Page 89 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

Raw.

Emotional.

He seemed to welcome my candor, but perhaps I read him wrong. Then there was that odd discussion the following morning. The more that I reflect on it, the more the question he asked strikes a chord in my chest.

“Once we’ve dealt with Vorr’s murderer, where do you see yourself?”

At the time, I hadn’t picked up on what he was truly asking. What was hidden beneath the simple question. I’d answered so quickly, too quickly, that I hadn’t paid much attention.

Of course, everything is clear in hindsight. He’d been trying to ask me if I saw a future with him. And, like the brute that I am, I ignored it. He must think I don’t want him. That I don’t share his feelings.

Taking a breath, I loosen my jaw. I need to talk to him.

Alone.

Lightly gripping the reins, Asheros’s gaze is focused on the road ahead. He sits in front of me, so I’m met with the back of his head, unable to see his face.

Adjusting my position, I lean forward to get his attention.

He pretends not to notice, but I see the way his brows lift. “I’d like to speak with you when we make camp.” I try to level my tone. “Alone.”

“Is it something urgent?” Asheros asks, feigning concern. Amusement flickers in those diamond-irises, and relief lessens the weight in my chest.

“Quite urgent,” I reply, playing into his charade. “This is a matter that can’t wait.”

“Oh, really now?” he muses, mouth tugged into that familiar grin.

“Indeed,” I say, with a youthful poke to his shoulder.

“How convenient for you that we’ll be stopping to make camp in a few hours,” he teases. But despite the smile playing at his mouth, worry underlines his expression.

Is he afraid I’m going to reject his feelings toward me?

Wrinkling my nose, I give him a pretend frown. “You say that like a few hours is sometime soon.”

“So impatient, Bladesinger,” he says, mirroring my expression.

I can’t help but chuckle.

The sound of hooves clacking against cobblestone has us turning our heads. Behind us, Savell urges his mount faster, until his horse trots alongside ours.

The humor immediately fades from Asheros’s expression, hard lines forming at his mouth. “What is it?”

“There’s been a development,” Savell says, a sense of urgency lacing his tone. “There’s word of a red-eyed male who’s been spotted near Lyndhaven.”

“Lyndhaven?” I echo. Lyndhaven is a small town situated between Esvelon and Illnamoor, though it’s slightly farther north than both.

So he is traveling to Illnamoor.

Furrowing my brows, I narrow my eyes at Savell. “How do you know this?”

“At Asheros’s request, I’ve asked my contacts throughout the realm to be on the lookout for a hooded, red-eyed male,” he says simply. “One near Lyndhaven reported back.”

“Your contacts?” I repeat.

Savell nods. “I have a network of contacts for… information purposes.”

“I see.” Leaning my head back, the realization sets in. “That’s what you two were whispering about at Arella’s before we left.”

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