Page 111 of Bull Moon Rising

I stir my porridge, eyeing my husband from afar. He sits at the far end of the table from me, talking to the nestmaid, who’s taking notes for food supplies for the week. We’re on the cusp of the Conquest Moon and apparently it affects Taurians in all ways, including hunger. He needs additional foodstuffs, some of which will be prepared in advance and deposited into our room so we don’t have to leave the bed during the moon time, a fact that makes me blush so hard my face feels scalding. Everyone is going to be extremely aware of what we’ll be doing in that time frame.

It’s no different from an arranged marriage, I remind myself, in which your husband would be keeping you in bed trying to get you with an heir as quickly as possible. Everyone knows you’re having sex then, too.

“We’re getting the counterfeit pass tonight,” Gwenna murmurs, holding a mug of tea up near her mouth and cupping her hands around it to hide her face. “You’re going to have to keep Hawk busy after dinner so he doesn’t ask questions.”

Oh. I nod, mind racing, as I try to figure out how one distracts a surly Taurian who’s already distracted by sex. The obvious answer is right there, but I also don’t want to rouse his suspicions. The last time I reached out to touch Hawk on my own, he called me a spy. I need him to instigate things. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I ponder this all day as we go through weapons drills, and we switch up our positions. Lark takes over shield-bashing everything, and truly, she’s far more enthusiastic about it than I ever was. Gwenna takes over navigation, and that leaves me with either being the healer or the gearmaster.

“I kind of like being the healer,” Mereden tells me shyly. “And I know a lot about tending to wounds thanks to my time at the convent.”

“Then you should stay the healer,” I agree, because I don’t know anything about wounds. Gearmaster is a fairly simple position—I manage the supplies and ensure we don’t run out…which isn’t something you can practice at the dorm. I work with a shortened quarterstaff instead and try not to think about all the other things we could be doing. We’re supposed to be learning more about artifacts and Old Prell itself. Magpiesuggested we head to the guild’s library earlier today, since it should be deserted (as everyone in training is currently in the tunnels except us).

Hawk said no.

Said he was in too bad of a mood to be around the rest of the guild. He’s definitely been on the surly side of things, I think, as I glance over at him working with Kipp. The slitherskin bounces along the walls and flings himself off Lark’s shield as the two of them counter Hawk’s heavy, insistent blows with a club.

His temperament has gotten worse, as twice now, the guild has sent messengers today. Most of the Taurians are gone from the city, which means that the retrieval and assistance missions are all falling to him. He turns them away, too, but I can see his scowl growing deeper with every person who arrives at the door.

By the time we’re done with lessons for the day, he’s in an absolutely foul mood and the guild has sent a third messenger, only to be turned away. The others pile into the kitchen for snacks—and to escape his wrath—and I remain behind as he tidies up the training room. Gwenna told me to stick to his side today and I intend to do so.

I approach him delicately. “You know I don’t mind if you want to help out with the guild—”

“IsaidI would spend time with you,” he all but snarls.

I recoil.

Immediate remorse flashes over his face. He runs a hand down his muzzle, sighing heavily. “I’m sorry, Aspeth. It’s not you. It’s just…today. The guild. Magpie.” He gestures at our surroundings.

“And the Conquest Moon?”

“Like a fist around my cock at all times,” he admits. “And just as impossible to ignore.” He runs both hands down his long face. “I’m going to be a beast to live with until this passes.”

I want to make a joke about how as a woman, I know all about being cranky during certain times of the month. That I can relate to his foul temper being out of his control. But somehow, I don’t think comparing my menstruation cycle to this will help cheer him any, touchy as he is. If he were a woman, I’d offer him sweets. But Taurians are fussy eaters and I don’t even know if he likes sweets. Even so, feeding his mood isn’t a bad idea.

“You know what you need?” I tell him, moving to his side and sliding my hands around his arm. “A nice, hearty meal out and away from everything.”

That makes a smile quirk his hard mouth. “Are you offering to buy me dinner, Aspeth?”

“No, because I don’t have two pennies to rub together.” I grimace. “I spent all of my coin getting here. But it would be nice to go out for a bit, just the two of us. Get to catch our breath and not have five other people breathing down our necks.”

It’s the right thing to say. He pulls me close and nuzzles at my neck, sending shivers up my spine. “Change into regular clothes, hmm? I’ll wash up and meet you at the front of the dorm in a few. I need to speak with Magpie.”

I’m sure that’s not going to help his mood, given that Magpie abandoned us early in the day because she had a “headache.” I’m not sure if it’s alcohol related or secret-plan related, but either way, it’s bound to set Hawk off even more. But I nod and give him a saucy wink, watching as he leaves the room.

It feels wrong to lie to him, but once again, I’m back to not having a choice. I need the other half of that ring, and I absolutely can’t let it fall into Barnabus’s hands. I need to get my father some way to protect our people, and soon, because all the teams scouring the tunnels are bound to find something to help Barnabus wage war on my family’s hold.

The moment he’s gone, I race to Gwenna’s quarters and knock on the door. She opens it a crack and then, after seeing it’s me, lets me inside. The others are in there, except for Magpie. “I can’t stay,” I pant, because stairs are not part of our workout regimen. I rub the stays on my corset as my lungs heave against the confinement. “Taking Hawk out for supper at a tavern somewhere to keep him out of your hair.”

“Good,” Lark says. “We’re meeting with Aunt Magpie and one of her friends later tonight to get the counterfeit pass. After that, we just have to wait until Hawk heads out again.”

“I don’t know if he’s going to,” I say. “He’s intent on sticking close to me due to the moon tomorrow.” Which is both flattering and frustrating.

“Aunt Magpie will figure it out.” Lark is fully confident. “Just keep him occupied tonight while we work on this part of the plan.”

I nod and then hesitate. “You guys won’t go down without me, will you?”

“Never,” Gwenna reassures me. “You’re part of our Five.”

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