Page 70 of Deadwood
“I wouldn’t be so quick to jump to her defense,” Paxon said from down the table. I didn’t need to glance his way to know he had distaste in his gaze. It was polar opposite from what I saw in Bowen.
Bowen regarded him, a bored look on his face. “Because you won’t?”
My mouth parted slightly at the shock from his response. Across the table, Siara and Flynt watched with rapt attention while Raiden sat with his arms folded across his chest, a subtle shake to his head as he watched his leader. Though he was casual in the way he was seated, it was clear he was ready to jump in if needed.
“Because she’s gotten men killed for less,” Paxon said without hesitation.
My fork fell from my hand to the plate in a clatter, my eyes fixating on the ceramic in front of me as my mind threatened to be pulled back to that day. My father had told Paxon about my past? After he’d been so careful to keep me hidden away, along with my secrets, for so long? He not only controlled my present and my future, but held my past in his hands and did whatever he pleased with it.
I wished it was anger I felt, but instead, it was embarrassment.
Bowen gave no reaction, as I assumed Paxon expected him to ask for clarification. For some reason, Bowen didn’t. He simply grabbed his napkin from his lap and set it atop the table.
A man came out from the kitchen and grabbed the plates, retreating back through the door with them. I’d barely had a few bites the entire meal, my appetite nonexistent tonight.
“We appreciate the hospitality your people have shown us, but we’ll be leaving in the morning,” Paxon stated, moving on from the topic when he didn’t get the reaction he was clearly seeking.
Bowen leaned back in his chair, leaning an elbow on the armrest. “Oh?”
“Torbernite will be much safer for the newly engaged couple,” Paxon explained.
“I didn’t know you called the shots,” Flynt spoke up.
Paxon lazily looked to Flynt, letting out an annoyed breath. “I’m here for the best interest of Lander and Auria.”
“The best interest of Auria, yet you just insulted her,” Siara muttered.
My gaze shot to hers. Was shedefendingme?
Paxon didn’t bother acknowledging her. “I may have spoken out of line. Regardless, we will be leaving at first light.”
He knew just as well as the rest of us that he’d said it for a reason. He didn’t regret the words passing his lips one bit.
“Not a good idea,” Flynt said. “The storm is only getting worse, and even if it breezes over down here, it’ll stick to the mountain pass. I’m sure there’s more than a dozen feet of snow up there at least, and it’s only dumping more.”
“I agree with him,” Lander piped in. “It’ll be too dangerous to try to get back over the Brimstones. Plus, the guards haven’t had any time to recover yet.”
Paxon eyed his brother with something akin to disgust for not agreeing with him. “I’d send a team back to get them when we arrive in Torbernite.”
“You wouldn’t take your own guards?” Siara asked, her tone incredulous.
“It’s easier to travel in a smaller group,” Paxon answered.
“I won’t go,” I spoke up. “I’m not leaving anyone behind. We can wait the storm out.” That, and I didn’t think we’d survive if we were ambushed again.
Paxon tried to keep his mask of calm in place as he stared at me, but I saw the crack in his façade. He didn’t want me to have a say in the decision.
“I’m with Auria on this one,” Lander agreed.
I glanced at Bowen to find him watching me, but once silence rang through the room, he finally spoke. “Now that that’s over with. In regards to the storm, you’ll all need to cover your nose and mouth if you go out in it. With the wind kicking up so much sand and dirt, there could be magic in the air, and you don’t want that entering your body if you don’t know what it is.”
Paxon scoffed. “Surely it won’t do much damage.”
Bowen’s lips lifted with the slightest amusement. “You may not get the kind of storms we do, but I can assure you that the magic will poison your lungs, and it’s a long, painful recovery if it does.” He sat back in his chair with the flick of a hand. “But by all means, Bular, feel free to go against my advice.”
Paxon’s teeth ground together, indicating he was pissed at the way Bowen was talking to him. I had to admit that I felt a bit of satisfaction at the way Bowen put him in his place with only his words. It served Paxon right for thinking he called the shots. He wasn’t untouchable.
“Right.” Paxon’s lips pressed together, his nostrils flaring the slightest bit. “Well, if there is nothing else, we will return to our homes.” Every word was stiff, forced through gritted teeth. He was at his end with the conversation, holding himself back from blowing his mask clean off.
