Page 36 of Deadwood
“So long as the fire keeps burning,” Lander said, and the rest of the circle quieted.
Paxon’s jaw pulsed, as if he was holding back some retort. “That’s what we have the guards for.”
“I’m only educating her,” Lander defended, sensing his brother’s growing irritation. I wasn’t familiar with sibling relationships, given I was an only child, but if Lander and Paxon were anything to go off of, I was glad for my situation. The bickering seemed nonstop between them.
Paxon’s hand flexed before he set it on his bent knee. “You’re to be her husband, not her teacher.”
Lander’s teeth ground together beside me, the sound apparent.
“I heard they aren’t actually getting married to rebuild peace,” one of the guards said.
Everyone’s attention jumped to him. He wore a green short-sleeved shirt with gray pants, having taken off his armor once we arrived. His light brown hair was greasy, sticking up in odd angles, evidence of our journey already taking a toll on our hygiene.
I sat forward, curious for him to go on. I knew as much about this marriage as the rest of them, so I’d take any information I could get—rumor or not.
Paxon’s narrowed eyes landed on the guard, but the man seemed oblivious.
“What’s the union for, then?” another guard asked, this one from Amosite. He took the question right from my mouth.
“Some s—” the first guard started, but was quickly cut off by Paxon’s hard tone.
“Is it your job to gossip?”
The guard rolled his eyes, as if Paxon was being dramatic. Truthfully, he was. “We’re just talking, Your Highness.”
“Chitchat is done for the night.” Paxon stood, straightening the cuffs of his jacket. “Finish your meals and return to your posts. As my brother so helpfully brought up, we’re the prey out here, lest you forget.”
The guard let out a sigh, a look of annoyance crossing his face. He didn’t say a word as Paxon retreated to his tent, leaving the rest of us to finish our bowls of bland food in silence.
As one of the other guards made a round to collect the empty bowls, Lander offered me a hand to help me stand. I took it, getting to my feet.
Lander shot me a sympathetic half-smile. “Ignore my brother. He tends to be a bit dramatic about things.”
“You don’t have to make excuses on his behalf. I think we’re all bound to get a little stir-crazy with the long days.”
He ran a hand through his mussed hair. “You’re probably right.”
I turned to head for my tent, Lander accompanying me on the short walk. “Do you think that guard knows something we don’t?” I asked.
Lander shrugged. “Maybe. They all gossip, though. Someone probably made up a rumor to stir up some drama, and now people are believing it. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” We stopped outside my tent, facing each other. “I wanted to ask, though. Are you enjoying seeing some of Serpentine so far?”
A genuine smile crept up on my face. “Enjoying it would be an understatement.” My eyes scanned the darkness surrounding the camp. “It’s so much more than I ever could have imagined. Wildflowers and colorful trees I would never have thought existed just…do. I can feel the sun and see the soft grass and smell the fresh soil.” I inhaled for emphasis, taking in the warm scent of the smoke from the fire and the earthy undertones that followed it as I looked at Lander again. “I never want to leave it.”
He offered a closed-lip smile in return, the corners looking sad. “I wish you never had to. Maybe your father will change his tune once we return unscathed.”
“Maybe,” I said, the thought of never seeing such beauty again threatening to bring me down. “But for now, I’ll enjoy it while I can.”
“That’s the spirit.” He inched away. “Sleep well, Auria. We have a long few days ahead of us. You’re going to need it.”
I reached for the flap of my tent, pulling it back. “You, too, Lander.”
Then I disappeared inside, making sure to refill the vial of fire magic that kept the lantern lit in the hopes it’d keep the monsters at bay.
For the physical ones, it’d work. But the ones that lived inside my head?
If only such was possible.
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