Page 153 of Forcing Fate

Sergeant Greyson looked up, interested now. “Fun? Last night?” he asked.

I frowned and took another bite. Once I was done, I could take my leave.

“Mmm, at what hour, pray tell?” Corporal Bane pried.

“Now, now Bane. Calm down. She’s a good girl, you know that. She would never break curfew,” Rory taunted. “Not on her own.”

“On your own? Were you with someone else?” Willhelm straightened, and my cheeks burned.

“Rory, enough,” I said with a warning glare.

“So there’s truth to it.” Sergeant Greyson leaned forward, excitement lighting his features.

“Who else broke curfew?” Corporal Bane asked.

I scraped my plate and stood. “Willhelm, may I have a word?” I asked, stepping away from the table.

He made a noise of interest and nodded. His friends watched us like kittens spying a ball of yarn. They were sure at any moment I would make a move that would give them something juicy to gossip over.

Willhelm joined me with a wave to the others and followed me out. “Does it have to do with last night?” he asked as he fell into step beside me.

“A little,” I sighed. I rubbed at my arms, defending against both the chill and my insecurities.

“Hmm.”

We walked in silence as we headed for the obstacle course. I didn’t want to risk any soldiers eavesdropping and gossiping like school girls.

I sat on the rough bench near the fence and dropped my elbows to my knees, placing my head in my hands. “I need advice, Willhelm,” I groaned, tugging my short hair.

“You look like you could use it.” He sat beside me, stretching out his arms behind me.

I looked up and gave him a small smile. He was one of the calmest, steadiest men I knew. He took everything in stride and was respectful to everyone.

“I was out past curfew last night.” I admitted. “Mind you, it wasn’t under my own power. I was taken from my room.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell Bane?” he asked.

I noted the way his fists clenched, like he wanted to say more, but kept quiet.

“Because I’m not necessarily mad about it,” I said, dropping my head to my hands again.

There was an awkward pause, and I realized he had the wrong idea.

“I didn’t spend the night with a boy!”

He blew out a sigh of relief, and I laughed.

“You should know me better than that,” I grumbled in jest.

“Well, you’re a woman. You might have… needs.” He grimaced.

His obvious discomfort with the topic brought a smile to my face, and I leaned back against his arm. “I assure you, I do not.” I looked off into the distance and pulled my knees up to my chin. “General Rafe sent for me. He sent his Tennan. I haven’t been completely forthcoming with you concerning him.”

I bit my lip and snuck a glance at him. He was frowning, but staring down the darkening road, content to let me finish.

“Willhelm, I need your advice. You’re the only one I trust to give me sound counsel. I don’t see a clear path ahead of me, and I need your wisdom.”

His frown disappeared as a sly grin tugged at his mouth. He watched me out of the corner of his eye. “You need sage counsel from a wizened old man?” he asked playfully.

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