Page 20 of Brighter Than Gold

Reyah simply shook her head, not wanting to face me. Minutes later, another chill sent her muscles shuddering.

I rolled my eyes and cursed the Gods silently. “Push over,” I commanded.

Reyah turned and stood her ground stubbornly. “I’m not cold,” she argued.

“This is probably the least violent thing I’m going to have to do to save your life,” I uttered sarcastically.

She hesitated just long enough for another chill to wrack through her. With a huff she inched over, keeping her back to me.

I lowered myself to the ground and tucked in under the blanket with her.

After only a few minutes I could feel her tense muscles relax. She peeked over her shoulder. I lay on my back with an arm tucked behind my head, trying to stay simultaneously as far from her as I could, and as close to her as she needed me to be. It was edging on one of the most awkward nights of my life, and I’d had some very questionable evenings.

“You can roll over, I’m not going to bite,” I said, when she peeked over her shoulder again.

Reyah ground her teeth hesitating, but eventually rolled over. I didn’t move. I watched the rippling waves of the canvas sheet above us and tried to ignore the small woman tucked against me.

“Lazio knows I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

“What?” Alarmed, I turned to face her. Reyah didn’t bother opening her eyes.

“There were enough clues that he put it together.”

“Fuck.”

She didn’t speak again. I listened as her breathing grew longer and drawn out, felt her body beneath the blanket relax with sleep and warmth. I doubted I would sleep. Not with the fresh memories of the tannery stirring in my mind. Not after the surge of adrenaline from the fight. Despite that, I closed my eyes and listened to the men celebrate their appalling victory around the fire.

But I did sleep. I fell into a thick fog where dreams and memories wound together. Where I couldn’t tell fact from fiction. Fighting and killing and raping, a sickening rush of fear and blood lust. The images started to mix and blur, and I couldn’t make sense of what I was seeing until a man launched towards me through the air, fury and rage across his face as he plunged his weapon into my chest.

My eyes flashed open. I took a deep breath, finding myself under the small canvas tent. I tried to move, but my arm was solidly braced down. Reyah, in her sleep had curled into me, some of her dark black curls resting over my chest.

It stunned me that I didn’t for an instant feel bad, or strange, or uncomfortable anymore. It wasn’t possible to feel any of those things when such utter peace and trust was cradled in my arm. I could tell what Burke had been drawn to; she was pretty, and feminine, and soft. I’d admitted as much to myself the very first time I saw her in the market.

I swallowed uncomfortably at having my friend’s wife tucked in so close. I’d never imagined him being with anyone but Julienne, but now this raven-haired wild-card that rested so quietly beside me was bound to him. And being his wife, I was now bound to her, too.

It was another half hour before she woke, the voices of the men outside jolting her awake.

Reyah blinked, reorienting herself, a flash of mild concern crossed her face as she discovered herself pushed so tightly into me.

“Good morning.”

Reyah sat up yawning and nodded. “I’m so glad I didn’t vomit on you,” she stated dryly.

I went wide-eyed. “You’re not feeling…”

“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m sorry if I…”

“I’m glad you were warm,” I replied, saving us both from anymore awkwardness. I sat up, and under the low arc of the tent, was forced uncomfortably close to her. “I’ll see if I can scrounge something for you to eat,” I said, lifting the canvas flap open.

“Wait, here.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the ring that one of the Rats had taken from me back at the inn. “Lazio gave this back last night.”

“Right…” I took the ring and slid it onto my finger. There was another uncomfortable silence between us as we were reminded of the ruse we were forced to play. I cleared my throat. “Breakfast,” I uttered, and left the tent.

Chapter5

Reyah

Cloven Bay, a sign read as Callan, myself, and the rest of the Rats rode into a village. I’d never heard of the place, but I was highly relieved to find it was well populated. Children played in the streets, and along the cobblestone risers that led to different little shop fronts, each painted a charming bright colour. We passed a butcher shop where a line of ladies waited patiently chatting, their baskets already half filled with whatever was going to be prepared for that night’s supper. If the town was this affluent and respectable, then surely we would be able to spot officers patrolling the streets.

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