Page 126 of Unrivaled
I didn’t comment on how slow Kadan’s pace was, but the thought popped into my mind.I couldn’t ask how it had all happened.Not now.Not the first thing I said to the man, aside from the letter I’d sent moons and moons ago.
“She’s Audrey’s favorite steward,” I told him, absently.“And Thomas’ eldest.”
“Who’s Thomas?”he asked.
“The—” I shook my head.“Audrey’s other guard.What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean what am I doing?Iwas invited.”He gave me a bit of a shove, or tried to.“What areyoudoing here?”
I had no answer to that.
Inside, I set down his bags, and Kadan fell down into a chair.Callum set to work rummaging through his things and came out with a leather-wrapped bundle.I stood by awkwardly as Kadan lifted the clockwork leg, clearly made for comfortable riding.Callum detached it, set it aside, and slid the one he’d withdrawn from Kadan’s pack into place.
“This one’ll almost let me keep up with that young steward,” Kadan told me, like it was a joke.“In a pinch, I’d even outstrip her, mayhap.Do you like it?”He turned it so I could see.“I think the copper highlights are dashing.”
“He moves faster with a pretty woman in front,” Callum told me, with a wink and a grin.
I didn’t know what to say.
“Sit down, Chay,” Kadan said, with a sigh.“You’re making me feel short, and I’m far too rich to be made to feel short.You heard the girl—the lady’s gifted you to me for the afternoon.”He made a show of glancing at the sky.“I must say, if I’d known the time would be so brief, I’d’ve asked Bravura to move a little faster, and damn the traffic.”
“No point having the meanest warhorse around if you don’t let him bite the occasional uppity merchant,” Callum agreed sagely.
“This is whatI’msaying,” Kadan declared, slapping the arm of the chair.“Tell me, Chay.Tell me everything.”
“I don’t know where to start,” I admitted, shaking my head to dislodge some of the wool that had settled between my ears.“I think I’m still in shock.I thought…”
“What, she didn’t tell you I was coming?”he asked, in what I recognized as genuine surprise, none of this concocted levity.“Here was me thinking I was worth at least apassingmention.”
“I…I’m not in her inner circle,” I told him.
“That wasn’t the feelingIgot from her letters,” he said, frowning.
My heart squeezed.I recalled the first letter.There must’ve been more.
After.
“What’s happening with you?”I asked, because I couldn’t gather my thoughts.I needed…time.“Luca’s here—openly.He’s visited plenty, but never openly.”
Kadan nodded, glancing toward Callum, who flipped the lock on the door.
That had been my role, once.I’d protected this man’s secrets.I’d done it alongside Callum.There was no new third man, no Stand-In Chay.I didn’t know if that was a good thing.
“I know you’re loyal to her above everyone, and I’d never put you in a place where you’d need to choose.”
I closed my eyes.“Don’t say that, Dan.That means there’s a choice I should be making.”
“No.No, there’s no choice.”He blew out a breath.“Sorry.The elixir they’ve got me on for pain isn’t—it leaves me all foggy-headed.I didn’t think I’d be seeing anyone this afternoon.I’m sorry, Chay.”
I shook my head, studying him, the fine lines bracketing his mouth, his eyes.“Is it bad?”
“Bad enough I’ll accept not thinking clearly sometimes,” he said, falling back.“To get some relief.Pa’s hunting down more advanced healers.Some are better than others with the healing tonics.”
“I’d’ve thought it’d be a common request,” I offered.
“Oh, it is.”Kadan’s smile was quick, small, and cynical.It wasn’t a look I’d seen on him.“Most people who can afford magical healing get itfast.They don’t mind being foggy in the immediate aftermath.Then, for the older folks, or the people born with chronic conditions?No one cares if they aren’t all here, Chay.The research into pain relief is horrendously limited.The Academy’s top minds just…don’t care.There’s no coin in it.”
“Now there is,” offered Callum, setting a glass in front of Kadan.
