Page 92 of The Duke and the Disciple

“Unlike her brother, you mean?” Imryll’s eyes clouded.

Rahn’s fingers tightened at his sides. “Aesylt’s relationship with her brother is hers to define. I can only speak to the man I aim to be.”

“One who talks in circles and says nothing of use,” she said, disgust curling the edges of her mouth. “Unless it’s about your treasured research.”

“Ourtreasured research, Imryll. This was your passion. I’m just here to help.”

She snorted and pivoted, glancing at him sideways. “For a man embroiled in a lifelong love affair with truth and facts, it astounds me how easily you can avoid your own when its inconvenient.”

It wasn’t inconvenient. It was inefficient. Long ago, he’d learned to store such inefficient feelings where they couldn’t destabilize the parts of his life that gave him purpose. Some people found comfort in processing their emotions, but that was not his experience. He stubbornly pointed at a chaise on the other side of the room. “I’ll sleep there.”

“So it’s not enough to have chins wagging about you and Aes. Now you want them to talk about us too?” She lifted her shoulders in exhausted defeat. “Fine. Stay. We’ll just tell the truth, say you were worried about her. No one needs to know you’re in love with her.”

Rahn threw up his hands, heat flooding his neck. “I’m not inlovewith her, Imryll, for gods’ sake!”

Her eyes narrowed. “But in return, you promise me you’ll leave me out of whatever is going on between the two of you. Because I would lie for you, and I would lie for Aesylt, but I will not lietomy husband. Ever.” She reached for a quilt lying on the back of a tall chair and tossed it at him. “You’re both adults. You don’t need me to remind you of the consequences. Just don’t look surprised when the fates come to collect their due.”

Chapter19

The Surprise

Aesylt answered Rustan’s and Pieter’s questions as best she could. She said nothing of the blending of past and present, the way the visions had usurped her sense of time and place until she could no longer be sure whether she was eight-year-old Aesylt or twenty-year-old Aesylt.

But she was telling the complete truth when she’d said she had no idea how she’d hunted so many animals nor how they’d come to be stacked so neatly before the dressing boys had arrived.

It was the same line of questioning she’d sat through ten years ago with Lord Dereham, giving her testimony of that horrible night. Back then, it had been Fezzan Castel at her side for gentle encouragement. This time, it was the scholar.

No, Lord Dereham, I don’t recall killing so many of the king’s soldiers. I can only remember two.

No, Lord Dereham, I don’t recall hunting so many animals yesterday. I can only recall two.

Rustan exchanged frequent, troubled looks with his son, whom he seemed to be getting along with again. “Aesylt, I want you to understand that no one is accusing you of anything,” he said after a long breath out.

“I should hope not.” She straightened at even the hint she’d done something wrong. He wouldn’t have felt the need to use those words if he wasn’t at least thinking them. “Women are skilled hunters in the Cross, as good as men, even if the occasion to use the skill is less than we’d like. I was trained by three of the best, and even if... Even if those years are long behind me, when I picked up the bow, it was like no time had passed at all.”

“And the spear?” Pieter leaned in, his eyes soft, like he was afraid she’d combust if he pushed too hard.

“What is the question?” Aesylt retorted.

“I think she’s answered enough.” Rahn settled her cloak over her and stood. “She needs more rest.”

“She won the competition,” Pieter said, looking at Rahn. “It’s customary for her to accept the gold in front of all the hunters who participated.”

“I won’t be accepting any gold,” Aesylt said. She pinned her cloak at her neck, offering Rahn a grateful smile. He’d been there when she’d woken from the terrible nightmare, and he was determined not to leave her side for any reason. She’d never needed a man to make her feel safe, but he did, just the same. “I understand Wulfsgate is one of the few cities who still has a healing monastery for the indigent to receive care.”

“That’s right,” Rustan said slowly. “But they are already well-funded from my coffers. As well as any profitable infirmary.”

Aesylt thought about it. “Then distribute it evenly amongst the rest of the hunting party, including the dressing boys, with my gratitude for bringing in enough game that the half you’ve offered my people will be life-changing.”

She’d reached the courtyard before Rahn matched her pace, instead of walking behind her. “I need to think about something other than what happened yesterday.” She paused at the garden and turned toward him. A bolt of sadness struck her at how much she wanted to kiss him, in the open where anyone could see, and how it could never, ever happen. “I know what you’re thinking, and no, I don’t want to starwalk today.”Maybe not for a while,she thought, remembering how little control she’d had over her entrances and exits throughout the night.

Rahn’s head tilted sideways—in disappointment or concern, it was hard to tell. “I wasn’t thinking anything of the sort. My only concern is you at present.”

Aesylt wanted to reassure him she wasn’t insinuating what he seemed to think she was, but it was nice to feel wanted. To be someone’s priority. Not since before the Nok Mora had anyone treated her with such warmth and concern as Rahn Tindahl. “Lord Dereham said the skies might clear tonight. I know I could clear them myself in the celestial realm, but I don’t... have the heart to go there right now. Can we make it an astronomy night?”

He brightened. “I’ll pull the charts out and get the ink ready.”

“Looking forward to it.” She grinned to mask the pain she was desperate to be rid of. “Actually, I do want something else. But without starwalking, we cannot... There are things we shouldn’t do if we’re not there.” She twisted out an awkward chuckle. “I really don’t know what I’m suggesting or asking. For you to come up with a way around the rule? To surprise me, I suppose?”

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