Page 66 of Fate's Wicked Oath

“And here I thought you were being considerate—honorable, even—by butting out.”

Faren leaned close, his shoulder brushing mine. “You’d be surprised by how dishonorable I can be.”

My magic sparked, and I scooted away from his touch—not out of displeasure, but self-consciousness. “What is there to tease about?” I asked. “Having a loving family isn’t embarrassing.”

“Of course not,” Faren said quickly. “Yetyoustill seemed embarrassed. I have to assume it’s because your mother took a liking to me.”

My mouth dropped open. “How dare you.”

“Your mother took a liking to me,” he repeated, pointing his soup spoon at me, “andthatmade you think differently of me.”

I like him, my mother had whispered in my ear as I bid her farewell this morning.He’s good for you.

I’d scoffed at her.

I scoffed, now.

“Admit it,” Faren said. “Admit that you were momentarily endeared to a Mighty Knight.”

“Never.”

“Then tell me this,” Faren went on, eyebrows waggling. “Was I the first man you brought home to your mother?”

“I did notbring you home,” I argued. “We were there for Orna and Pete.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.” The pub was dim, and the light of the sconces ignited the amber in his irises. His voice dropped to a murmur, forcing me to lean in, even though we already sat too close. “Did you ever bring Grinnick home?”

Normally, the mere thought of Grinnick was a spear to the chest—but Faren’s question made me laugh. “Fates, no,” I said. “He was not the sort of man you bring home to your mother.”

Pushing away his empty bowl, Faren relaxed into his seat and rested his arm along the back of the bench—notaroundme, but behind me. The new position allowed him to face me more intently, pinning me with his fire-lit eyes. “Tell me about him.”

I sopped up the remains of my stew with a scrap of sourdough and surveyed the busy pub as I chewed. Faren waited as if he had all night.

“Grinnick was brash,” I said finally. “Maddeningly cocksure, but he came by it honestly. Most men in the Valiant are eithersmart or great fighters, but Grinnick was both. It’s what got him—” I broke off, shook my head, met Faren’s eyes again—and felt steadied. “Grinnick chafed at the hierarchy from the very beginning.”

I washed down the last of my supper with a gulp of cider, then traced the handle of my mug. Faren watched, patient.

“I had been in the Valiant for so long by the time he was sentenced. I was a good soldier. Compliant and skilled at my charge. Focused on the narrow tunnel that had become my life. Then Grinnick came along and offered me all these things I’d never experienced before: respect, admiration, humor, passion. He reminded me that there was more to life than just survival.” A small smile lifted the corner of my mouth, wry. “But he was also a criminal. A former street urchin. Far too charming for his own good.” I raised a brow at Faren. “So, no. I did not bring him home.”

“You loved him,” Faren said.

“I was nineteen.”

We were sitting so close. Though we didn’t touch, with Faren’s arm draped over the back of my seat, I felt like I was tucked against his chest. Not trapped but sheltered.

“Do you still love him?” Faren asked.

“A part of me will always love him,” I said, “but it’s been many years. He’s an old scar, not a fresh wound.”

Faren took a sip of his ale and licked the foam from his upper lip. As he set the tankard back down, his thumb smeared the condensation on the glass, and I could feel the phantom wetness in my own fingertips. “Do you think you’ll ever love again?” He said it so casually, as if he were asking me if I wanted another round—but I could feel the earnestness underneath the question. His genuine interest.

I swept my attention across the pub again: flickering sconces, raucous chatter, Fiona delivering steaming bowls to crowdedtables. The place was a riot, yet when I met Faren’s gaze again, the hubbub seemed diminished.

The truth was: I didn’twantto love again. The risk was too high, the inevitable loss too painful. But what I said was: “I’m a conniving, soulless criminal, remember? I am incapable of love.”

Faren laughed, which was my intended response.

“Besides, the Valiant has a way of stripping life to its essentials,” I added.