Page 27 of House of Embers
“I’m sorry,” she said as she melted against him.
“The only benefit was that I snapped at Prescott, who tried to stop me too. I didn’t want to do it, but hopefully it is the start to getting him in with Barron.”
“I hate Barron.”
His arms came around her back. “I feel the same. But mostly I wanted to be out there to keep you safe. Thank the gods that Wynter was there and could see what you were about to do.”
Kerrigan nodded. “So when will we train? We don’t exactly have spare time around here.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he said as if her acquiescence appeased him. “Now, this interrogation. Shall we begin?”
“You’re speaking my language.”
He matched her grin and opened the door.
Wynter made a face at their appearance. “Are you done already? That was quick.” Her expression was deadpan when she looked at Kerrigan. “I apologize for my brother.”
Delle snorted and turned her face down to cover it.
Fordham narrowed his eyes. “I take offense at this.”
“Don’t worry,” Kerrigan said with a wink. “I have no qualms with his stamina.”
“Please stop talking as if I’m not here.”
Kerrigan nudged Wynter. “How are you finding Dozan’s stamina?”
Wynter’s face went blank. “You would know, wouldn’t you?”
Fordham bared his teeth at his sister at the insinuation.
“That was alongtime ago,” Kerrigan said. “He’s not one to wait though, so…”
“Another point of conversation,” Wynter said blandly.
“Interrogation instead?” Kerrigan asked.
“Anything but this topic,” Fordham said to the ceiling.
He nodded at Delle, who promptly yanked the door open with a pointed “Your Majesty.”
“Not a word,” he said as he stepped into the darkened room.
Kerrigan tossed a ball of light into the room to illuminate the dark space. She was surprised that Gerrond hadn’t done so until she saw the magic-dampening manacles around his wrists. She winced at the sight. She’d had her magic completely taken away from her, and she would always hate anything that could do it again.
Wynter slid into the seat across from him, a knife in her hand, a twisted smile on her face. “So, Gerrond, is it?”
He eyed her knife skeptically. “This is all a huge mistake.”
“So your dragon said,” Kerrigan said.
Fordham leaned against an opposing wall and watched with catlike eyes and grace. “Tell us what you were doing here.”
“Looking for her,” Gerrond said, gesturing with both hands toward Kerrigan.
Kerrigan frowned. “Me? I thought you said it was a misunderstanding.”
“Itwas,” he insisted. “The Society sent out a call to arms to locate you, and I answered it.”
