Page 221 of Sword & Shadow
Despite the gravity of the situation, Evylin couldn’t help smiling.
“I’d admired her already,” he continued quietly. “Being invited to train with her—to be part of her team...I was nervous that I wouldn’t measure up.”
“Hm.” Renaul studied Ethenn a moment longer. “A Warrior would be attracted to a fighter such as yourself. Interesting. We’ll come back to you.”
The lady stepped forward where Rafferty stood with bright eyes and an eager smile. She didn’t even have to prompt him as he readily gave his account. “Name’s Rafferty, but you can call me Raff, milady.” He gave a wily wink. “I met Eve in the army, too, though I’m more a soldier of fortune than destiny.”
Deckard shook his head wearily.
“Found her standing in our camp all lonely-like and decided to take pity on her,” Rafferty said. “I flirted a bit, and she did too. She’s an accomplished tease, and I’m quite proud of her for that. I’ve been at her side ever since.”
Renaul’s wide grin took on a knowing tilt. “No,” she said flatly.
“Pardon?” Rafferty replied.
“No,” Renaul repeated. “Your story may be true, but you are not her husband.”
“Why not?”
“You’re all flash.”
“Believe me,” Rafferty smirked, “I’m plenty substantial.”
Renaul laughed boisterously at his innuendo but moved on to Deckard. “And what about you, handsome?” She peered up at him, propping a finger under his chin. Evylin tried not to grit her teeth. “Are you a soldier too?”
“I am,” he replied.
“Are you all?”
“We are.”
“And your offices?”
Deckard readily gave their ranks as soldiers.
“Well, then,” Renaul said. “Is the colonel of our troop the lover of this lady?”
Deckard’s lips lifted in the charming smile he wore for magistrates, nobles, and officers—one that warmed people’s souls but rarely revealed his true feelings. “Would you like me to answer honestly?” he asked pleasantly. “Or would you like me to play your game?”
“Do play on,” Renaul said, her voice throaty and provocative.
With a deferential nod and a glance in Evylin’s direction, Deckard proceeded. “My name is Jonn. I was a guest in the home of Mrs. Deckard’s family, and we met at dinner. Evylin was...” He paused, the corner of his smile twitching fondly. “Notable.”
Renaul frowned. “That’s all? She wasnotable.”
Deckard lifted his shoulder in a casual shrug. “You requested the details of our meeting, not her manifold virtues.”
A small, breathy laugh escaped Evylin, but she managed to cover it with a sniff of her nose.
Deckard glanced at her again, though his expression gave nothing away.
Renaul pursed her lips. “EvenIcould come up with a more charming description. Is that really all you have to say?”
“Would it serve your game for me to say I found her to be the perfect woman?” he asked dryly. “Or shall I say that she captivated my very soul?”
Though there was a definitive snark in his tone, Evylin had learned Deckard’s manner of teasing well enough to know that he meant both those things. Her heart beat faster as her fingers found her rings, and she watched him closely.
“Mm,” Renaul hummed, then waved Deckard off. She stepped forward to stand before Thom. “May I assume by your likeness that you two are brothers?”
