Page 12 of Court of Treachery

She nodded mutely, resisting the urge to bring a trembling hand up to her lips. Brand moved closer, and Harper angled herself defensively, lowering her weight so she could run if needed. She did not fear Brand as the hunter and warrior she knew he could be, but Harper knew something was afoot, and it set alight her instinctive desire to flee.

Brand stopped and held up his dark palms. “I don’t mean you any harm. I’m sorry to intrude, but it’s for your own good.” He looked away and rubbed his hand across the back of his neck.

Harper frowned. Was he…embarrassed?

“You ought not to have such dealings with Aedon,” he said awkwardly, still not meeting her eyes.

Harper felt both intrigued and indignant. “It’s not your business,” she uttered rebelliously, though embarrassment sent a blush to her cheeks.

“Yes, it is. You both travel with us. Thatmakesit our business. But more than that, you are our companions. We care for you. It’s best for both of you if you do not become involved.”

“Why?”

Brand paused and chewed on his lip. He still would not meet her gaze. “When Aedon lost Valyrea, something within him broke. It has never healed, and he has never been able to truly love anyone or anything. Of course, he has dallied with maids from here to the blue seas?—”

Harper spiked with a sudden dark rush of emotion that stung as it blitzed through her.

“—and never has he left anything but broken hearts in his wake. I will not allow that for you, and I will not see him hurt himself once more.”

Harper did not know what to think of that. It was not what she had expected.

“Will you heed my advice?”

She looked at him as he met her gaze at last. “I’m not a child,” she eventually said, and raised her chin to him. “I appreciate your care, but I make my own choices, whatever they be.”

She could not forget the way Aedon’s warm, glowing skin surrounded his bright green eyes, or the way his hot breath felt against her lips, or the way the promise of his kiss had made her stomach flutter. She would not lie to Brand, or herself, and promise to walk away.

Brand’s shoulders slumped with a mixture of disappointment and resignation, but he nodded. “Come, Harper. Back to camp. Our meal is ready.”

It did not have to be anything serious, she thought. She had never needed a man before, and nothing had changed. She would be damned if she denied herself a little fun.

Aedon kneeled at the fire, glowering as much as the logs he stoked. Ragnar and Erika sat in tactful silence.

“Oh good. We’re ready for you,” Ragnar said with a rush.

“Sorry for the delay,” Brand mumbled. He sat next to Erika, who offered him a choice morsel skewered on a sharp stick from the fire. He took it gently, his fingers brushing hers, and murmured his thanks.

Erika stiffly picked up her own stick and ate, not looking at anyone. Refusing to, Harper realised. She glanced between Brand and Erika. How had she never noticed it before? The way they gave to each other in silent appreciation. The strong bond they had when sparring. The close camaraderie—closer than they had with any of the others—a silent affinity. The waythey disappeared into the woods alone sometimes—but returned together. Or vice versa. Harper wondered if there were anything more to it. The corner of her mouth quirked up in a small smile.

When they rose simultaneously after finishing their food to go and train down near the stream, Harper was almost certain of it. She could have laughed. Brand had no call to question her or Aedon’s actions if he performed the same dance with Erika.

“Yes. The irony isn’t lost on me, either,” said Aedon darkly as he caught her watching them leave.

Ragnar looked between the two of them in confusion.

“Brand and Erika… The not-so-secret romance,” Aedon clarified for him.

“Ah, yes. And the irony?”

“Oh, nothing,” Aedon said breezily—as he did, Harper had realised, when purposefully avoiding answering. “Harper has finally twigged.”

Ragnar pursed his lips. “They’re a funny pair. Never known anyone like them.”

“Funnyisn’t the word.”

“What do you mean?” Harper asked.

“Oh, just the two of them. You’ve seen how they are, together and apart,” Aedon said, gesturing a hand after them. “Not exactlynormal. Both running from their pasts and what haunts them, always dancing around each other. It makes me want to bash their heads together and tell them to get on with it and be happy already.”

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