Page 107 of Silverbow
“What a delightful little pet she is, Oryn. Well worth the trek, I think,” Hylee smiled.
Please don’t…
“You should ask your prince, girl. He would know.”
The laugh Enya barked held no mirth. Oryn could feel her eyes on his face from where she stood behind his outstretched arm, but they had more pressing problems than a century old bargain.
“Leave her alone,” he hissed. “She wants nothing of what you have to offer.”
Hylee feigned a pout. “I came to help. Aren’t you just the teensiest bit curious about what I have to show her? I came all this way, after all.”
Oryn caught her as Enya tried to duck below his arm.
“I am.”
“Enya,” he warned.
“Someone really ought to tell her,” Hylee sighed.
“Tell me what?”
Would the blasted girl stop moving?Oryn shifted again, trying to herd her back.
Hylee wagged a finger at Colm and tsked. “Keeping secrets again, Dreamwalker?”
A tick of his jaw was Colm’s only answer. He bloody knew what this was about.
“Has he told you what a brilliant little ribbon she has in Valdosonos? It would be such a shame for someone to snip it.” His gifts pulsed at the threat. Hylee inhaled, letting her eyes flutter closed as her shadows rippled out toward them. “The gods really do favor her, don’t they?” She mused. “Her blood sings like a siren’s song. A song I’ve not heard in an age.” A shadow curled up to Hylee’s ear and she tilted her head, listening to what it whispered. A broad smile spread across her face. “A song that calls to many, hmm? A little trouble in Ested?”
“What do you know of the demondread?” He asked.
“What’s it worth to you?”
Oryn clamped his jaw firmly shut. He would make no more bargains with the black blooded witches. Hylee laughed, sensing his conflict. She’d probably been the one to make the demondread.
The witch suddenly vanished in a swirl of shadows. He wheeled to find her standing behind Enya, her fingers splayed around the girl’s shoulders. Her violet eyes fixed on Oryn as she leaned close to Enya’s ear.
“Intoxicating, isn’t it, Princeling?” Oryn wanted to wipe the knowing smile off her face. “Is the resonance driving you mad? Ask me what it is and I’ll tell you. For a price.”
Enya’s eyes dropped to the nails curled around her shoulders. She swallowed audibly, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.
“Relax, Princeling. I won’t hurt her. Not yet, anyway. Not if she makes me a bargain.”
Oryn saw red, his knuckles going white on his sword hilt.
“But I have to admit, she had so many names, I’m not sure who I’m bargaining with. Silverbow. Innesh’s Arrow. Witch’s Mercy.” Enya frowned at the last. “Ah. That’s right, you didn’t know. That was no village healer, girl. That was one of my sisters you put an arrow through.”
Enya blanched. “I-I’m sorry.”
Hylee clicked her tongue. “Magda always was a fool. Got herself kicked out of Covwood for a man with a pretty face. But she was one of us.” The witch waved a hand, dismissing it.
“I-I didn’t know,” she stammered.
Hylee gave Oryn a wink. “Oh, I know. There is much I can tell you, Silverbow.”
“Don’t Enya,” Oryn warned. “The price is too high.”
“You had your questions answered, Princeling. Let the girl have hers.” A growl rose in Oryn’s throat. “Such little gratitude. I gave you everything I could. It’s clearer now than it was then if you want another round.”
