Page 187 of Silverbow
“Only the gifted can claim sanctuary.”
“She is gifted.”
The High Lord of Pavia huffed with amusement. “And what is her gift?”
“Perhaps if we’re lucky, she might demonstrate,” Oryn muttered.
Leon hid his smirk in his stonebrew.
“I confess, I don’t really care,” Ralenet sighed. He turned to Oryn. “What do you want for her?”
Oryn’s anger was almost swallowed up by his disbelief.He thinks he can buy her? From me?He turned on his heel and stalked off before he could throttle Peytar Ralenet and violate the treaties that held the tenuous peace in place between Tuminzar and Estryia.
When Orimum released Enya into the waiting arms of one of his kin, the sound of her laugh chased him to where his companions stood amongst the columns. He watched her be swept into dance after dance. Enya leaned into the attention and flattery, never once darting a look his way, even if half of Drozia was watching him to see what he’d do.
A horde of Leon’s advisors descended upon him, asking about conditions in Durelli. He let Colm do most of the talking, nodding when it was expected of him. Enya finally managed to disentangle herself from a gaggle of dwarves. As she strode toward the front doors, she plucked a bottle of wine from a table and tucked it into the crook of her elbow. He excused himself abruptly and trailed after her, stepping out into the night.
Gods above.
He threw out a wall of air as she swung her bare feet over the wall to dangle into open air.
“Do you like flirting with death?” He hissed, sliding onto the stone next to her.
“It has a certain allure,” she answered, gazing out at the black valley below them.
Oryn settled beside her and asked the question he feared. “And Ralenet?”
She pursed her lips. “Even less alluring than a Covwood witch.”
He hadn’t really thought she would consider his offer, but relief seeped through him all the same. “You didn’t seem surprised. You knew that was what he wanted?”
She swigged from the bottle and nodded. “I’ve been mulling it over.”
“And Renley?”
She sighed as she wriggled her toes, red and angry from the discarded shoes. “A good queen’s man, Renley Ryerson.”
Oryn had known all along that Lord Ryerson was different than most, but the depth of the man’s devotion and sacrifice was admirable. It was a shame to leave him to rot in Estryia, but telling her that wasn’t likely to help.
She tipped her head back, gazing up at the stars. “Tell me a story, Oryn.”
Where’s Colm when I bloody need him?He cast around, looking for something to say. He pointed at the night sky. “Nimala’s horn-”
“Not about them. About you.”
He blinked in surprise. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Bade’s shadow slinking between the columns, illuminated by the golden light spilling from the windows. “Only twice have I ever slipped my royal guard.”
She looked at him expectantly.
“Once, on a night like this. I was no older than Dozmac. Lerrick was entertaining the Durelli Merchant’s Council. I snuck out of the Great Hall and made a run for it.”
“Did you not like Drozia?” She asked.
“I loved Drozia. Lerrick was always kind to me, but I wanted to gohome. Even if I had never really known it.”
Enya hummed as she took another swig. “And did you get there?”
“Gods, no. I didn’t even come close. I ended up lost in the high peaks for a week. An early blizzard blew in, dropped heaps of snow. I had to shelter in a cave. Not even Colm or Bade could find me.”
