Page 73 of Silverbow
True to his word, Aiden didn’t relent. As they sat around their fire each evening, he found new things to prod at, and returned to the ones that seemed to get the most rise out of her. It had become clear early on that her family was hallowed ground, and any mention of them cast her into a heavy silence. But the topic of her suitors was one she would rise for, even after a long day in the saddle. Oryn found himself half listening even as he tried to ignore it.
“There’s really no poor sap waiting for you back in Westforks?” She huffed as she wrapped her arms around her shins, drawing her knees to her chest. “What about those husbands your father mentioned when we stopped by?”
She glared daggers at him. “I have no use for a husband.”
Aiden gave her a lopsided grin. “Oh, they’ve plenty of uses.”
“Really? Beyond inheritance law, I’m not sure I can think of a single one. And it doesn’t seem like I have to worry about that now.”
“I’m sure I could help you come up with a few others.”
She eyed him with cool indifference. “I seriously doubt there’s anything you could do that I couldn’t do better.”
“Is that a challenge, Silverbow?”
She snorted.
“Did a stable boy leave you wanting after a roll in the hay? Is that the problem?” He prodded.
“Don’t answer that,” Colm said sharply, turning a warning look on Aiden.
The girl arched a brow, not a trace of embarrassment to be found. “No.”
“So it’s murder then.”
Lines of confusion etched her forehead. “What?”
“Lord Ryerson’s crime,” he grinned. “I think we’ve finally solved the mystery.”
She laughed and rested her chin atop her knees. “No, that’s not it.”
“Oh! Is it unrequited love that has so jaded the young Lady Silverbow?” Aiden asked. “Did some farmer’s daughter steal away your stable boy?”
“No.” Her gaze took on a faraway look. “The wielders did.”
The amusement guttered out of Aiden’s eyes. Oryn kept his gaze trained on the flame and vaguely wondered where the poor boy was now.
Colm sat forward, his brow furrowed. “Was he a spirit wielder?”
Her head whipped up in surprise. “How did you know?”
“Just something I saw in a dream,” he mused.
Aiden seemed to recover himself and gave her a wink. “Well, the offer’s open.”
She rolled her eyes. “If I see a damsel reeking of desperation, I’ll be sure to let her know.”
When Colm pressed his hand to her forehead that night to let the dream ward settle, he whispered, “If Aiden’s teasing bothers you-”
“It’s fine,” she said quickly. “I like the distraction.”
That made one of them.
***
Oryn pulled his shirt around his shoulders as Aiden took his turn to spar, keenly aware of the girl’s eyes boring into his back. He left the coat. It was growing warmer with each passing day, and the air over Berdea Plain was thick and heavy. Every morning they sparred, she would ask. Every time she asked, he would refuse, but still-
“Will you teach me?”
