Page 97 of Shadows of Winter

“You didn’t see anyone?” she added.

“No, but I didn’t go exploring. My stew was on the fire.” Frayvar grimaced. “All my meals will be ruined. The opening tonight…”

“I know. It’s horrible.”

“There were people out front looking at the menu this morning. I took mead samples out, and more people came. Some said they’d be back as long as they could eat outside. I showed them all the tables in the courtyard and said that wasn’t a problem. They really liked the mead. It was all going to work. And now—” Another round of coughs took Frayvar.

“Relax.” Kaylina patted him down, trying to figure out if he had broken bones. That he was talking was a good sign, but she wanted to take him to see a healer.

His face contorted when she touched what had to be a tender area. Broken ribs?

Kaylina drew back. Better to let a healer do the exam.

“I like your ranger more now,” Frayvar admitted, closing his eyes. “He doesn’t seem as stuffy and aloof when he’s saving your life.”

“Odd.”

“Yeah. Though his face was the same, even when he was heaving the rack off me.” He opened his eyes. “Real steady and calm. You have no idea what he’s thinking.”

“He had to be thinking that someone was an idiot for crafting such an obnoxiously heavy pot rack.”

Crenoch walked over and stood beside them, his tail brushing the pebbles of the trail as he looked up and down the river. Why did Kaylina believe he’d decided he needed to guard them?

“Probably,” Frayvar said. “It was heavy. I’ve been told I’m not real expressive. Maybe Vlerion is like me. And grandma too. She laughs and jokes sometimes, but she’s usually got a blank face when you’re talking to her. I guess I do too.”

“We’re not the most normal family. Except for Silana, maybe.”

“Yeah. She takes after Dad. What I remember of him.”

“She’s not a deadbeat who abandoned his family because he couldn’t handle doing mundane chores and having Grandma tell him what to do.” For the first time, Kaylina realized that she had left the family too, drawn by something intangible. Needing to prove herself, yes, but maybe also feeling it would be easier without so many eyes upon her, without her loved ones worrying about and judging her. The realization that she might have some of their father in her was disturbing.

“I don’t remember much about him,” Frayvar said. “He played wooden snakes and rabbits with me.”

“He hugged you too. You hated that. You always tried to squirm away.”

“I prefer games to hugging.”

“You prefer everything to hugging. You’re never going to get a girlfriend.”

“I guess I should stop dreaming about Lady Saybrook then.”

“I think so.”

Vlerion stepped out of the courtyard, soot streaking his bare chest, his damp trousers clinging to him. He looked heroic. And hot.

Kaylina swallowed and pulled her gaze from his chest, glad that fires didn’t rouse the beast. Most battles didn’t either. She wondered what had happened in the catacombs, why he’d lost his equanimity down there.

“How is he?” Vlerion pointed to Frayvar.

“Broken. Would your doctor be willing to treat a young chef?” Maybe she should have asked about another healer, one not associated with the rangers, but their doctor was experienced, and she wanted the best for her brother.

“I’ll ensure he is,” Vlerion said. “Crenoch can carry the three of us.”

The thought of returning to the taybarri’s back with Vlerion’s arm wrapped around her again had some appeal, but…

Kaylina bit her lip and peered through the gate. She should go with her brother, but she wanted to figure out what had happened here. And, if it was possible, she wanted to salvage her mead. Especially if someone lurking below had stolen some. What if they came back for the rest?

“The fire is out?” Kaylina didn’t see any more flames, only sooty stone and water dripping from the eaves and streaking the walls. The heat had dissipated.

---