Page 27 of The Curse of Golden Blood
I looked around to ensure nobody was close enough to overhear. The Dining Hall was bustling with people. The fae servants stood against the dark blue walls, wearing uniforms of bright silk that shimmered in the low light. Their presence reminded me that I was, indeed, still very much in enemy territory.
"Nope. Nothing. Complete waste of time."
"Hardly." Pelbie crossed her arms. "You aren't acting like it's nothing. I know you well enough to know when something is amiss."
It was true. As an empath, Pelbie could literally feel the emotional states and physical responses of others.
While it was an admirable and useful skill, it also often proved to be irritating, especially in moments like this one.
I took another bite of a soft, yellow fruit called an ancient star. "They just wanted to... apologize," I said. "And offer me some food. That's all."
It wasn't technically a lie. But I knew Pelbie would see right through it.
"Apologize?" Pelbie asked, arching an eyebrow. "The Warlord? I can't imagine him ever apologizing for anything. It's not in his nature."
I shrugged, and tried to keep my expression neutral. "Well, he did. So there you have it."
Pelbie shook her head again, her mouth set in a firm line. "I don't believe it. What else happened?"
"I’ve already told you everything," I said, picking at the rind of the ancient star. "Now it’s your turn. How was training with Brond?"
Her mouth opened like she still wanted to press me, but then her posture changed. A faint flush crept across her cheeks. A genuine smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
"It was fine," she said quickly. A little too quickly. “We ran some formations. Nothing worth reporting.”
"Uh-huh. Nothing worth reporting, but you’re blushing like he asked you to marry him."
"I am not blushing."
"You absolutely are."
She grabbed her cup just to have something to hold, staring into it like the answers might be hiding at the bottom. “He’s just... respectful. Polite. Strong. Smart. Kind of funny, actually." She traced her finger along the rim of her goblet, suddenly shy. "And really handsome, when he lets his hair down and gets all sweaty and—"
"Pelbie," I interrupted.
"Yes, oh dear." She looked up with a sheepish grin. "Maybe I am a bit infatuated with him."
"Ha." I winked. "It's been a while since I've seen you in such a state."
"Stop teasing me." She giggled. "It's not as though it would ever lead anywhere. The Vessel system here isn't designed to bring people together, after all. Besides, you know how strictly they enforce the 'No Fraternizing' rule."
"Nothing that will get anyone pregnant," I finished, nodding.
She chuckled and shook her head, eyes falling back to her goblet.
Suddenly, the doors to the Dining Hall swung open, and Terys burst into the room. His tunic was now torn and stained with what looked like blood.
He strode across the hall, boots striking the stone floor with an echo that made the lightning veins in the walls shudder and spark. He made his way towards the long black table where I sat with Pelbie.
"Good morning, lovely ladies!" Terys beamed. "Did you sleep well?"
"Good morning, Terys," Pelbie replied. "We did. Thank you."
He sat down across from me at the table, plucked a grape from the platter and popped it into his mouth like he owned the room.
“So,” he said, dragging the word out, eyes gleaming, “you’re alive.”
