Page 41 of The Fury She Holds
He chuckled in her ear. “Is that what you’d like to call it?”
Tal rolled her eyes even though he couldn’t see. “Is this how you win over all your female conquests?”
“No conquests, just you.”
“I hardly believe a member of the nobility doesn’t take advantage of his status to pull silly little girls into dark corners to satisfy his unsavory desires.”
“I’m offended you think so little of me, but I’d gladly letyoupull me into a dark alcove to show meyourownunsavory desires.” His arms curled around her a fraction.
Tal sunk further into his arms, exhaustion pulling at her. “What I desire is a decanter of ale, a plate of pheasant and fresh bread, followed by a full night of uninterrupted sleep.”
“Then the first round at the tavern is on me.” He let the conversation fall away when Tal didn’t respond.
They continued in silence and soon, the rhythmic clopping of the horse lulled Tal to sleep.
12
Tal limped past the blacksmith’s shop. “Dammit,” she grumbled. Her wounds weren’t closing. Whatever spell the mage used had caused more damage within her limbs than a mere blade. She hoped the alchemist knew how to put her to rights. As soon as she convinced Septimus to create a new formula for his healing elixir, she would retreat to her bed for the next forty-eight hours.
A figure stepped out from the alley, and she scowled. “Go away, Daire.”
“I need to talk to you,” he said, his tone serious.
“I’m busy.” She brushed past him, trying to hide her limp.
Daire kept pace with her. “I just need a few moments. I think you owe me that much.”
Tal’s anger flared, and she stopped short. She bit back the retort that sat on the tip of her tongue and glared at him instead.
“Join me.” He nodded to a pier jutting out over the water. He waited for her to accept, his expression serious.
Tal took what should have been a deep, cleansing breath and exhaled aggressively. She hobbled down the street, the lengthof one building, crossed another street, and sat along the wall overlooking the lower docks, her legs hanging painfully.
Daire, who gave no indication that he noticed her obvious injury, sat next to her, tucking his captain’s sword behind him. He hesitated only briefly, but turned to Tal and said, “I want you to know that I forgive you.”
Tal cocked her head and gawked. “Excuse me?”
“I forgive you, Talwyn,” Daire repeated.
She stared at him in disbelief. While there were certainly many things Tal had done to require forgiveness, his audacity to say it outright amazed her. No asking how she felt, no acknowledgement that he had unfair expectations, not even an apology for the ridicule she received at the ball even before she actually chose to be a nuisance.
She swallowed her anger and instead said as calmly as she could, “What is it exactly that you forgive me for?”
“Come on, Tal. You made a fool out of me at the masquerade; not to mention, you ruined my dress uniform. I’ve spent the last two days as the center of gossip because I brought a barbarian to the king’s ball.”
“Oh.” Tal blinked. “Is that what you think of me? I’m a barbarian?”
“That’s what the nobles are saying. I’ve had to make up this ridiculous story that you’re recovering from the influenza after learning of your brother’s sudden passing overseas, and you aren’t yourself.”
Tal couldn’t believe she’d considered this fool a friend for so many years and then let him court her. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your ego was so fragile that it shattered the moment any of those overstuffed pigeons realized you had relations with anyone less than nobility.” She stood to go, wincing against the searing pain in her legs.
“Are you not remorseful over your behavior? You ate your meal like a dog that had been starved for days.”
She stopped and turned. “Is that not what I am? When has anyone from the docks ever evenseenexotic meats or a room with enough food to feed an entire village, let alone been invited toeatit? And the looks they give you if you actually do eat it!” She gasped dramatically and put her hand on her chest. “Heavens forgive me for accepting such a gift and enjoying it!”
She turned, but he grabbed her arm, right where the mage cut her open. She grunted and flinched in his grasp. Daire froze and gaped at her, noticing the tenseness in her body, the way her back hunched. He pulled his hand away, and his eyes grew wide when he saw the fresh bloodstain from the wound he had just reopened.
“Who did this to you?” His voice deepened with rage, his eyes narrowing, and his jaw set. He tightened his hand over the hilt of his sword as if he would fight her attacker right then and there.
