They paused, then laughed again. “Aye? Aye? And how’s that, you fancy?”
Myrin shrugged. A blue-glowing rune appeared on the back of her right hand.
A flicker of magic and the wand pulled free of the guard’s hand, floated through the viewing window, and set itself in Myrin’s fingers. “Uh,” said the guard.
Thunder cracked. The ratty door exploded off its hinges and crashed against the opposite wall, shattering into a dozen pieces. The three knaves drew steel, shouting for aid.
“Now,” Myrin said, stepping through the cloud of dust, her wand held low. More blue-glowing runes spread across her skin. “Where’s your captain?”
“It was very diplomatic.” Myrin grasped one elbow behind her back and dug the toe of one boot into the floor. “Not at all violent. Promise!”
Rhett accepted that, but Kalen knew that posture only too well-it was the one she assumed when she was nervous. Myrin had changed over their year apart, but she was still as easy to read as ever. He smiled.
Myrin saw him studying her and looked at her feet, her nervousness redoubled. She mustered her courage. “Kalen, I-” she said. Then she saw him wince-saw the blood soaking his leather hauberk. “You’re hurt.” She came forward to inspect him.
“It’s nothing,” he said.
That, he realized too late, was the wrong thing to say.
As though he’d struck her, Myrin stopped. Her expression went from an ambivalent mixture of joy and anxiety to a more certain look of irritation. In the face of her anger, he felt frustration stir in his belly.
“I can help, Kalen,” she said. “My magic can make a difference-”
“Your magic has done enough,” Kalen said. “Look where it’s landed you-Witch-Queen of the Dead Rats? Even a fool can see you’re a prisoner, not a leader. You’re a lamb encircled by wolves.”
“Your analogy is flawed,” Myrin retorted. “I’m in control here, through the proper threat of magical ruin-not that I’d want to hurt anyone, obviously, as that would be conterproductive. King Toytere saw through to ceding me his power when he recognized how much damage I could do both to him and his organization. He practically
“I’m sure you think that,” Kalen said, “but the fact is-”
“And you’re more versed in the facts than I?” Myrin said hotly. “King Toy-”
“I bet he
“Apologies for interceding in a lovers’ argument,” Rhett said, “but what in the Nine Blazing Hells is going on here?”
Both Myrin and Kalen stared at him.
“You, you’re queen of the Dead Rats, at least at the moment,” Rhett said to Myrin. “In that case, thank you for not killing us.”
“You’re welcome,” Myrin said.
“And saer.” Rhett turned to Kalen. “With all due respect, why not accept her aid? Lady Darkdance must have cowed Sithe. You’ll recall that demon creature nearly cut you in half.”
“Not helpful,” Kalen murmured.
“Not accurate,” Myrin said. “Sithe is a genasi, not a demon. Or at least not entirely-I can’t be quite sure.”
“What’s a genasi?” Rhett asked.
“Like a human with the soul of an elemental,” Kalen said. “But she’s not like any genasi I’ve ever heard of- what’s her element, darkness?”
Myrin shrugged. She acted as if she’d quite forgotten that they’d been fighting only five breaths ago. She stepped forward and pulled open Kalen’s tunic, revealing the livid scar of Sithe’s assault. “Healing magic,” she said. “Glad to see you’re still a paladin, considering.”
“Considering?” Kalen grimaced. “What’s that supposed to-?”
“That was me, actually,” Rhett said.
“You’re a paladin, too?” Myrin asked.
“Apparently.” Rhett spread his hands. “Only for the last hour or so-I think Vindicator’s more the paladin than I.”
“Huh.” Myrin considered this. “What are you doing here?”
“Myrin, we’re wasting time,” Kalen said in a rush. “Every moment we delay is a moment Toytere can prepare an ambush just outside that door. We need to go right-”
“I wasn’t talking to you, actually.” Myrin looked at Rhett.
“Oh-me?” Rhett said. “I came to give Saer Shadowbane back his sword.”
“I see.” Myrin turned to Kalen. “And why are
“I came to”-he paused-“to
He expected her face to tighten and her next words to berate him. Instead, Myrin regarded him blankly. “Well, many thanks-but as you can see, that’s not necessary.”
That took Kalen by surprise. “Not
“I’m doing quite well, you know. I’m Witch-Queen of the Dead Rats gang. I can leave any time I want. I just don’t want to.”
“You-” He remembered Rhett standing beside him and bit his tongue. He didn’t want to have this argument in front of anyone-he wanted to be alone with Myrin, where they could talk. Though if that were the case, he couldn’t guarantee he would use any words. He might just embrace her, or kiss her, or-
The door opened behind them. Kalen turned and interposed himself between Myrin and some new attacker. He expected a dozen Dead Rats to flood in, blades drawn. Instead only Toytere entered, his cane tapping the floor. Rhett also stepped toward Myrin, and Kalen was pleased to see the training of the Guard at work.
“I be but checking on Her awe-inspiring Majesty,” the halfling said.
“I’m well,
If the name grated on the halfling, he took it in stride. “Well then, I’ll leave you be,” he said. “Though- apologies for overhearing, but be assured the lady knows of what she be speaking. Where is she safer than here, among her loyal subjects, no?”
“No, indeed.” Kalen met the halfling’s cool smile with one of his own. “Then you won’t object if we all take our leave-Myrin, too.”
“Kalen, don’t,” Myrin said.
He saw that she understood his game. If the Halfling refused, it confirmed Kalen’s belief that she was a prisoner. He knew how her mind worked: one could lie to her, but once she knew the truth, she couldn’t just ignore it.
“Well?” Kalen asked. “What of it,
Toytere had eyes only for Kalen, but he nodded toward Myrin. “Such a suspicious brightbird this be, me dear queen.”
“Brightbird?” Myrin furrowed her brow.
“Sweetheart, paramour, betrothed, or the like.”
“Oh.” Myrin reddened a bit. “He’s not my brightbird or any of those other things.”
“Good to be knowing.” Toytere noted her blush then smiled at Kalen. “As to your question, Little Dren: nay, I’ve no objection, not even a little. You be free to leave whenever you wish and I’ll not stay you. Villain I may be, and a thief, but I’ve manners. However”-at this, he looked to Myrin-“I be thinking the lady knows her own mind, no?”
“Yes, I do,” Myrin said. “And no, we aren’t leaving.”
“But-” Kalen said.
“Always a pleasure, me lady.” Toytere’s smile was smug. “I don’t need the Sight to be seeing angry words to come.” He left and closed the door.
Rhett spoke first into the silence. “Sorry my lady, but we aren’t? Leaving, that is?”
Myrin looked at him as if he’d just materialized from the air. “Who are you again?”
