Page 48 of The Fury She Holds
“Of course not! You seem to think I’ll always come to your aid. If I find you in one more compromising position, I’ll have to give up resisting and marry you already.”
“Please, not this again.” Before he could say anything further, she changed the subject. “Meet me at the longest pier at sunset. And don’t for one second think I need you looking after me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, my lady,” he said with a bow.
Before he stood, Tal slipped none-too-gracefully into the open sewage drain, cursing her bruised and broken body when she hit the tunnel floor.
14
The hollowclunkof Faron’s boots on the wooden pier forced a smirk that tugged at Tal’s lips. Her cheek throbbed, a constant reminder of the blow to her head the night before. Carrick was none-too-happy that morning while Sybil complimented her blue and purple trophy. Once she’d slept off the attitude and alcohol, Tal admitted her actions were foolish. She owed the noble a great deal of thanks for coming to her aid.
She bit her lip, her own pride keeping her from saying the words she’d rehearsed all day. “I almost hoped I’d finally scared you off last night.”
Faron’s footsteps vibrated through the planks. “You’re happy to see me, just admit it.”
Golden sunlight glistened along the water’s surface below her dangling feet. Tal inhaled the rank odor of garbage and seawater. She preferred it over the stuffy tunnels she had confined herself to for most of the day. Her ribs screamed with each shallow breath, forcing her to sit with a straight back. Egan’s natural healing salve provided minimal relief. He had given her thejar without a word when she instructed him to search for her attackers that morning.
Rainier, on the other hand, had suggested she stay in the tunnels until her injuries healed. “They’ll be looking for a woman with a black eye,” he had said, gnawing at his top lip.
Tal sighed and turned when Faron’s footsteps reached her.
He grimaced when he saw her face. “That’s bruising nicely,” he said as he sat beside her.
Tal nodded, steeling herself. “Thank you for helping me last night,” she blurted.
Faron waved his hand. His flowy white shirt lay opened to reveal his muscled chest underneath. He caught her looking and winked, causing Tal to blush. “Feeling any better?”
Tal nodded, though her throbbing injuries said otherwise.
Faron reached into the satchel on his belt and pulled out a vial of light-yellow liquid.
“I told you I have my own,” she shook her head.
“It’s the one from last night. Just take it. You’re going to need to be in perfect health for what I have planned.”
Tal shot him a scathing look, but he just held the vial out, keeping his expression neutral. She pocketed the elixir, a shock running down her hand when her fingertips brushed his. “So, what do you have planned? Don’t tell me I’ve already corrupted you into hunting down those scum.”
“I already know where we can find them. Ed is trailing them with Egan for now, but no. I have something less… vengeful planned tonight.”
Tal blinked at him. When had he found the men from last night? And why? Her eyes met his and froze. The last rays of the setting sun reflected in the depths of his irises. Green and gold wove among each other like the leaves of her willow tree.Beautiful. She hadn’t noticed that particular hue in them before.“Care to share?” She cleared her throat. “Or are you going to continue to be cryptic?”
“Are you well rested?” His lips quirked in a half smile.
“Yeeessss.”
“Good. Because we can’t leave until sunrise.” He braced his hands on the dock and tilted his head back, watching the sky turn dark.
“I don’t understand.”
His tone dripped with mischief when he replied, “That’s okay.”
Tal waited for more information but received none. After a few breaths, she carefully mirrored his posture and gazed at the first night stars. They sat in silence for several minutes until her broken ribs screamed for reprieve. She collapsed onto the pier, breathing against the pain.
Faron must have noticed the hitch in her breath, but he didn’t acknowledge it. After a few minutes, he lay down beside her and rested his hands under his head.
“Why are you here?” Tal couldn’t stop the intrusive question.
“I told you. I have made plans. I think you’ll enjoy them, though I could be wrong.” He shrugged.
