Page 14 of Heart of Defiance

I roll my shoulders and stretch my legs. Even if it was unintentional, I’m grateful for the sleep. Now that I’ve fully woken up and eaten, my thoughts are much clearer than they were this morning.

Is the mission I’m about to embark on insane? Possibly. But at least three people trained to know what a reasonable fight looks like seem to be on my side. So presumably it’s not too crazy.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to make it through the next five hours alive, but I still have nothing to lose.

I’d still rather die taking at least a few Darium soldiers down with me.

A whistle that sounds like a drunken bird sounds outside the tent, followed by a muffled mutter and a rustle of shifting clothes. The hushed voice rises just enough for me to make it out as Jostein’s. “Signy?”

Swallowing hard, I ease aside the tent flap.

At first, I almost don’t recognize the two men. Jostein and Iko have discarded their steel helms and burgundy soldier uniforms for plain shirts and trousers not all that different from mine.

They look more real somehow, like they’re people I could actually know rather than distant figureheads.

Jostein waves me out with a small smile that sends an unexpected flutter through my chest. His now-visible rich brown hair, several shades darker than his bronze skin, only makes his blue eyes stand out more impressively.

The flutter only grows with Iko’s soft chuckle. “I bet she would have figured out the birdsong just fine.”

His hazel eyes gleam as they meet mine, his face even more roguishly handsome now that he’s in clothes to match.

Gods smite me, I didn’t quite notice before just how appealing both of these men are to look at.

I yank my mind back to the task at hand. “I’m here. Lead the way out of camp.”

They’ll have a better idea than I do which is the safest route to avoid notice.

As we slink between the trees, leaving the cluster of tents and my neighbors behind, I notice the swords sheathed at the men’s hips are more modest too—short ones, only about the length of my forearm.

I guess typical military weaponry would draw more attention than we’d prefer. And also the captain wouldn’t want any Darium forces who capture us to realize they’ve been attacked not just by Veldunians but specifically our local soldiers.

As the lantern light dwindles behind us, the men’s strides lengthen. They pause in a small clearing, Jostein reaching into his pocket.

“It isn’t much, but we thought you should be somewhat properly armed.”

He hands me a curved hunting knife on its own leather strap that I can fasten around my waist. I draw the blade out for a moment to admire it in the hazy dusk. “I’ve never had a blade this nice.”

Iko grins. “Nothing but the best for our rebel. Come?—”

Footsteps rustle behind us, and we all stiffen. Before I can react with more than the lurch of my pulse, Landric hurries into view, his hands held up in a pose of surrender.

Jostein’s hand leaps to his sword hilt. “What are you doing out here?”

Landric eyes the squad leader for a moment before his gaze slides to me. “You’re going to the guard post like you talked about, aren’t you? I could tell something was up, the way the captain pulled you aside.”

I glare at him. “What’s it to you?”

He blinks as if he’s surprised I’m not celebrating his arrival. Sure, he stood up for me for about five seconds earlier today. Did he figure that somehow erased all the insults he and his friends have slung at me over the past several years?

Then he squares his shoulders, his annoyingly attractive face defiant. “I want to come with you. I want to help.”

Jostein considers Landric with a skeptical expression. “It’s going to be a long walk.”

“That’s fine. I’m ready.”

Both of the soldiers shift their attention to me. Iko cocks his head. “Since this whole expedition was the lady’s idea, I think the lady should make the final call.”

Before I can open my mouth, Landric extends his hands toward me. “I’m sorry. The way things were around town—none of it was fair to you. I think you’re doing the right thing. Please, let me do something to help you this time.”

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