Page 25 of Ira

I startled, staring blankly at Astrid.

“Meera hasn’t said anything, I’ve just noticed you hanging around her a lot,” Astrid added.

“I’ve never noticed you in the gardens.”

“I’m told that I can move quietly for a Hunter.”

Yes, that much was certainly true. “I suppose I am wondering about Meera’s childhood, yes. But it would be intrusive of me to ask you about her.”

“I can’t tell you much anyway. We didn’t know each other as kids. But I can tell you that of all of us, Meera is second only to me on the daggers, so she was probably a busy kid too.”

I’d suspected as much, in all honesty. That was probably how thatmanhad gotten access to her in the first place.

“Does it bother you to know she’s good with knives?” Astrid asked, shooting the captain an irritated look as the baton vanished into smoke in her hand. Apparently, he’d decided that our training session was over.

“No. I’m glad to hear it.”

Astrid looked at me strangely. “I guess I see why she enjoys spending time with you then.”

And with those confusing parting words, she was gone.

I’d forgotten how oppressive the heat at Sunlis was. It descended over me like a heavy blanket, immediately sapping my energy.Had I really spent my whole childhood here? It felt like a different life.

The market was loud and busy, and the smell of various meats prepared in a multitude of ways permeated the entire square. From almost the moment I arrived, I felt the attention of all the Shades present on me. This was a local market, and my family was well-known here—equal only to Levana’s family, though her father was a recluse and mine made a point of being involved in the community.

I hoped Meera really enjoyed the ojurac, because the number of stares I was receiving in order to get it was stifling.

“Cousin,” Osric said, walking directly through the middle of a small group of Shades, a skewer of meat in his hand. “How unusual to see you in the region.”

I hummed in agreement, staring Osric down until he inclined his head in respect.

“You are well, I see. Spending a relaxing day at the market. How lovely.” I gestured vaguely at him, and his shadows rippled in annoyance. It was hardlymyfault that he was lazy and unambitious.

“What can our small, humble market have to offer you? Surely, you’re used to the luxuries of court life by now,” he said loudly, drawing attention to our conversation.

“The finest ojurac in the realm, of course,” I replied, projecting my voice so that our audience would hear it. “One of the ex-Hunters pronounced it to be her favorite food in the shadow realm.”

“They eat ojurac?” someone whispered. “Did you know that?”

“I though they would only eat their own foods.”

“It’s probably some kind of trick,” another said. “But what can we do? They’re the only reason the stores aren’t completely empty.”

Interesting. I didn’t know what reactions I’d expected the general population to have, but I supposed it made sense that they were suspicious since they never spent any time with the ex-Hunters. No one could be suspicious of Meera if they had an opportunity to speak to her—she was quiet and reserved, but also kind and honest. Anyone would be able to see that.

“I have plenty of ojurac here, Master Verner!” one of the stall owners called out. “Freshly made this morning.”

“Perfect—I will take the lot.”

“Ever the beloved son,” Osric said coolly, his shadows flickering. “At least out here, among the community.”

But not at home.

I smiled at him. “Indeed. Thus far, their affections have proven to be much less fickle than the ones you’re courting. I wish you all the very best with that.”

With a slightly harder than necessary clap on the shoulder, I left him standing there with his meat skewer while I went and got as much cake as I could carry for Meera. Let Osric play his games here. I wanted no part of them.

Chapter 8

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