words heavy, “I’ll never ask you to take a life in my name again.”
“Don’t recall you asked,” he said, the relaxed pose looking forced. “I was ordered.”
Color in her cheeks, she picked up her cup. “Not by me.”
“Your actions dictate mine,my lady.” He stopped feigning nonchalance, sitting up. “You ought to be the safest woman in the whole country, protected by all this wealthanda secret Matri’sion warrior. You could just waltz on out of here any time you liked and live a long,happylife somewhere that bottom-feeder could never find you. And yet, you’ve neededmeto save your skin twice this moon?”
“Don’t think you’re special,” I recommended, my temper spiking but my words remaining cool. “You just happened to be in the right place and holding a sharp object.”
“Whichyouweren’t,” he snarled at me.
“Funny, because I recall I held them off plenty forcefully, considering Ihadno steel.”
“No steel?” he repeated, incredulous. “Are you a Matri’sion or a mouse?”
I drew breath to hit back, but Audrey, to my shock, laughed at him. I turned, stunned, to see her, hand pressed to her mouth trying to hold the mirth in, tears forming in her eyes as she gasped for breath. “I’m sorry,” she managed, standing. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She grabbed me with her spare hand, and I couldn’t help but smile at that overflow of amusement. “By the One, sir,” she said breathlessly, turning away from him, “I don’t know what sort of mice you get in the west, but I doubt you want to see Isolde with steel in her hands.” And without ever looking back, she vanished up the stairs.
He sat in her chair, deflated, staring after her. I couldn’t read his expression, but there was some confusion in there, like he’d expected she’d collapse at his feet.
I didn’t tell him that she’d been trained to take a lot of hits, but wouldn’t stand to see others take them. He’d figure that out, or not. If he came for me a few more times, it wouldn’t be too hard to convince her all her guards were merely burdens.
Still, the small twinge of compassion I felt for the big lump surprised me.
Hehadbeen short-changed. There was no denying it. But she’d never once asked more of him than he’d already been forced to give. He didn’t know that when she said she’d never ask him to take a life, she’d meant it.
And now his uses had yet another limitation.
