Page 19 of Bull Moon Rising

SEVEN

ASPETH

I’m trying notto be smug as he guides me out of his bedroom. Getting him to agree to let me into the fledgling ranks was surprisingly easy. A hand in marriage? A virtue I don’t plan on using? Child’s play.

I’ll think about the implications of it later. For now, I just feel as if I can breathe for the first time since arriving here in Vastwarren. I’m going to join the guild. I’m not going to be sent home. Everything will be fine.

“You’re both determined to do this?” Hawk asks as I rejoin Gwenna in the hall. “Can’t talk you out of it?”

“Not me,” I say automatically, and try not to stare too hard at Gwenna. If she abandons me at this point, I won’t blame her, but…I’ll also miss her terribly. Having her at my side is the only thing that’s kept me from having a nervous breakdown as one obstacle after another presented itself.

“I’m staying at Sparrow’s side,” my former maid says, lifting her chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I beam at her. “We’re going to have so much fun—”

“This is not about fun,” the Taurian snarls at me. “If you’re expecting ‘fun’ out of this, then you might as well turn around right now and march out that door.”

Gwenna and I exchange grimaces at his sour attitude. Sheesh.

“This is a dangerous job, and that’s why apprenticing is so important. If you aren’t going to take this seriously—” He pauses, glancing around. “Where in the five hells did Lark go?”

“Got pukey,” Gwenna explains. “She headed off to find the latrine.”

Hawk sighs heavily, then rubs a hand down his long brown snout. I want to stare at him in fascination, because I’ve never spent so muchtime around a Taurian before, but it seems rude. I guess I can stare at him after we get married.

Goodness. We’re going to bemarried. The thought strikes me as absurd and bizarre at the same time. If he finds out I’m a holder’s heir, he’s going to send me back to my father—or blackmail me for funds or artifacts I don’t have. It’s imperative he never know.

“Fine. Whatever,” Hawk says after a long moment. “I’ll show you to your quarters. Follow me before I change my mind.”

And then he gives me a long, meaningful look.

“Wonderful,” I chirp. “Thank you.”

We pause and I gaze at my surroundings, thrilled. I’ve tried to picture what the nests—the dorms the fledglings live in until they get official guild housing of their own—are like. It’s dark and I don’t have my spectacles, but the place seems cozy enough. There are creaky wooden floors under my feet, and there’s a draft coming in from somewhere. A large fireplace at the entrance has a pair of chairs near it, and on the landing of the stairs there’s a painting that I can’t make out. Upstairs, I imagine, is where the students stay. Overall, it’s a bit ramshackle, but that just adds to the charm.

Gwenna tugs on the cart in the doorway. Before she can drag it in farther, the Taurian lets out a heavy sigh, moves toward her, and grabs the entire thing, holding it against his chest as if it weighs nothing at all. It’s a display of strength more than it is of politeness, and I’m unnerved as he heads up the stairs.

Gwenna is, too. She shoots me a suspicious look as I grab Squeaker’s carrier and tuck it under my arm. “Change his mind about what? What’s he talking about?”

“He’s going to be my chaperone,” I whisper brightly. “So I can join the guild apprentice ranks.”

“And how did you manage that?”

“I’ll explain later.”

The look she gives me is openly skeptical, but I keep smiling. I follow behind the Taurian as he stomps up the stairs, his hooves making sharp, echoing raps on the wood. He moves to the door farthest down the narrow hall and throws it open, revealing a small room with a single bed, aragged rug on the floor, and a trunk at the foot of the bed. “Quarters” is all he says.

“Delightful,” I say, and I mean it. This is the authentic experience and I’m going to savor every moment. “Looks as if we’re sharing, Gwenna.”

“For tonight you are,” he agrees, turning to look at me over his shoulder. “Tomorrow you’re with me. We’ll find a priest in the morning.”

“What?” Gwenna squawks.

I wave a hand at her, indicating she needs to be quiet. I’ll explain everything when we’re alone.

Hawk moves toward the trunk, and I can’t help but notice that for his big, bulky form, he moves with a fascinating grace. Are all Taurians built like him, or is he unique in his breadth? I eye his thick flanks and the pants nearly falling down his arse behind his tail….

Gwenna tugs on my wet sleeve, glaring at me furiously.

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