Page 247 of Sword & Shadow
Deckard chuckled lightly. “It’s only for a time. They’ll take us to the Alliance, then we’ll restock, finalize our plans, and head back to Ephria. There’s a chance we’ll never see them again.”
“I’m not so sure,” he muttered sourly. “The winds of change are about. And I’m not just talking about Isla’s magic.”
“Whatareyou talking about, then?”
His silver eyes narrowed, still flicking around the camp. “I’ve told you—I see things others don’t. And I’ve been watching all day.”
“What is it you’ve seen?”
“Auden is acting strangely.”
Deckard felt his brow pinch together. “How so?”
Rafferty opened his mouth to speak, but their attention was diverted as Evylin joined them. She’d tied her hair back in a braid again, the plait draped over her shoulder. Her lips were tipped up in an amused smile. “What’s this about?” she asked, brushing a finger along the crease between Deckard’s brows.
Deckard forced his expression to relax. “Nothing. Rafferty’s just being paranoid.”
“I’m not paranoid,” Rafferty insisted. “I’m onto something.”
Evylin slapped the man’s shoulder gently. “Well, go be onto something elsewhere. I want to sit there.”
With a huff, the weasel grumbled his way to the nearby patch of ground. “Couples are insufferable.”
“Don’t sulk,” Evylin said, taking his abandoned seat. “I’ll listen to your theory if you’d care to share it.”
“It isn’t a theory. It’s an observation.”
“What have you observed, then?” she asked, her hand resting half on Deckard’s on the log between them. She angled her legs, blocking their hands from view. He spread his fingers so hers would fall into the space left behind. Her thumb traced circles along the back of his hand.
Rafferty’s constantly moving gaze drifted around the camp. He leaned toward them, voice low. “The thing is, Auden’s been acting off. At first, I thought it might have to do with that viastasis stuff. But Ilain’s behaving perfectly normal—even if she is brazenly flirting with Loxley instead of Thommy.”
“What about Auden’s behavior seems off to you?” Deckard asked. He flipped his hand, properly interlocking their fingers. “I haven’t noticed anything.”
“Me neither,” Evylin agreed. Her grip loosened on Deckard’s, her fingers slowly teasing through his. He’d never known how potently seductive holding hands could be until that very moment.
Rafferty raised his white-blond brows. “How could you not? He isn’t talking to us. At least, not the way he used to. The Calders have always been friendly, but now, Auden is practically ignoring us.”
Deckard considered the assessment. He supposed it was true. Ever since they’d left Renaul’s, Auden had said little, and what he had said had been directed toward the Alliance members. The change in his demeanor hadn’t given Deckard pause because the Mage was naturally reserved, and they were all tired. He had assumed that any oddity stemmed from the exhaustion.
But now that he considered it, Auden had given them all wary glares and abrupt replies since they’d left the catacombs.
“Still,” Deckard said, wanting to give the highlord the benefit of the doubt. He angled his hand to press against Evylin’s thigh. “We’ve been through quite an ordeal. He and his sister experienced the worst of us all. There’s a chance he just needs a good night’s sleep.”
“Would you believe me if he were glaring at us now?” Rafferty asked.
Evylin rolled her eyes, casually glancing toward the camp. “He’s right,” she said quietly. Her fingers shifted, playing with his wedding band. “Auden looked away right after I caught him.”
“Could he tell you were checking?” Deckard asked, rubbing his finger along the side of her leg.
Her eyes were dusky as she held his gaze. “I don’t think so.”
“What are you doing?” Rafferty asked, frowning at them.
Deckard and Evylin turned to him, the movements of their hands going still.
“What are you talking about?” Evylin asked.
Rafferty quirked his brow. His chin jerked in their direction. “Your hands. They’re rather active.”
