Page 76 of Silver in the Bone

She pushed off the fence and dropped into the perfect mockery of a curtsey. “I thank ye.”

Caitriona and Bedivere rounded the side of the tower, both dressed in a light shell of armor, having forgone the stiff-jointed greaves and helms.

There was a slight press against the workbag slung at my hip. My hand lashed down, catching Flea’s wrist as she tried to stealthily retreat with something in her fist.

“A curse on ye!” Flea growled, struggling to extract herself from my grip. I turned her hand over, revealing a small selenite crystal. Cabell whistled.

“Not bad,” I told her. “Clever to wait for the distraction, but next time don’t go for the obvious.” I held up the thin bracelet of braided silver I’d slipped off her other wrist to make my point. “Look for the opportunity to fetch a real prize.”

Her eyes bulged as she grabbed at her bracelet. “That’s mine, thief!”

“What’s this?” came Caitriona’s husky voice. “Are you stealing from a child?”

I gave the girl a look as I released her. “You can keep that crystal.”

“You sure you should have told her that?” Cabell murmured as the others approached.

“Just doing my part to raise the next generation of disreputable girls,” I said, then added, more loudly, “Merely showing young Flea a little trick.”

The girl scowled and made a gesture that was rude, regardless of the century and world.

“What are you doing here, Flea?” Caitriona gave her a stern look. “Rhona has been searching for you all morning. You cannot keep hiding from your lessons.”

As Caitriona came toward us, Emrys suddenly appeared behind her. He hung back several steps, his hands in his pockets. Though he’d changed out of his filthy slacks and sweater, he’d still managed to completely mask his body beneath long breeches, a long tunic, and a scarlet vest that buttoned up to his throat.

“I’ll take Flea to the library,” Olwen said, hurrying up behind them. “Perhaps you’d like to join us, Neve? I can show you our collection.”

I couldn’t tell who seemed more shocked by the suggestion, Neve or Caitriona.

“But the library—” the silver-haired girl protested.

“—is an invaluable resource to all,” Olwen finished, taking a grumbling Flea by the hand. “Shall we?”

Neve looked between her and us, uncertain. “I’d planned to go with them ...”

“Stay,” I told her. “Really, it’s fine.”

I didn’t like the idea of separating, but I did—begrudgingly—trust Olwen to look out for her. And, well, questioning Nash about the Ring of Dispel would be a simpler thing without Neve there.

Neve nodded, and some of the tension around her eyes eased.

“Let us be off before the light is gone.” Bedivere glanced at Emrys. “Are you coming?”

“I am indeed,” Emrys said, sounding like his usual self, even as he refused to look at me. “It’s a lovely morning for a ride, don’t you think?”

“I’m afraid there’s only four horses who’ve the strength for the journey.” Aled’s green skin went ashen. “I hadn’t realized—”

“I’m sure Tamsin won’t mind if I ride with her,” Emrys cut in, coming to stand beside me.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“Going with you to see your father, obviously,” he said, never once glancing my way.

I rolled my eyes. Of course he’d never let us go without him—not when the Ring of Dispel was possibly at stake. I hadn’t yet told Cabell what I’d seen in the sacred springs, but Emrys’s little maneuver made me want to do it then and there.

Aled leaned against the fencing with a grimace, taking the weight off his right leg.

“Are you well, Aled?” Caitriona asked.

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