Page 50 of Of Nine So Bold

I froze, curse words from every language I knew blurring through my head in an instant.

Gwyneira stepped around the side of the carriage.

Carefully concealing any trace of my reaction, I shifted my weight to face her. “Yes?”

My voice was still rough from days without much food or water, and cold besides, but she didn’t care. She walked closer.

I remembered several curse words I’d left out.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

My internal swearing went silent.Thatwas her question? Everything she’d gone through, the fact she could have died, and she asked about me?

Gods, how did onebeginto deserve her?

Fighting down the tangle of anguish, need, and awe that was choking me, I kept my voice tightly controlled as I replied, “I’m fine.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw her nod. For a moment, she was silent, and then she asked. “What was that?”

With effort, I kept my face still. “What was what?”

She was silent.

Shame began eating at my gut like acidic rot. Damn me, I was feigning ignorance to save myself when I should have been acting with more honor. I hadn’tintendedwhat happened, no, but I still needed to own up to it rather than acting like a coward and leaving her to?—

“What you did,” she said.

Gods, it felt as if we were sword fighting, each testing the other with careful strikes, seeing where our opponent’s weak points lay.

I didn’t want to be her opponent.

But I didn’t want her to hate me for what had happened either.

And I was starting to fear I reallywasa coward.

“I reached out to you with my magic,” I said, not looking at her. “Is that what you mean?”

She made a noise of agreement.

And left the answer up to me.

Strike, defend. Strike, defend.

I’d never been good at sword fighting.

“I’m sorry.” My heart began pounding. “I swear, I would never intentionally?—”

“Did you see my memories?”

I froze. Her words felt like a peace offering extended over a possible trap. If I said yes, would she lash out in rage for the violation?

Closing my eyes, I cursed myself silently. I didn’t need to be a scholar to know that was a foolish question. Gwyneira wouldn’t. She’d put distance between us, yes. My friends would take care of beating me senseless.

And I’d deserve every blow.

Bracing myself, I made myself look up. “I’m sorry. Truly. I never meant to?—”

“I saw yours too.”

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