Page 42 of Deadwood
Paxon picked up the mallet lying in the lawn. “We’ll teach you.”
Lander handed me one of the ones he held as Paxon began explaining the rules of the game. Once I’d figured out the basics of what the goal was, we fell into an easy routine, yet I could tell Lander was bored. He took his time whenever it was his turn to make a shot, often checking out of whatever topic Paxon was going on about.
“So, Auria,” Paxon began after tapping the ball through one of the hoops. “Have you been enjoying your time outside of Amosite so far?”
Lander took his turn, adjusting his hands on the stick as he slumped his shoulders.
“It’s been more than I expected,” I replied. The incident in Sulphur had taken me by surprise, though I should have guessed not everyone would be particularly happy seeing King Tenere’s daughter.
“So my brother has let on. Torbernite has been much calmer than your time in Sulphur, though, no?” he asked.
“It has. So far, at least,” I answered, plopping the end of the wooden stick in the plush grass.
“And you’re looking forward to the Lunae Festival?” Paxon questioned.
“Do you ever stop asking questions?” Lander piped in after hitting the ball.
Paxon slowly moved his gaze to him. In the bright sun, his deep brown eyes seemed to darken. Perhaps they reflected his mood. “Problem, brother?”
Lander propped both hands on top of his mallet, leaning into it. “The entire game, all you’ve done is yap your mouth.”
“Just helping you get to know your fiancée,” Paxon replied innocently.
Lander’s fingers flexed. “I know Auria just fine.”
Paxon looked to me. “Is that true?”
“I-I suppose. We’ve had quite a bit of time to talk during the days of travel.” Lander and I didn’t know each other much past surface level, but we were content with that. This was only a friendship, after all. His brother wasn’t aware of that, though.
“What’s her favorite food, then?” Paxon asked, peppering yet another question.
Lander dropped the mallet in the lawn. “I’ve no time for this.”
Paxon tilted his head at him. “Better things to do than spend time with your soon-to-be wife?”
“We have different hobbies,” Lander bit out.
My grip on the mallet tightened. “You—” I shook my head, stopping myself before I could say something I might regret. “We don’t have to defend ourselves. Our relationship is none of your business.”
Amusement flitted into Paxon’s eyes. “No? My brother is marrying an absolute stranger, a daughter to a corrupt king, and it’s not my business to be sure he is well aware of the woman he is betrothed to?”
“That’s enough,” Lander barked.
My eyes narrowed on Paxon. If that’s how he wanted to play, fine. I’d play.
“That king supplies your kingdom with magics of all kinds, so I’d watch what you say.”
Paxon leveled his gaze on me. “And Torbernite provides yours with weapons.” He took two steps closer, swinging the mallet in his grip casually. “How weak a kingdom is without a means to protect itself.”
Tension rang through the air between us, so thick not even a bird could flit its wings in it. It nearly sucked the air from my lungs and shoved me back a few steps, but I held firm. He was trying to intimidate me, to make me bow down and tell him everything he was digging to find out. I wouldn’t be fooled by the superficial questions, only to be taken off guard by something that could ruin me later.
In the span of a breath, Lander was standing in front of me, shoving Paxon away. “Enough with the bullshit. Auria and I are leaving.”
Paxon picked a piece of lint off his jacket where Lander’s hand had made contact, then slung the mallet over his shoulder, sending me a wicked grin. “Enjoy the town. Lander may disappear after you pass the gambling hall, so be sure to stay safe on your own. People can be quite unpredictable the day before Exitium Lunae.”
The warning held true in his tone, but I ignored it as Lander and I turned our backs on him and walked, leaving our mallets in the grass. Two of the guards that had been standing post quickly caught up to us, flanking us as we went.
Paxon had played his cards well, but he hadn’t won the game.
