Page 19 of Born of Starlight
We rode wordlessly for miles before Emmerick spoke over his shoulder. “How long has it been since you’ve been down here?”
“I’ve never been down here.”
His head swung around, and he twisted in the saddle to look back at me. “Never?”
“No,” I answered with a shrug. “I can effectively serve the realm from my tower.”
“So, you’ve never been down here, never been to the courts…” His voice trailed off in wonder, like I was some mesmerizing specimen in a jar.
“Correct.”
One thick eyebrow rose. “Am I the first man you’ve ever seen?”
At that, I burst into laughter, surprising myself, and the red horse’s ears perked up. I covered my mouth to stifle it.
“No. The towers receive visitors.”Some unwelcome.
He smiled over his shoulder. “Well, I’m glad. I wouldn’t want this mug to be the first man’s face you saw,” he joked.
I shook my head. “You have a very nice face. I am sure your wife is happy with its symmetry. I read once that women like that in a face.” I could have grimaced at myself. In all my years studying spells, charms, curses and potions, why hadn’t I read up oncasualconversational skills?
It was his turn to laugh. “You say whatever you mean, don’t you?” When he composed himself, he answered, “No wife.”
“Well then, I am sure you have plenty of women back in Luz awaiting the opportunity.”
He shook his head, answering simply, “Only one that matters.”
I smiled despite myself. Emmerick was so amicable and effortless—he wanted nothing from me beyond our shared mission. My shoulders relaxed. I hadn’t realized the tension I’d held there.
“You talk to your weapons—why?” I asked.
He shrugged, facing forward but speaking loudly enough to be heard over the whispering winds. “Why not?”
“Are you sound of mind? Talking to inanimate objects seems odd.”
“Pot to the kettle.” He turned in the saddle again. “I name them after the people I care for. When I’m away for extended periods, it helps me feel like they’re close to me.”
He reached into his boot and withdrew a dagger that was embellished with rubies. “This one is Angeline. My mother’s name. I carry it with me everywhere.”
The thought of Emmerick, the picture of force and power, carrying a dagger named after his mother was charming.
“And your broadsword?”
“Enough questions.” His tone was light but clearly deflecting. “We need to pick up the pace to make better time.”
* * *
Emmerick ledus until the sun descended. We’d rode into thickets of trees denser than the woods by my tower.
Sunset was always my favorite time of day. I’d hoped we might be in a clearing so that I could see it from this angle. The forest floor at dusk offered me its own beauty, immediately dispelling that disappointment. Golden specks of light peeked through gaps in the tree canopy to cast a glow over the ferns and brush below. That mix of green and gold sang to me. Every whisper of wind, every drop of dew falling, became a mantra that I’d hold onto forever. Emmerick looked entirely unmoved—was nature always so beautiful down here? Why didn’t he notice it?
Emmerick dismounted and helped me down. “How are you feeling?”
“That doesn’t matter—my duty is to serve Luz.” My voice was barely a whisper as I soaked in the golden glow of the forest.
He contemplated me. “You’re not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
