Page 58 of Grave Situation

I pick up my wine and study her face. “Are you mad at me about that too?”

“No. You’re an ass for saying it, but they’re adults and soldiers. They know better than to think it might be true.”

“Exactly.” I fork up more chicken. “Are we sure these are the king’s most elite guards? Because I think he sent us the rejects by mistake.”

She snorts. “I’ve met Pim before. He’s an elite soldier—they all are. They’re just not used to Talon Silverbright.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I can’t help feeling indignant. I’m a delight, damn her. All the guards at the academy love me… and my money.

Maybe that’s where I went wrong. Should I have bribed Pim and Clem? I just assumed the king’s most senior soldiers would be offended by that.

“It means that they’re used to mages who are more… traditional,” Jaimin soothes. “Have you met Haftel, the king’s mage advisor? She’s very skilled and knowledgeable, but she doesn’t go around hanging people midair.”

I roll my eyes. “Talking to her is going to be fun.”

They both laugh at me.

“I think you’ll like her,” Jaimin says. “Just… until we get to the palace, try not to annoy the guards too much.”

Ugh. Fine, then.

We set out after lunch.Tia goes ahead, since Leicht is already with the soldiers at their camp, while Jaimin and I saddle the horses and settle up with the innkeeper, who’s most distraught to see us go.

When we ride into the camp—though it’s not really a camp anymore, since Tia’s arrival was a signal to the guards and they’re all mounted up and waiting for us—I’m gratified to see everyone giving Leicht a wide berth. I’d have been extremely upset if he’d decided to befriend them all just to get at me. That’s the kind of petty thing he’d do, no matter how many times Tia tells me I’m crazy. That dragonhatesme.

I look around, then nudge Sweetie in the direction of Sergeant Pim and Clem. Sweetie, who’s also not happy about leaving the comfort of the inn, decides to rear instead. I cling to the saddle, hoping I’m not about to be tossed on my ass in front of all these soldiers, and pretend I can’t hear their gasps.

When my demon horse’s hooves are once again firmly on the ground, I lean along her neck and mutter, “Don’t embarrass me, and I’ll get oats for you at the palace.Oats.”

That doesn’t seem to have any effect, so I try again.

“There’s an apple and a carrot in my saddlebag. Cooperate, and they’re yours tonight.”

She snorts and begins walking in the direction I wanted her to. We pass Jaimin, who’s shaking his head, habitual smirk on his handsome face.

I rein Sweetie in, then fish a paper-wrapped parcel from inside my coat. When I told the innkeeper I wanted to take some chicken with me to eat on the road, he suggested it might be easier to ask the cook to put it in a half-loaf of bread.

“Here.” I hold out my offering. “I apologize for what happened earlier. It was a reflexive action, I’m afraid.”

Tia tugs at my mind.

“What? I’m in the middle of something.”

“That’s not how you apologize, Talon!”

Shutting her out, I give the two wary-looking soldiers my most loveable smile. They exchange a cautious glance. My arm is starting to get tired. How would they react if I used telekinesis to hold the sandwich?

“A reflexive action?” Pim asks hesitantly.

I nod. “Muscle memory. I teach, you see. And every year, with the new class, there’s always someone who doubts I’m actually a mage.” I shrug. “So I prove it to them. The class is always very tractable after that.”

Jaws drop. “You actuallydothat? What you said about hanging people over a chasm?” Clem exclaims. “I thought that was posturing!”

“Nope.” I give the sandwich a little shake, hoping he’ll take it, but he’s too busy staring at me like a fool.

“But they’re children!” Pim sputters.

“They’re eighteen. And the first thing I teach them is how to use fire. Do you know how dangerous fire is? I don’t need them sassing me when fire’s in the equation.” This is getting very boring. “Are you going to take my peace offering or not?”

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