Page 80 of Forged By Heart and Claws
Kaylen opened her mouth, but Briar cut her off with a look so sharp it might have well been a dagger. “And you? You’d better prove your loyalty fast. Because if you’re not forthcoming with us, I won’t stop Silus next time.”
And there was that edge that made her fecking sexy.
The room went quiet except for the slow drip of water from the corner sink and the low hiss of burning oil.
“Well said.” Elara crossed the room, her limp pronounced but her posture regal. She turned her cool gaze to Kaylen and Siray. “I’ll give you one chance to behave as guests. Otherwise, there will be consequences.”
It was all the others needed to hear. Quen exhaled through her nose, looking not quite appeased but willing to let it go for now. Rhielle stepped back. Myantha offered Briar a small, grateful smile.
Rhielle rushed to Briar first, throwing her arms around her with a relieved gasp. Quen followed next, muttering something about “Stupid girl” and “Don’t ever vanish like that again.” Even Veralt offered a nod of respect.
Thalen shut the heavy stone door behind us with a groan of effort. “Well, that was heartwarming. But I, for one, demand answers. You two look far less destroyed than we feared. I was preparing a eulogy.”
“It could’ve been far worse,” I muttered, glancing at Briar. Fear still coiled tight within me. Her wolf flickered faintly beneath her skin like a dying ember. Our bond had thinned into just a thread of gold where once it had roared like fire. I wrapped an arm around Briar’s shoulders and continued. “Briar needs food, and we have much to discuss.”
She gave me a tired smile, one corner of her mouth tilting upward. “You need food too.”
It would’ve been dramatic to say she was all I needed, but my stomach growled, betraying me.
She raised a brow. “I’m not eating unless you eat.”
“As you wish, beloved,” I murmured.
“You are so whipped.” Thalen laughed.
I cut my eyes at him. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed where your attention’s been focused lately. You aren't acting like it's just a fling.”
“Never said I couldn’t relate,” he shot back with a smirk. "And it definitely isn't a fling. But we do have actual food now. Not just soldier stew.”
Over the next few minutes, we settled into the chamber, gathering near the stacked crates that had been turned intomakeshift seating around a cracked oil basin. Elara and Vyraetos distributed bread, dried meat, hard cheese, salted nuts, seed cakes, and fortified wine. Vyraetos moved efficiently, checking on wounds and doling out medicine as needed.
I kept my focus on Briar, making sure she had enough food before I took my first bite. Her fingers trembled slightly as she broke off a piece of bread, and the fading strength of our bond echoed in my chest like a distant heartbeat.
Kaylen and Siray lingered in the middle of the room, most likely unsure of their place. Siray finally made an effort, offering to help Elara distribute supplies. Kaylen said nothing and stood there, tense with unease.
Good. She deserved everything that had happened to her for being greedy and power-hungry.
Vyraetos returned to his post, grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle, his expression unreadable.
Briar sat beside me on one crate, Rhielle standing behind her like a silent guard. Quen had taken a seat on Briar’s other side, her arms crossed and her foot tapping. Elias sat close to Quen, watching everything with a sleepy wariness.
Veralt stood behind Rhielle and gently rubbed her shoulders, his protective stance impossible to miss. Elara perched on my other side, with Silus beside her, the two of them speaking in low tones about the tunnels and patrols. Thalen and Myantha had wedged together on a crate nearby, Myantha resting her cheek on Thalen’s shoulder, his arm loosely wrapped around her waist. Siray paced behind the group, brow furrowed, while Kaylen finally took a seat opposite Briar, her hands plucking at the threads of her torn skirt.
I took another swig of the fortified wine. The aftertaste from the skin couldn’t quite hide the sharp tinge of herbs, but the wine settled the tension in my limbs, making me feel a little steadier. “All right. We don’t have much time. Captain Finbar ispreparing his forces for an attack on the Ceremonial Hall during Colm’s coronation. We need to be ready to reveal the truth. And to fight.”
Briar leaned forward, her attention on Kaylen. “You said you had information that could help us. Start talking.”
Kaylen let out a long breath and raised her chin. “Let me start by saying I never intended to be involved in any coup, and I never really did anything wrong?—”
“Fecking shut your mouth if all you’re going to do is spew lies,” Quen snapped and wrinkled her nose.
“Oh, please.” Rhielle rolled her eyes. “Don’t pretend you left your viciousness in the arena. You were probably the one who slit my throat.” Her hand brushed the scar on her neck.
Veralt tugged Rhielle back gently against him and pressed a kiss to her temple, but his eyes stayed locked on Kaylen.
Groaning, Kaylen pressed her face into her hands. “That wasn’t me. I don’t cut throats.”
“No,” Quen said. “You stab people in the back.”
