Page 87 of Forcing Fate

I stabbed my fork into a sausage, frowning. “And be whipped for the trouble? No, thank you.”

A sharp burst of laughter came out of his mouth. “They wouldn’t whip you for that. Besides, the staff avoid me. It’s the Corporals that have their eye on me, and none are here to witness your lapse in judgment.”

My eyes narrowed before I scanned the hall. Sergeant Briggs was not present.

“Eat it quickly?” I mumbled.

“I’m a bounty hunter, remember? I excel at subtlety,” he whispered with a dramatic flare.

We switched plates, and he practically inhaled his extra portion, before taking the single ration at a normal speed. I ate my food, barely tasting it, but knowing I needed the energy for today.

When he finished, he leaned back against the wall. “You’ve really never held a weapon?” he asked.

“Never. Not even a bow.”

“Hmmph.”

I studied him from the corner of my eye. He crossed his arms over his chest, watching everyone in the room. I would learn to fight. I would learn like a soldier. Soon, I’d handle a blade just as well as Niehm.

“You carry your coin on you?”

My brows snapped together. I was irritable this morning. He seemed friendly enough—he wouldn’t try to rob me… would he?

I formed my words with care. “I keep it in a safe place.”

“Don’t we all?” He snorted.

He grabbed his crotch, and my cheeks burned at the vulgar action.

He caught my offended look. “Girl, don’t you know where a soldier keeps his coin?”

“In his pocket.”

He scoffed and leaned back further, pushing up his hips. “Hardly. Pockets cost a pretty penny.”

He shoved a hand into the front of his trousers and fished out a pouch that jangled with coins. It was looped around his belt but slipped inside his pants instead of outside. He offered me a smile before tucking it back in.

“So, do you carry your coin on you? Somewhere under that dress?”

I frowned as he looked me up and down. His tone was teasing, but after last night, I was in no mood for such jokes. “No. Why would I need to?” I snapped, pushing my empty plate forward.

“To buy a blade.”

My scowl faded, replaced with open curiosity. “Buy a blade? I can buy a blade?” Hope flickered in my chest.

“Sure. You can’t take them on the school grounds, or so I hear, but soldiers are allowed their own weapons.”

I could buy a sword.

I could defend myself.

“Mind you, you’re not allowed to use them against other soldiers–”

His words trailed off, and misery trampled whatever hopeful feelings I’d managed. What good was buying a blade if I couldn’t use it to protect myself?

“Unless they’re doing something equally unlawful,” he added.

I bit my lip. General Rafe paid me well for the mendings. I didn’t know the average cost of a weapon, but I could afford something. I would take anything at this point.

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