Page 36 of Given to the Fae
I almost grin at his predictable resistance to me making a bargain without him.
‘They know me. They won’t deal with you, nor any of the others.’
‘Fine,’ I say, putting my hands up. ‘Then I’ll take her, a couple of the men, and we’ll meet you in Merediea in two weeks.’
Bere considers, his eyes surveying the females, watching as they’re given their healing potions. When Silve approaches Morgan, however, the giant snarls at him and snatches the vial, not letting him near the unconscious slave in his arms. The possessive display, unheard of for my friend, has me very glad that we’ll be spending two weeks away from Bere. I’ll be able to use the time to get Morgan back in the right frame of mind, and his head back on the mission.
‘Very well,’ he says finally. ‘Who will you take?’
I say nothing, simply making a show of eyeing each of the men. ‘Morgan, as he’s such a good nursemaid.’
I chuckle at the guffaws I hear that tell me just how many of the men are eavesdropping. ‘And...’ I look around again,pretending I haven’t already decided. ‘Jak. He’s new. I’d like to get to know him better.’
‘Fine, but take Warrior, too.’
I glance at the black-haired fae with the thin face, sitting in the corner polishing his small, jeweled knives. He’s tall and lean and quick to pull one of said knifes. He scratches his stubbled jaw with the tip of one of the blades absently, pretending he isn’t listening, but he is.
I consider him the cruelest of the group by far and I have no doubt he’d be worse if money didn’t hang in the balance. That’s the only reason none of the slaves have died by his hand while I’ve been part of Bere’s men.
‘Why not Kings?’ I mutter.
‘I need Kings. He’s best at releasing the females and his manner keeps them in line.’
I shrug. ‘Fine. Jak, Morgan and Warrior, then. We’ll leave tomorrow and travel one Circle at a time, taking extra rest days if the female needs them.’
Bere nods. ‘She’s awake. Release her now and then feed them.’
Morgan’s eyes find mine and, before I can rethink, I saunter to him where he still holds her. His grip on her tightens.
‘If it must be done, I will do it,’ he hisses.
I resist the urge to strike him, but he must see my fury. He draws too much attention.
‘No,’ I say calmly in a tone that brooks no opposition, and I hope tells him how precarious his place is because of this female he seems to dote on. ‘Iwill do it.’
CHAPTER 5
BRYN
Morgan’s grip loosens and my feet are placed on the ground. The healing vial is given to me, and I swallow it down, feeling my lip begin to knit together almost immediately and my headache start to clear.
And then Locke takes my arm in a sure grip. I risk a glance up at him and then at Morgan. The others are meant to believe this has already been done, likely more than once. But the truth is I barely know what to expect. I’ve never even seen it done. I meant what I said to that healer. The Barrack didn’t dothat. If a female was a problem, she was given to a bull until she no longer was. What if they find out that Morgan hasn’t done as he was ordered? Will he be punished?
I glance up into his face, surprised that I care, but I think I do. He’s been nice to me and that means something. I don’t want him lashed for it. Kindness is rare and it demands the same in return. Doesn’t it?Shouldn’tit?
I dig my heels in instinctively when Locke’s fingers tighten, my heart thudding in my chest, but I try my best to relax, to look as if this is as commonplace for me as it is for all the others. I lie to myself on a loop.
I’ve done this before.
It isn’t the first time.
There’s nothing to be frightened of.
Bere sits down on a haybale close by and bites into an apple as he oversees the room like a bored king from his throne.
I’ve done this before.
‘Silve, why aren’t the others in the bathhouse yet? Take Kings with you.’
