Ever the Brave (A Clash of Kingdoms Novel)(41)

I laugh, liking the straightforward ring of his compliment.

I shift my weight. “How exactly does he describe me?”

“Tough and full of grit. Like Leif, but in a skirt. Well, maybe not a skirt. But a Leif-like girl, though a little more sure-footed.”

Well, then. I grin. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“But he also worries about you because he’s gone for you.”

Now I’m the one blushing.

Finn shoves his hands into his pockets and shrugs. “Guess I should’ve waited to meet you before making a judgment.”

Cohen, who’s been watching our exchange, wraps his arm around Finn’s neck and tugs the younger boy closer. “Did you and Lirra stay out of trouble?”

Finn points toward the row of doors that line the side of the castle, where a handful of guards surround the dark-haired girl I recognize from Enat’s home.

Captain Omar ignores me as he starts up a conversation with Cohen about the attack in the woods. I listen in as the man explains they’ve had no luck finding Phelia or the people she’s working with.

Captain Omar taps his fingers on the hilt of his sword. “There’s been another development.” His eyes shift to me and Finn.

“Go on.” Cohen crosses his arms.

The captain’s mouth twists before he whispers, “A teenage girl was found in the woods.” This must be the gossip Cohen heard from the castle servants. Omar goes on to explain that Leif rushed an injured girl to the castle. The healer tried to save her, but she died before they could find out what the marks on her arm meant or whom she was running from.

Cohen’s shock mirrors my own. I hope for Lirra’s sake it wasn’t her friend.

Cohen runs his finger along his scar. “Her family hasn’t been located?”

“No. We think she might be from Shaerdan.”

“And you don’t know what led to her death?”

Another shake of Omar’s head.

A curse sounds under Cohen’s breath. “Near the border, after I met up with Lirra, I came across Lord Conklin. He had a few men with him and some girls who weren’t there of their own will.”

The only time I’ve seen shock register on Omar’s face like now was when he discovered Lord Jamis had killed my father.

Omar lets out a heavy breath. “What happened to him?”

I wonder why Cohen didn’t mention this to the captain yesterday. But my body flushes a little when I think of yesterday’s reunion. Cohen relays the story of how they killed a couple of Conklin’s men, but saved a young girl before the lord got away with the rest of the girls.

“Do you know whom he was working with?”

“No. Whoever it is clearly wants Malam and Shaerdan to go to war.”

Omar takes a moment, hand gripping the hilt of his sword. “I’ll report the information to the king. For now, stay vigilant, return here tomorrow. You can have one more night away from the guards’ quarters.”

Cohen starts to argue, but the captain jumps back in. “It is unseemly for you to stay at Britta’s cottage, whether or not you care. At least Miss Tierney is there as a chaperone.”

Cohen steps forward, hands in fists. “Don’t say another word.”

Omar straightens his coat. “Only a warning, Cohen. Rumors are hard to stop once started. Right now, with unrest in the country, you don’t want to draw negative attention to yourself.” Omar’s eyes flick dismissively to me. “Or others.”

“I’ll be back tonight after I see the women to the cottage,” Cohen bites out.

When Captain Omar leaves, I can tell in the pinched lines around Cohen’s mouth that he’s angry. I hate that he isn’t going to stay another night. But this is better for him. I know what it’s like to live under others’ scrutiny. I don’t want to be the person who brings Cohen down.

Lirra says goodbye to the guards and crosses the yard.

Cohen shakes off the conversation with Omar and introduces me to Lirra as if we’ve never met. The sadness that blows through me at the sight of her makes it impossible to not remember our first meeting at Enat’s log home.

“Find anything out?” Cohen’s voice drops to a whisper.

“It wasn’t Orli.” Lirra’s shoulders sag.

“But that’s good news, right?”

“I saw her body, and I think I know how she was killed.” Lirra’s glance darts around the field, but we huddle closer, keeping her words secret. “I’m afraid Orli might face the same fate.”

“Which is?” Cohen steals the words right out of my mouth.

“Her power was stolen.”

“Is that possible?” I blurt, and then realize it wasn’t a whisper. I ask once more, quieter.

Lirra nods. “Aye. It’s Spiriter dark magic, but it’s possible. A Channeler cannot live if all their ability is stolen by a Spiriter.”





Chapter

18


Aodren


A MISSIVE SITS ON MY DESK. ITS WORDS COULD fan the embers between Shaerdan and Malam into the fire of war. My fingers trace over Judge Auberdeen’s careful script. Jaw clenched, I force myself to be motionless. As if cutting out any movement will clear my mind. Make the crucial decision for me.