Page 73 of Wings of Ice and Steel

Failion visibly relaxed, chest puffing with pride. ‘Well, yes. I believe he’s realised my value.’

‘I’m sure he has.’ Ariadnne smiled. ‘He must trust you absolutely, now you’re his Second.’

‘Of course.’

‘Tell me, Failion.’ She pretended to think. ‘Has Sol shared any thoughts with you about my handler’s recent accident? It’s been hard for me this week with her injured. I’d hate for it to happen again.’ It was a struggle to keep her expression open and pleasant.

Failion brought his beer to his lips, sloshing a little down the side.

‘No, I can’t say he has. He’s been wrapped up in his own business of late. Moody, if I’m to be completely honest.’

‘Oh?’

‘Mmhmm, why? Is the General okay?’ His eyes widened in concern.

‘She is now. It’s… I’ve been trying to figure out if someone might mean her harm. I was wondering if Sol might have noticed anything?’

‘I doubt he’s been paying attention…’ Failion began but Ariadnne cut him off.

‘And what does Sol think of Melixanthe?’ she asked.

Failion’s brows knitted. ‘I’m not sure I follow your line of thought there…?’

‘Has he ever mentioned her? Do you think he might harbour a grudge…?’ A small part of Ariadnne’s brain told her to halt, to slow down, but in her alcohol-fuelled state her tongue was running away with her.

Failion went deadly still.

‘Are you accusing my captain? Ariadnne.’ He rocked back in his chair, the temperature around the table turning frosty.

Ariadnne bared a canine, dropping her cheerful façade. ‘I wasn’t putting it in so many words, but somehow you lot are always right there each time she’s been hurt…’

‘Oh, so now it’s all of us you’re accusing?’ Failion rose as he spoke. His companions joined him, tight lipped and scowling. ‘How bloody dare you. We’re loyal to this Guild.’

Ariadnne refused to be cowed and rose to tower over him. ‘It’s not your loyalty to the Guild that’s in question, only to your general!’

‘Why you fucking upstart of a child… you know nothing! I begin to see now why Sol won’t hear us speak of you. He must know you’re a spoilt, venomous—’ His words were cut off as a pale fist connected with his nose with a resounding crack. Ariadnne’s eyes widened and she twisted her neck to see Nieve panting beside her.

‘How dare you speak to her like that.’ Her eyes flashed dangerously, daring any of them to say another word.

Failion cradled his bloody nose, his voice muffled as he replied, ‘Don’t even get me started on you…’ he retorted. That was enough for Ariadnne. Her forehead connected with the bridge of his nose before she had time to think. If it hadn’t been broken before it certainly was now and suddenly, they were brawling.

Patrons scattered as fists flew and glasses shattered on the floor. Kayla came swinging over a table to join them, narrowly ducking a blow from Uther as she took to the floor like she was made for a bar fight. Locals seized the excuse to join in and soon Ariadnne could barely remember what she’d been doing, only that Failion had been about to insult her mate.

As he doubled over her fist, she could vaguely hear someone shouting for the town guard, and then firm hands were pulling her away and out into the night.

*

They were a sorry party as they stumbled back through the castle gates, the town guard having informed them none-too-gently that they wouldn’t be welcome at the tavern again. Failion threw them a dark look before marching with his company towards the main building.

A dark bruise blossomed on Nieve’s cheekbone, Ariadnne’s lip swollen and sore. Kayla limped. She had defended Ariadnne without a single question, securing that label of ‘friend’ in Ariadnne’s mind. As she sobered, Ariadnne feared Melixanthe’s reaction when saw them. She swallowed the worry. She would face whatever words Melixanthe had for her. Failion had it coming the second he’d tried to utter something derogatory about Nieve.

As they crossed the parade grounds, Nieve fell into step next to her, resting her silver head on her shoulder. Kayla was ahead, and Nieve tilted her head, whispering, ‘Do you want to share what tonight was about?’

Ariadnne wished she could, but she didn’t know how Nieve would feel about her suspicions, given that she appeared to care about Sol. She shook her head.

‘Not yet. Not here.’ To soften her words, she bent closer to Nieve’s ear. ‘I promise I will. As soon as I can.’ She paused for a heartbeat, then, ‘I need to see you alone. Soon.’

Nieve’s pupils darkened. She took Ariadnne’s hand, threading their fingers together before releasing her so they could step apart and enter the wide doors of the castle.