Page 77 of Godsbane
Kieran reaches a tanned hand under the hood and runs his fingers through his tangled mess of wavy, auburn hair.
“Yeah, Ivy, I am. Believe it or not.”
There’s a pain in his voice that isn’t normally present. He’s unkempt, uncomfortable … un-Kieran.
“You’re the heir to the Ruby Region. Of course you’re special,” I scoff.
“No. I’m special because my mother made me so. Just like yours made you.”
Kieran tugs down the collar of his tunic exposing a small crescent-shaped birthmark just under his collarbone before lifting his tankard again. My composure slips at his revelation.
“Take another drink, Ivy. People are watching.”
I lift the ale to my lips with shaky hands and force myself to take deep gulps of the hoppy liquid as I try to think. Kieran isaevus.Kieran is at the very least part-god, at the most, fully a god.
“We’re on the same team,” he says.
I don’t trust him, but when I next meet his eyes over the rim of the tankard, my magic finds truth in them. He’s not my enemy—not this time.
The door to the tavern swings open, and I know it’s Cal before I even see the figure step through the threshold. His large frame blocks out the flickering light from the torches that line the village streets. The hood of his cloak covers his face entirely, but a hush falls over the patrons nevertheless at the menacing sight of the man in black. The magic in my blood sings in his presence as he lowers the hood and steps towards us.
“Holy gods,” Kieran mutters, eyes going wide. “I sensed your power before, Ivy, but now …”
“Now what?” I ask cautiously.
“It surged when he walked in. It wasn’t like it was at the ball.”
Cal pulls out the chair beside me, his knee brushing against mine as he sits.
“Does she know?” Kieran locks eyes with Cal, his face a mixture of hesitance and hope.
“There was kind of a lot to cover, Rollins. I didn’t exactly get through everything.” Cal chuckles and lifts my tankard of ale to his lips.
“Anyone want to clue me in on whatever it is you two are discussing?” I ask, annoyance lacing my every word.
“Ivy,” Kieran starts, “before I say this, I need to remind you that there is a tavern full of people whose eyes are still on this table.”
I feel Cal stiffen beside me, his broad shoulders squaring to appear larger. A quick glance around the room confirms Kieran’s statement. All around us, patrons are pretending to sip on theirdrinks as if they aren’t sitting on pins and needles waiting to see if the fabled captain will bring trouble to their doorsteps.
“Go on,” I urge.
“Meet your newest travel companion. I’ll be with you two the rest of the way to Amale.”
I cut my eyes to Cal. There was plenty of time for him to warn me and yet he didn’t, though this was a surefire way to make sure I couldn’t stab Kieran. The dark purple bruising on the heir’s face is another clue that we must need him alive. Cal would have killed him already otherwise.
“I am armed at all times, even in my sleep. And what I’m capable of wielding is even more deadly than a blade. Do not fuck with me, Kieran.”
I let the magic in my veins come up to the surface. I can’t call to it here, but if he really can sense it as he claims, I want him to know that my threat is serious.
“He’s not stupid enough to do that again. Are you, Rollins?”
Kieran meets Cal’s challenging stare for only a moment before he swallows thickly. From the corner of my eye, I can see the corded muscle in the captain’s forearm twitch. He’s using his power on him again.
“That’s enough of that, boys.” I say flatly. Both men turn to face me, the air between them growing less tense as Cal’s magic retreats. “From this point on, I am in charge. You will do what I say. Both of you.”
Cal lets out an involuntary grunt, clearly pleased at the idea of being ordered around by me. Gray fire burns in his eyes as they boil the blood in my veins, the serpent on my skin slithering to life at the promise of his magic.
“Only if you two cut that shit out.” Kieran rises swiftly and throws back the remaining ale before slamming the tankard on the wooden table. “I’ll see you at sunrise.”
