Page 51 of Of Blood and Banes
He answers, “Yes. It’s only fair, considering you could have just asked me about it rather thanstealingfrom me.”
I clench my teeth. “Do you truly blame me for not trusting you when you’re not entirely forthcoming with your information? That, and you’re also not the most approachable person to ask questions.”
“You know, in thirty years from now when you’re my age, you might not be the most approachable, either.”
Daeja growls, and he turns to look at her through the window over his shoulder, before he turns back to me. “If you read the book, then you know you hold the upper hand here. With your ring, you can easily break our pact at any point. I have nothing to gain to break it and everything to lose.”
“Like A’nala…”Daeja murmurs.
Though, I think A’nala is just the beginning of what he’s referring to.“Are you really able to hear all of this through the window?”
She snorts, her breath fogging the glass in a cloud before it dissipates.
Sethan continues, “I’ll do the best I can to gain your trust, but you need to give me the chance. Can you at least do that?”
As if delivering the book wasn’t enough of an example? I watch him, debating the best answer, before I finally mutter, “I can try.”
“Then that’s the most I can ask for.”
“I have one request.”
“Name it,” he mumbles warily.
“The curfew doesn’t apply to me.”
Cole doesn’t show up to dinner at the community hall later that evening. After everyone finishes their meals, we all return to our rooms and settle in for the night. Melaina and Archie assist me in securing Darian’s chains to the hooks in the far wall of the room. Darian looks ready to snap at Archie’s hand as he sheepishly tugs to double-check the strength of the hooks. Archie squeezes my shoulder as he and Melaina leave the room.
I change out of my day clothes into a nightgown, blow out the wall sconce candles, and shuffle into bed. I drift off into sleep fora short amount of time before I wake to a soft knock. My eyes flutter open, and I scan the wall where Darian’s chained up. His eyes flash open, meeting mine in the darkness. Another set of knocks.
“Well, I’m not going to get it,” he grumbles.
I nervously slip out of bed, bringing a dagger with me to the door. A knock this late at night can’t be anything good.
When I part the door open, I release a breath and open it more.Does anybody know what a godsdamn curfew is?“What are you doing here?”
Marge presses a finger to her lips. She beckons me out with an urgent flick of her hand. I gesture down to my nightgown, and she spins her hand in circles to spur me into action. When I open the door wider to allow her in, she shakes her head. Closing the door slightly, I return to the dresser, pull out day clothes, and turn my back to Darian as I remove my nightgown.
“Mmm,” he purrs thickly, clearly enjoying the sight.
I ignore him, shuffling quickly into my pants and pulling a long sleeve on before grabbing a cloak.
“Wherevercould you be going so late in the night?” Darian’s tilted voice mocks in innocent curiosity.
I seize my boots, pulling them onto my legs.
“Late night rendezvous? Scandalous thing, you,” he taunts again.
“Careful. I might actually think you’re jealous,” I whisper as I shut the door behind me.
“Wait—” he calls but is cut off once I secure the door closed.
Marge leads me through the town, slinking through the shadows and sliding against the walls through alleyways. The silhouette of the forest appears off in the distance as we get near the outskirts of Midkeep.
I whisper, “Where are you taking me?—”
“What are you doing out? It’s past curfew. Get back to your beds,” someone commands from behind us.
We turn, facing the direction of the voice. Two men with metal tipped spears scan us. One of them lowers their spears, pointing it directly at us. Marge’s eyebrows quirk up, before settling down above her eyes in intimidation. I pity the man who dares to challenge Marge—her expression alone would scare the boots off someone.
