Page 69 of Bloodguard

She grabs my hands when she catches up to me, and I look down at them, hardly recognizing them anymore.

“We’d wrap our hands the best we could,” I tell her. “It was painful. And it was hard watching the children learn—”

“Children?”Maeve asks, horror puckering her brow.

I don’t need a mirror to know my features harden. The kids would cry, thinking they were being punished. I push away the memory of when Rose and Dahlia were old enough to work. Dahlia sobbed as I pulled the needles from her bloody hands every night, and Rose would clamp her jaw and go deathly silent as I removed the spikes rammed into her nail beds. I curse a few times. It’s what ultimately led me here. I just wanted my family to stop hurting.

Maeve’s fierce eyes stare straight ahead. “That perfume will be banned.”

Yeah, it should be. I agree. But…what would Siertos have to barter or sell without it? The region relies on belladom for its entire economy now. “I don’t think it’s as simple as that, Maeve.”

She sighs. She knows it isn’t.

“Come on,” I say, turning away from her. “Let’s finish this excursion and head back to the manor.”

“I’m almost finished here,” Maeve says, grabbing my hand to lead me around an ogre pushing a fruit cart.

I thread our fingers together. I don’t question the rightness of it. I just enjoy the feel of her hand in mine and the reassuring squeeze of her fingers as she offers me a silent comfort for all the pains of my past.

There is no need. I am determined to live in the present.

Eye on the prize, I remind myself.

She leads us to the craftsmakers section of the market, plopping me in front of a case of big, shiny knives while she speaks to a man selling baby toys at the next cart over. I look at her quizzically, and she mouths the wordestrellaswith a smile.I can’t help but smile back. Of course the lemur puffs get a gift, too.

“This will be perfect for Toso,” I hear her tell the man. “He’s learning advanced commands already. Can you believe it?”

Keeping one eye on Maeve, I allow myself to admire the gorgeous feats of blade smithing in front of me. It only takes a moment for my eyes to catch on something wonderful.

“May I?” I ask, reaching for the lone boomerang blade on display. I can hardly believe she even has one—what citizen of Arrow is going to purchase a weapon native to the southeastern deserts of Siertos? Other than me, of course. Once I secure my Bloodguard winnings, perhaps I’ll commission a few. I always meant to teach Dahlia and Rose the art of its wielding.

“Good…taste.” The giantess nods eagerly. “One of…my favorite.”

“Mine too,” I say, testing its balance in my hands. “This is beautifully crafted. And wicked sharp, too.”

The blacksmith beams, then even more so when I toss the weapon in the air, one end spinning over the other in consistent, precise rotations, and catch it with ease.

“Ah! Not many…can wield…boom…er…ang.” I toss it once more, even higher this time, and once more on top of that, to make us both happy.

“Impressive!” Maeve says, returning to my side. “Where’d you learn to do that?”

“Back home.” I shrug, but pride is brimming in my chest.

“Then we’ll take it,” she says to the bladesmith, passing over quite a few coins more than it’s worth. I should probably protest, but, well, Iwantit, this little slice of home. And who am I to take coin out of such a lovely craftsmaker’s hands?

“Thank you, Maeve,” I breathe. “Really. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

“My, there’s no need for all that.” She winks. “You’ll be a great help to me with this thing. The wizard’s elm grows all its most potent leaves at the very top, after all, and it’s not the only one.”

“Then those branches don’t stand a chance.” I grin and tuck the boomerang blade into my waistband. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a day this good.

Maeve takes my hand and guides us out of the market and down a desolate alleyway.

The quality of the homes diminishes quickly.

“Where are we going?” I ask, unease settling in my bones.

“I have one last stop,” Maeve says. She must sense my tension, because she adds, “I’m sorry, Leith. I’m not purposely trying to frustrate you.”

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