Page 84 of Sword & Shadow
“I suppose you could say that.”
“Hm.”
She let a few moments pass before adding, “I’ll have to choose one at the end of our mission, though.”
“Why?” Ethenn sounded almost worried.
“Because the Alliance highly values my abilities,” she said. “They’ve offered me an important position, and I want to accept it. But I can only take the job if I’m Bonded.”
From his conversation with Auden, Deckard surmised that the Alliance wanted Ilain to carry the Fire Relic after the war ended.
“Then,” Ethenn said, “you’d marry a Warrior even if you didn’t...”
“Love him?” Ilain said when he didn’t complete his question. “Yes, I would.”
Deckard heard the young man’s weapons jostle as he shifted uncomfortably.
Ilain continued as though oblivious. “I don’t have the luxury of romance,” she admitted. “Not if I want to be of use in this world. The good news is that Bonding produces love, so no matter who I marry, I will come to love him as he will come to love me.”
An expectant silence hung between them before Ethenn said, “I hope you’re wrong.”
A tight chuckle escaped her. “You hope I don’t fall in love with my husband?”
“I—” Ethenn broke off, shifting again. “I hope you don’t need to, that whoever you marry, you’ll love one anotherbeforethe wedding.”
When Ilain didn’t reply, Deckard grimaced internally. He’d known the young man liked the highlady, but he hadn’t realized how much.
At last, Ethenn added, “You deserve that.”
Then they’d both fallen silent for the rest of the time Deckard lay awake.
Now, in the early morning rain, Deckard understood Ilain’s request. The hours spent during their watches provided too much opportunity for individual connection. It allowed Ethenn too much time to deepen his affection for the woman. And her discomfort made sense.
But if Deckard allowed Ilain to switch partners, he wasn’t sure how to realign the rest. Placing the Calder siblings together wouldn’t work, as neither was particularly skilled in the work. He couldn’t have Rafferty join Ilain—the two would wind up too engrossed in one another’s chatter to pay attention to their task. Hecouldpair her with either Evylin or himself, but he didn’t want to split up in case Evylin had another bout of anxiety and needed him.
After considering the options, he felt most assured of one solution that would suit them all. But first, he needed confirmation that Ilain’s words last night were true.
“May I ask you a question?” Deckard said.
Ilain nodded, her sharp green eyes alert.
“Your relationship with my brother,” he began. “It’s not serious, is it?”
She let out an amused scoff. “Not remotely.”
Deckard gave her a relieved smile. “Excellent. I’ll have him join you for the first shift. Ethenn can work with Auden from here on out.”
“Thank you,” she said, then added, “And thank you for your discretion.”
Deckard furrowed his brow.
“I may not be a Warrior,” she said, “but I have trained myself to be quite adept at being aware of my surroundings.”
He raised his chin, surprised. “You knew I was—”
“You held your breath from the moment he asked about the ‘Bonding thing.’”
Deckard breathed out a laugh. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to listen.”
