Page 31 of Degradation

The innkeeper’s gaze went from me to Andrew as he stood suddenly.

“Do you have any idea how much you’ve upset your…kin? Me?”

“Were you looking for me?” I asked, mustering every ounce of innocence I possessed, which was a good deal since Eloise and I had practiced often.

“Where have you been?” Andrew demanded.

“I went for a stroll in the market. The folk here aren’t friendly, but I did find a caster who was quite helpful.”

“A caster?” Edmund asked. His anger hadn’t lessened with my return. “What business do you have with a caster?”

“My own, I should think.”

Garron and Darian chose that moment to enter. I could feel their relief at the sight of me.

“Trouble, you have three seconds to give me a better answer,” Edmund said.

“Answer for what?” Darian asked.

“Why she went to a caster,” Liam said.

They all looked at me. I gave my most innocent smile. “For my bleeding pains, of course.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” the innkeeper said. “You should have come to me first. I have some tea I can brew for you.”

With her in the kitchen and distracted, Edmund took a menacing step toward me.

“I will not be bullied, Edmund,” I said with soft warning.

“And I will have the real answer.”

Brandle and Eadric entered. Their emotions ran from joy—Eadric—to relief and anger—Brandle. Eadric hurried toward me and swept me up in a hug.

“We were so worried about you, Sparrow.”

I hugged him tightly in return and, aware of our audience, withdrew from his comforting embrace.

“I’m sorry to have caused you concern. But I’m well. I promise.”

The innkeeper harrumphed. “Your menfolk won’t learn to care for you if you don’t speak plainly about what ails you, child. Whether they want to hear it or not.”

Brandle cocked his head and studied me. His curiosity and worry wrapped around me.

“Are you unwell?” he asked.

“In the head,” Edmund muttered.

“She went to see a caster,” Liam said. “For her monthlies.”

No one missed the disbelieving intonation he used while speaking the last part—including the innkeeper, who shook her head and muttered under her breath about thick-headed men and questioned what the world had come to that there was no consideration left.

“What’s done is done,” I said.

Daemon walked in. His gaze locked with mine, reflecting the hurt and betrayal I felt from him.

“You’ve returned,” he said.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

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