Page 68 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘Let me think on it, okay? It’s not a no, but we’ve never done that before. I need to consider it.’ She dipped her bread in the oil and leaned back, wincing slightly.

‘Of course.’

Ariadnne let herself be hopeful. She knew it might be harder for Melixanthe to allow after the trouble she had caused, but surely she could see that Ariadnne was sorry.

She knew not to push the subject, so changed it.

‘I’m not sure the healer was right, you know—about why you got so sick. They said that it was a bad infection, but I’ve been thinking. I’m worried it wasn’t an accident. This time, or the last.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Melixanthe frowned.

‘Poison. I think the arrow was poisoned.’ Once the words started tumbling out of her, Ariadnne couldn’t stop. ‘Each time you’ve been injured, Lucius’ company was there. Sol has been acting strange—more so than usual. It’s obvious how much he hates you, and me.’

‘Ari!’ Melixanthe stopped her. ‘Enough about Sol! He would never hurt me. We’ve trained together since we joined the Guild and fought side by side in more battles than I can count.’ Her nostrils flared. ‘And you are wrong, about him not liking you. Don’t judge him when you barely know him.’

Ariadnne recoiled from the warning flashing in Melixanthe’s eyes.

‘Okay, okay.’ She raised her hands. ‘Just, please, promise me you’ll watch yourself around him.’

Melixanthe rolled her eyes. ‘Fine, I promise.’ She looked annoyed that Ariadnne had pushed her to promise such a thing, before her features softened. ‘Look, I know this is coming from a good place. You’re worried. Know I’ve got things under control, okay?’

‘Under control?’ Ariadnne didn’t know what she meant by that.

‘Leave it alone.’ Melixanthe’s tone was firm. Ariadnne bit down her frustration. Why wouldn’t she trust her? Why hadn’t she told her sooner that the Council was watching her actions?

What was she hiding?

They ate in silence for a bit, then as if making simple conversation, Melixanthe asked,

‘How are things with Nieve?’

Ariadnne almost choked on an olive and had to wash it down with a glass of water.

‘What? I... uh, I told you. It didn’t come to anything.’

Melixanthe gave her a pointed look. ‘I’m assuming that’s who you want to go into town with? I’m not blind. Don’t think I didn’t notice it was her people we went gallivanting off to save last weekend.’

Ariadnne swallowed. ‘I mean... I enjoy her company, but as I said it’s not anything. Really.’ The words tasted like ash on her tongue.

‘Hmm.’ Melixanthe could see right through her, Ariadnne was sure. The general leaned back, an appraising look in her tired eyes. ‘Look, if I let you go, you will take someone else too. Kayla perhaps. I need you to be on your best behaviour. Honestly, Ariadnne, I mean it when I say you need to be above any suspicion. After this recent debacle, the Council is watching. You heard Leth. He wouldn’t be above forcing you to do something you really wouldn’t want to assert his control over you.’

‘I got that impression,’ Ariadnne growled. ‘I promise, I just want to get out of the castle. Enjoy a change of scenery. Nothing else.’

‘Okay. I’m trusting you, Ari. I’ll send word for them to come and get you around two.’

Ariadnne’s wanted to jump up and hug her handler but restrained herself, settling to finish her meal in companionable silence.

Nieve. She hadn’t dared to hope Melixanthe would allow her to escort her. The idea of spending the afternoon with her filled her to the brim with anticipation, but she couldn’t forget the purpose of the trip. With any luck, she would run into someone who might have some answers.

Sol had been her only suspect until now. If Melixanthe was right, and it wasn’t him, then who else could be doing the Council’s dirty work?

Thirty-one

Nieve

The ceiling had never looked so dull. Nieve lay on her bed after lunch, trying to summon the willpower to get up and go back to the yard to train. It had been a hard week, the attack on Miradael a reminder of everything she’d left behind. The people she’d abandoned.

The day her family died, Miradael had been left without a ruler. Much as Nieve wanted to forget the facts, Nieve’s father had been the Lord of Miradael. On the day he died he hadn’t even had the chance to draw a weapon, betrayed as he was by his right-hand man, Gregor. Nieve sneered at his memory. He had wanted Nieve as his wife and her father had said no—so Gregor sold them out, giving away details of their security to roving bandits.