Page 84 of Her Orc Protector

"No?" Daric raised an eyebrow. "From what I hear, you took down a war mage with dark artifacts, and the Council actually listened. That's not something that happens every day in Everwood."

"She doesn't need reminding," Fira said dryly. "She was there."

Daric's grin widened. "Fair enough." He raised his tankard high. "To the Archivist's Aide who flattened me in front of ten men and just got a war mage thrown in chains. Stars help whoever crosses her next!"

Several nearby tables heard and joined in the toast, voices rising in a chorus of approval. I clinked my tankard against his, uncomfortable with the attention but not wanting to seem ungrateful.

"It's not that simple," I tried to explain. "The Council still has to—"

"He's their problem now, not yours," Daric interrupted, waving away the details. "Tonight's for celebrating."

His hand settled on my shoulder, a friendly gesture but one that lingered just a fraction too long. I shifted slightly, creating distance without being overtly rude.

Across the room, I caught Uldrek watching us. His expression was carefully neutral, but I saw the tightness in his jaw, the slightnarrowing of his eyes. Then someone said something to him, and he turned away, laughing at whatever joke had been made.

An unexpected pang shot through me—not jealousy, exactly, but something close to it. Not because he was talking to others, but because he wasn't here, with me, on this night of all nights.

The conversation flowed around me, Daric and Fira falling into some good-natured argument about proper sword technique. I nodded and smiled at appropriate moments, but my attention remained split—half here, half across the room where Uldrek now stood with Thok, deep in conversation.

"...don't you think?" Daric's voice broke through my distraction.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, turning back to him.

His smile didn't falter. "I asked if you'd be keeping your position at the Archives now that everything's settled."

"Oh." The question caught me off guard. I hadn't thought much beyond today. "Yes, I suppose so. It's good work, and Edwin has been very supportive."

"Good," Daric said, his tone warm. "Everwood's better with you in it."

The compliment was simple, sincere. I smiled my thanks, feeling a strange dissonance. Here was someone offering uncomplicated appreciation while the one person whose opinion mattered most to me seemed suddenly distant.

The night continued; more drinks were poured, and someone brought out platters of hand pies and sliced apples. The initial focus on me gradually faded as other conversations took precedence—gossip about a merchant's scandal, speculation about winter preparations, the usual ebb and flow of a community winding down after a long day.

I found myself relaxing despite the nagging worry. These people—some friends, some merely friendly—had gathered to support me. To celebrate a victory they saw as clean andcomplete. I didn't have the heart to tell them that, in my experience, endings were rarely so tidy.

"You look like you need rescuing."

The voice at my ear startled me. I turned to find Uldrek standing behind me, his presence suddenly filling the space I'd been so acutely aware of him not occupying.

"Do I?" I asked, unable to keep a note of relief from my voice.

His smile was crooked, almost apologetic. "You've got that pinched look between your eyebrows."

I laughed softly. "That obvious?"

"Only to me." He settled onto the bench beside me, his thigh pressing against mine.

"Where've you been?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

Uldrek's expression shifted, something I couldn't quite read passing over his features. "Around. Thok wanted to talk about some guard rotations. And the crew from the eastern post had questions about..." He trailed off, shrugging. "Just catching up."

It was a reasonable answer. Normal. And yet, it felt like there was more he wasn't saying.

"Everything all right?" I asked carefully.

His smile returned, quick and reassuring. "Course it is. We won, didn't we?"

Before I could probe further, Fira leaned across the table. "Are you two done making eyes at each other? Because some of us are trying to drink in peace."

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