Page 72 of Of Steel and Scale

Because there were few things Ithican glasscouldn’tpenetrate. “How many of these arrows have we got?”

“What we have—both in arrows and in spears—I brought with me from Jakarra. I have no idea what supplies remain there, but it is a long time since they used spears to hunt sea life.”

“And Ithica? Have they been approached to buy more?”

“Indeed yes, but we have not yet received a reply. Even if we are able to purchase enough to cover our needs, the distance between our two continents means it could take weeks for it to arrive. I fear we do not have that time, Bryn.”

I feared the very same thing. “Does Father know you’re giving me these?”

She smiled. “We keep no secrets from each other. No married couple should.”

“Your marriage is far different to mine. You love Dad, whereas I—” I cut the rest off and shrugged. I had no idea what I actually felt for Damon. Yes, he was attractive and sexy, and I liked what I knew of him so far, but we were still strangers in so many ways that really mattered.

“He is a good man, Bryn, even if he comes from bad stock. When the darkness comes, you should trust him, even when common sense suggests otherwise.”

Alarm slithered through me. “You’re dreaming again?”

She half raised a shoulder. “Whispers, nothing more.”

“What have those whispers said? What haven’t you told me?”

“All I know is that Aric lies. About what, I cannot say. Not yet.”

“Aric, not Damon?”

“The whispers have only said he can be trusted.”

That was something. Mom’s dreams, while few and far between, were rarely wrong. I just had to hope this wasn’t one of those rare occasions. “Why is Aric still here? I thought he was going home before the feast?”

“He decided to wait until we knew more of the situation at the Beak before he did.”

“You believe him?”

“In that, yes.”

I finished my stew and leaned back, feeling better if no less tired. “Anything else?”

“No.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Go play with your husband, while you still have the time.”

I pushed to my feet. “Because a comment likethatisn’t going to raise any concerns about what the future brings.”

It was wryly said, and she chuckled softly, catching my hand and drawing me closer to drop a kiss on my cheek. “It was not meant to be anything more than a reminder that war gathers on the horizon, and we must take our pleasure where and when we can. Go. I will talk to you tomorrow morning before you leave.”

I nodded, picked up the bow and quiver, and then left.

The time had come to seduce my husband.

9

Not that Ifor one minute suspected that would, in any way, be hard. All evidence so far suggested the exact opposite. Still, I wasn’t about to go in there smelling of blood and grime, either. I might be looking forward to the promised bath seduction, but the last thing I wanted was for it to be happening in water as foul as I currently smelled.

I quietly bypassed my room and headed down to the thermae, placing the bow and quiver on a nearby bench before stripping off and climbing into the spring.

As the bubbly water tingled across my skin, a young bathing attendant appeared and placed a towel on a nearby bench. “Can I get you anything else, ma’am?”

“A scented soapweed—the verum, I think—and a robe. My clothes are... well, worse for wear.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “Shall I send them for cleaning?”

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