Page 48 of Avalon Tower
“My cousin was thinking of joining the army,” Raphael says, gesturing lazily at Arzel. “I told him that you don’t accept just anyone. That the king’s army has standards. Isn’t that right?”
“I’m old enough and large enough to join,” Arzel snaps.
Raphael snorts. “He is barely fifty and has never slept with a woman.”
Two of the other patrol officers smirk. The sergeant’s face, however, is stony. “The king’s army needs every volunteer at this time of trial to exterminate those without loyalty. We must protect ourselves from our enemies within and without. May his light shine brightly.”
His voice is deep and melodious. There’s something in it that sounds ancient, something that sends a shiver of dread up my spine.
“May his light shine brightly,” Raphael repeats.
The sergeant’s gaze flicks over us, taking in our outfits and weapons. “Hunting?”
“With nothing to show for it so far,” Raphael says ruefully. “I don’t suppose you’ve spotted red deer?”
“And why would you be hunting with a sword, pray tell?” The sergeant prods his horse closer to us, his coppery eyes locked on Raphael.
“He can’t aim to save his life,” says Arzel with a yawn. “More risk of killing us than a deer. So we allow him to slit the deer’s throat after we catch it. He does like to feel useful, poor chap.”
“I see.” The sergeant’s eyes flick to me. He stops as close to me as possible, leaning closer. His dark hair hangs down to a square jawline, giving his face a gaunt appearance. “I’ve been searching for demi-Fey vermin. You haven’t seen any, have you?”
Can he hear the way my heart is beating? Does he see the hairs on the back of my neck rising? He inspects me as if the glamour spell is slipping. Does he know I’m demi-Fey?
“None at all,” Raphael says. “Thankfully.”
“You are a beauty,” the sergeant mutters to me. “A Fey rose.”
My eyebrows flick up with shock. What? I nervously smile, hiding my fear.
He bites his lip, looking me over. “Do you really want to spend such a glorious night with such tedious company?”
“My sister doesn’t speak much,” Raphael says. “She’s not very bright. I’m afraid.”
“Is that right?” The sergeant leans in closer to me, a smile spreading on his face. “That’s fine with me. I like women who don’t talk a lot. What do you say? Want to join me on a little night patrol, just the two of us?”
I keep smiling, letting just a little of my nervousness show. I try to emulate Tana’s accent as I say, “That sounds wonderful, but I promised my brother I would stick with him. My father worries for me at night.”
His eyes flash with a hungry look. For a few seconds, he doesn’t respond, and I know that he spotted my accent. Panic crackles through my veins.
He sighs at last. “Your father is right. Such a pretty little thing should always have an escort. Bad people out here. Bad sort of men, so close to the border. Demi-Fey among them.”
“That’s why we have people like you,” I say demurely. “To protect us.”
“That’s right.”
“May his light shine brightly,” I say.
He blinks and nods. “May his light shine brightly.”
He rides off, and I let out a shaky breath. We ride on, trying to look casual.
Once they’re far enough, Arzel exhales. “That was close.”
“Too close,” Raphael says. He looks at me strangely. “You did well. Your accent sounded much better.”
I let out a long, shaky breath. “Thanks.”
We ride into the grove of trees, and their gnarled branches arch over us, welcoming. In here, the moonlight flecks the mossy earth with silver.