Page 83 of The Courting of Bristol Keats
Melizan cleared her throat and angled her head toward Cosette. “A thank-you might be in order.”
Thank Cosette. He knew he needed to, but it pained him. He had a deep-seated distrust of all things Fomorian. The early Fomorian sea gods were the ones who brought merkind with them to Elphame. And Cosette was still a suspect in Cael’s disappearance.
“You took a chance, creeping up like that,” he said instead, once again the hard-nosed commander. “He might have seen you.”
Cosette grinned. “I calculated the risk, costs, and my skills. Trust me, Your Majesty, very little chance was involved. And looking at the outcome, I’d say I judged wisely.” She eyed his bandaged hand and bloody trouser leg. “But I suppose you did your small part too. More or less. You were a useful distraction.”
A win for Cosette. “Well done,” he conceded, knowing she was right. “Thank you.”
Cosette and Melizan paused and exchanged a glance.
“Something else on your mind?” he asked.
Cosette pursed her lips. “We’re suspicious. Keats managed to make it to the end of the maze. She almost made it out.” She explained that when she and Melizan were fighting above the south end of the maze, there was a moment when she had a clear view below her. “Keats was running, practically dragging Rose at her side, but she hit every turn on cue like she had it memorized. How would you explain that?”
Tyghan couldn’t explain it. “Maybe Rose—”
“No,” Cosette replied decisively. “It was all Keats.”
“No one coached her ahead of time, if that’s what you’re implying,” Kasta countered.
Cosette’s jade eyes narrowed. “Cool your claws, Kasta. We’re only wondering if you checked her for ticks when you brought her here.”
“No. And I don’t need a first-year officer checking up on me. She was on the horse with me the whole time when we went through the forest, and when Dalagorn shot the pods into the shadows, we were well clear.”
“We’re not wondering about ones she might have acquired in the Wilds,” Melizan clarified. “We mean before that. In the mortal world. A tick that was purposely placed there.”
“That’s impossible,” Quin rumbled. “In the mortal world? How would—”
Melizan’s brows rose. “It’s not inconceivable, considering.”
They were all quiet, stunned by the possibility.
Considering.
Considering who her parents were.
Bristol was well down the footpath with Avery and Hollis, all of them eager to check on Rose and the other recruits, when Kasta called to her, telling her to wait up. She was flanked by Tyghan and Quin, with several officers following on their heels. Their demeanors were solemn, and their steps driven like a new battle was just beginning.
“That looks ominous,” Avery said as they approached.
Bristol sighed. “I disobeyed orders by going into the maze, and you know how they are about orders.”
“But you saved Rose,” Hollis argued.
The group stopped a few feet away.
“You two can go on your way,” Tyghan said. “We need to talk to Keats alone.”
Avery and Hollis didn’t move. “It’s all right,” Bristol told them. “I’ll be along.” She hoped.
“Call if you need us. I’ll hear,” Hollis said before they left, like she was leaving Bristol with a pack of wolves.
“You seem well recovered from your injuries,” Melizan said once the others were gone.
Bristol was sure they weren’t checking up on her neck. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Kasta edged forward. “Nothing is wrong exactly, but—”
