Page 130 of Blood of the Stars

Before she could say anything else, he loped off into the night, a mournful howl escaping his lips.

Aeliana didn’t even realize she’d run after him until Gaeren’s arms and chest blocked her, a solid wall that she beat against.

“It was for the best.” He tried wrapping his arms around her, whether to comfort or subdue her, she didn’t care. Instead of reaching for her heavy dagger at her hip, she pulled his from its sheath directly in front of her. Its familiar light weight from that night in Islara brought back the desperate emotions swirling through those memories. She held the dagger at his throat, the power she felt when he went still making her sicker.

“Don’t touch me,” she hissed.

He raised his arms and backed away. “I was just trying to help.” The remorse in his eyes almost made her believe him.

She tossed the dagger at his feet. “I don’t want your help.”

CHAPTER 53

“You’re staring again,” Riveran said.

Gaeren shifted his eyes away from where Daisy sat atop her horse. “I expected her to hate me for being an Elanesse. I didn’t expect her to hate me for helping her free Felk. At least not for this long.”

“Women are complex creatures.” Riveran grinned. Gullet squawked his agreement from Riveran’s shoulder. “And it’s only been six days.”

A dozen retorts rose to Gaeren’s mind, but for once he let them slide. An argument would only lead them back to stony silence, and if he didn’t have Riveran to talk to, his options for conversation on the long rides grew slim.

There was always Orra, but half the time she was in her own world, far away from Rhystahn. Cyrus had borrowed The Sins of the Stars, so now the strange almost-priest only wanted to discuss theology with Gaeren. Every night, Velden left camp, returning after Daisy’s training for a meeting with Sylmar and Jasperus. Those three never spoke to Gaeren, probably afraid he might pull the memory of their conversation right out of their head if they got close enough.

Kendalyhn hardly acknowledged Gaeren’s existence, but she seemed to treat Daisy the same, so he didn’t take it personally. Holm and Lukai had started sparring with him in the evenings, and Iris was gracious enough to give him a long-overdue haircut. She’d finally decided he was the same boy she remembered and fussed over him more than his own mother ever had. Sometimes they reminisced about life at the Celanoft Sungazer, but that usually ended with Iris in tears as she questioned how much Emeris had known about Gaeren’s identity versus how much she had intentionally kept secret.

He would have liked to talk to Daisy some. He hadn’t seen her do any of the blood magic Kendalyhn mentioned. He hadn’t heard her making plans to overthrow the royal family. Maybe if they had a conversation, they could get to the bottom of what had happened that night when she’d left, or what she’d been doing since, or why their families had to hate each other when they’d been so close as children. But the connection they’d had as children was gone. Instead of being overjoyed at their reunion, he felt like the Daisy he’d known had died, and now he had to grieve the loss.

With no other options, he was left with Riveran for company.

Gaeren tugged on Skunk’s reins to keep him from snapping at the horse’s tail in front of him. The larger roads allowed for a faster pace, but to Gaeren’s and Skunk’s dismay, the size of their group still slowed them down.

“You should try talking to her,” Riveran said. “Clear the air a bit. Maybe you two could be friends again.”

Gaeren snorted. “That’s easy for you to say.”

“Seriously, go on. Take Gullet with you. She likes animals.”

Gullet squawked as Riveran forced the bird off his shoulder. When Gullet landed on Gaeren’s arm, they both eyed each other with distaste.

“Are you going to make this situation better or worse?” Gaeren asked.

Gullet readjusted, digging his claws through Gaeren’s sleeve and into his skin. Gaeren tugged on his reins, guiding Skunk past Sylmar and Velden until he was lined up with Daisy’s mare.

At first Daisy glanced up with a ready smile that took Gaeren’s breath away, but as soon as she saw who approached, her face went blank. She sat straighter, channeling Enla’s regal grace even though she wore the same homespun split skirts that Orra insisted on wearing.

He held back a frown at the oddity, certain she’d misinterpret it. But even the peasant women in Elanesse chose practical trousers over skirts. How did these two women expect to defend themselves properly?

“Gullet was hoping to cheer you up a bit,” Gaeren said, holding out the hawk as an offering. “He usually comes with earsplitting squawks and bird droppings. Otherwise, he makes everyone smile.”

Daisy stared at the bird, then Gaeren. “Did Riveran tell you to bring him?”

Gaeren glanced over his shoulder, where Riveran leaned across his saddle’s horn to get a better view. He grinned at Gaeren.

“He did, actually.” Gaeren turned back around. “So maybe you should pet the bird and make everyone happy. Then you can go back to hating me.”

“I don’t hate you,” she mumbled, leaning over to line her arm up with his. Their hands brushed for the long moment it took Gullet to make the transfer, making Gaeren’s bond mark tingle.

“Really? Then how do you treat the people you do hate?”

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