by Ally Shields
She peered out the front window, scanning the swinging walkways of wood and hemp that connected the tree house homes. Except for three children tossing pieces of bread over the side to wildlife on the forest floor below, the suspended paths were deserted.
Where was Rhyden? He said he’d be back by now so they could talk with Brunic together. Too restless to wait any longer, she went to the kitchen where her mother was baking breads and pies for the solstice party and grabbed a woven basket.
Meotta Ryndel looked up. “Going to the market? I have a few items I need.”
Relieved to have a specific errand, Esty waited for the list and set out, despite the chilling wind that might have discouraged her another day.
The vendors weren’t very busy at midweek, and it didn’t take her long to collect her mother’s purchases or to find the silver locket she wanted for Kam. She’d seen the necklace a few weeks ago and thought it would make a perfect promise gift. Kam could have Seth’s photo taken in New Orleans and keep it inside. She smiled at the heart-shaped, finely etched trinket. Her sister would love it.
As Esty shopped, she watched for Ellyn or even her friend’s mother. Neither woman was present. Nor did she see the stranger from the woods, although she hadn’t expected to since the women usually did the shopping. Even village rumors were at a disgustingly low ebb. What a bust this trip had been.
Discouraged, she left the market and fought the blustery wind as she trudged down the path toward the raised walkway home. As she passed a grove of trees, someone touched her shoulder, and she jumped, ready to flee.
“Esty, it’s me.”
If she hadn’t spoken, Esty might not have recognized her heavily bundled friend. She clutched Ellyn’s arm. “Where have you been? I’ve looked everywhere.”
“Sorry. My father heard I’d met with some of the rebels. He’s afraid for me—for our family—and forbade me to leave the house. He’s gone today, and mother is more sympathetic, especially when I told her I had to see you. But I don’t have much time.” She glanced around furtively as if she expected her father to be lurking somewhere.
“Surely you don’t think he followed you.”
“No, but his friends would tell him if they saw me.” Ellyn shrugged, then grinned. “Well, what can he do? Chain me to the bed? Even father isn’t that archaic. OK, here’s what I came to tell you. I saw…um, our leader right after we last met. He wasn’t happy you’ve involved yourself in duchaen business, but since you have, he wants to meet with you and Rhyden before you go to Brunic. You haven’t talked to the captain yet, have you?”
“Only because I haven’t seen Rhyden. I don’t know when he’s coming.”
“Can you get a message to him and ask him to come tonight?”
“I suppose I could,” Esty said reluctantly, “but why? What’s your mysterious leader want?”
“More time.”
Esty blew out a cold breath. “I don’t think Rhyden would agree. Besides, how do we know it’s safe to meet him?”
“You think this is a trap?” Ellyn’s face pinched with distress. “Esty, I would never do that to you.”
“Of course you wouldn’t, but I don’t trust him. I don’t even know who he is.”
Ellyn sighed. “He said you’d say that, but he wants to introduce himself. I think he’s afraid you’ll just turn him in to the Guard and not show up. You met him in the woods. He didn’t try to hurt you, did he?”
“So that was him.” Esty was intrigued, but she hated to admit it. “There were two of us and one of him. He could bring others with him this time.”
“I trust him,” Ellyn said.
Esty studied her friend’s face, the nose and cheeks red from the cold but the dark brown eyes steady. “OK, I’ll try, but no guarantees, and I won’t meet him alone. Since our workers go home at dark, we could talk privately at the stables around seven. If we’re not there by seven fifteen, we’re not coming. Either because I couldn’t get a hold of Rhyden, or he refused to meet.”
“Thank you.” Ellyn clasped both her gloved hands. “I wish I could be there too, but my father will be home long before then. I’d never be able to sneak past him.”
“It’s OK. I’ll have Rhyden with me.”
Ellyn’s lips quirked. “Which is something else we need to talk about one of these days. I thought you two were over and done. Yet he’s been around a lot lately.”
Esty shrugged. She was tired of people hinting, not very subtly, at the same question. Despite her own feelings, they were just friends. How she hated that word, but she said it without cringing. “We’re friends. Nothing else to talk about. At first, he helped me so I wouldn’t get into trouble while nosing around on my own.” Esty grinned. “Now I think he hates to confess to Seth and Kam he’s been helping me.”
Ellyn brushed the hair out of her face and gave her a teasing smile. “If you say so. We should get out of the cold before we freeze. I’ll relay the message. Please be there.”
“I’ll really try.” Esty watched her friend hurry away, then pulled her cloak tight and turned toward home.
* * *
Rhyden leaned one hip against his office desk and stared at the handwritten note. After handling Esty so badly the other night, he was surprised to hear from her…and he definitely wasn’t ready.
He’d been plagued by thoughts of what could have happened if she’d been outside that farmhouse by herself. She was so sweet, so innocent, and didn’t realize how tempting she was. But he’d made of mess of it that night. Acting like an angry older brother, ordering her around. In his weaker moments, that was far from the role he’d imagined.
He’d stayed away from her for two whole days, and now she was luring him back. It wasn’t as if he didn’t intend to return, but he’d wanted a little more time and distance—to quit thinking about her, wondering what she was doing and if she’d noticed he hadn’t been around.
He sighed heavily and dropped the note on the polished walnut desktop. Well, he couldn’t let her go to this meeting alone. He was out of excuses, since Seth had returned from DC late last night. So, what the hell? He could manage an hour with Esty, and then he was done. He’d make it clear he wouldn’t be back this time.
He picked up a fresh note card embossed with a silver L and penned a response.
I’ll be there at 6:30.
Rhyden
To the point, nothing left to interpretation. He placed it in the portal and sent it to Elvenrude before he thought up another excuse to put this off. If he didn’t appear, she might go alone…despite her promise…and he couldn’t bear to think of her in danger without him to protect her.
Rhyden rubbed the back of his neck and walked over to the wide windows displaying the morning cityscape. Actually, this meeting might be a good idea. He’d learn the name of the rebel leader to pass on to Brunic. But there could be an even bigger benefit. He suspected the guy intended to warn them off, and if that convinced Esty to get her nose out of the rebellion’s affairs, Rhyden would end up owing him. Her—and his—involvement could be over tonight. Rhyden’s lips twitched into a grin. And he’d never have to admit his lapse in judgment to Seth or Kam. On that positive note, he turned his attention to the import/export business.
* * *
Promptly at 6:30, Rhyden climbed the swinging walkway and knocked on the door of Esty’s home. Sawyer Ryndel opened it and invited him in.
“We haven’t seen you in a couple of days,” her father said. “Been busy?”
“Guild business. It’s kept me tied to my desk.” But Rhyden shot him a quizzical look. Was he probing for information? Seth was still doing it too. They’d had a very uncomfortable conversation a few hours ago. His current behavior must look odd, and eventually he’d have to give some explanation. By that time, he hoped this was far behind them.
Esty came into the room, dressed in jeans and a lacy blue blouse. It matched her eyes. She looked nice, then she smiled. Damn that dimple. That’s what had gotten him into this mess.<
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“How charming to see you,” she said. As if she hadn’t written and nearly demanded his presence. “Shall we go for a walk? I’m dying for some fresh air.”
“I thought we might chat a while,” her father said.
Esty grabbed her cloak. “Oh, Father. I’ve been stuck inside all day, and I feel a little overheated. I think a walk might make me feel better.” She urged Rhyden toward the door. “You and I can have a nice talk when I return. I’m sure we won’t be gone long.”
Sawyer lifted a brow, but apparently realizing he’d been out maneuvered, he only said, “Have a good time.”
Rhyden avoided her father’s gaze. Esty wasn’t a very good liar. But she was brazen about it.
“You could have said something,” she hissed the moment they were outside.
“Like what?” Rhyden spread his hands helplessly. “Do you know how bad this all looks? As if I’m trifling with you. Seth came close to warning me off this afternoon.” He frowned at her. “You and this secrecy about our activities are giving me a terrible reputation.”
“Phooey. Men thrive on bad reputations.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to understand. Oh, come on. Let’s get this over with.” He broke convention by walking off, leaving her to follow.
“Rhyden Lormarc.” She stopped and put her hands on her hips. “You can at least act like a gentleman. Come back here and give me your arm. I’m not going to chase after you.”
He turned on his heels and came back to her side. “Maybe if you’d act like a lady I wouldn’t forget,” he muttered.
She didn’t respond to this grumbling, and they walked to the stables in silence.
It was cold and damp. No wonder her father had been skeptical about their evening walk. A brisk wind swirled around them, and Rhyden kept his arm firmly locked with hers to keep her slender figure steady. It brought their bodies into close contact, making him more aware of her than he wanted to be.
He stole a glimpse at her face. What was she thinking? At twenty-three, Esty was barely more than a sheltered child, not the typical mature woman he spent his nights with. He should never have gotten involved…and certainly wouldn’t do it again. The sooner he was away from temptation the better.
At the door of the stables, she picked up a lantern and lit it, the glow revealing several horses loosely tied to rails along the sides. Her mare lifted her head from a pile of hay and nickered. Esty stopped and rubbed her horse’s nose.
“Not tonight, girl.” She turned toward Rhyden. “Do you think he’ll come?”
“I certainly hope so after you’ve dragged me here from New Orleans.” His edgy tone hid his real concern the rebel leader wouldn’t come alone. Rhyden fingered the pistol in his jacket pocket. It was illegal to bring it into Elvenrude—and he’d had to manipulate the portal to do it—but he couldn’t risk Esty being harmed by a band of ruffians.
A sound from the other end of the stable brought him spinning around. A tall figure strolled toward them. Rhyden angled his body so a solid wall was at his back and he could see both ends of the horse shelter.
The lantern light illuminated the dark blond hair and hazel eyes of the stranger they’d seen outside the farmhouse. He spoke to Esty first. “Thank you for meeting with me. Ellyn speaks well of you as her friend.” His gaze moved to Rhyden, and he held out his hand. “My name is Merik Trevain. Sorry for being so mysterious, but I wanted a chance to talk with you before you brought in the Guard to arrest me.”
Rhyden eyed him a moment. “I’ll defer the handshake until we know each other better. Are you alone?”
Trevain let his hand drop. “Very much so. I hope to win you over, not kill you.”
“That’s reassuring,” Rhyden said dryly. He raised a brow. “So, why are we here? I’ve heard you’re recruiting others to your cause, but surely you don’t expect us to join you.”
A smile flickered across Trevain’s lips. “That indeed would be a major coup, but no, all I ask is additional time, a chance to clear our own ranks before you bring in the Guard. This splinter group—originally formed by your great-uncle, by the way—is hurting our legitimate cause. We want them caught and punished—”
“Then you should welcome Captain Brunic’s help,” Rhyden said.
Trevain shook his head. “Not yet. The hardcore group has surrounded itself with others who are merely angry and confused. These fringe members can be brought back into our movement. I’m sure of it. In fact, I’ve already convinced three of them. There’s no reason to ruin the others’ lives…and their families’ lives.”
“Ellyn has made me understand how badly her people are treated.” Esty placed a slim, gloved hand on Rhyden’s sleeve. “Imagine what would happen if they were labeled traitors.”
Rhyden resisted reminding her they were traitors. He glanced at her hand, the warmth filtering through his jacket. He didn’t need the distraction, but he wasn’t about to move it. When his gaze moved to her face, she reacted as if she sensed something and withdrew her hand.
Trevain pressed on. “That night at the farmhouse is the first time I’ve located one of their meetings. If I can identify more of them, I’ll approach them one by one. But that takes time.”
“Surely you know who they are.” Rhyden’s voice revealed his skepticism. “Didn’t you recognize them at the meeting?”
“It disbanded while I was talking with you. I got back just in time to see the three I mentioned. And talking with them made me hopeful I can pull out everyone except the center seven or eight.”
“Who are the hardcore members? Couldn’t Brunic take them into custody?” Esty asked.
“Kurzi Everins is the only solid name I have. I suspect others but not enough to give up their names. If the Guard arrests them without enough evidence to hold them, they’ll go underground, and we’ll never know what they’re doing or who else they recruit.”
During this last exchange, Rhyden glanced toward the far end of the stables. Was that a sound outside or just the horses? Maybe Trevain’s horse was getting restless.
“So you’re offering nothing in return for our silence,” Rhyden said. “Not a very good deal from my point of view.”
“If I’m successful, I’ll remove most of the group before it turns into a fight.” Trevain narrowed his eyes. “Maybe that isn’t what you want. Would you rather kill us?”
“That’s an absurd thing to say.” Esty sounded angry.
“Killing isn’t my thing.” Rhyden kept his cool, his eyes never leaving the other man’s face. “If you’re asking what I think of your duchaen cause, I support it in theory. No one’s birth should limit his choices in life. But I can’t support the chaos and violence. And I’m not yet convinced the rest of you are ready to work for something better, to do more than complain about it.”
Trevain’s eyes flashed. “Don’t mistake caution for lack of will. You don’t understand their hesitancy, because you’ve never been denied anything. But fair enough. I’ll prove it to you. I just need a few extra days.”
Before Rhyden could respond, Captain Brunic strode in the west door, leading his horse. “What in Hades is going on in here?” His broad face hardened, his eyes full of suspicion. “I saw Trevain leaving the village and followed, thinking he’d take me to the rebel stronghold. I never expected to end up here. What’s the meaning of this, Lormarc?”
Rhyden had reacted to the first jingle of harness by stepping in front of Esty. Then he recognized the captain. He met Trevain’s startled look with a nod of warning and turned to face Brunic. “I don’t understand your question. You’re interrupting a business discussion.”
Brunic snorted. “At night, in a stable. I hardly think so.”
Rhyden lifted a brow and gave a slow, deliberate shrug. “It was convenient, since I was coming to see Esty. The stable may seem strange to you, but we needed absolute secrecy to discuss a potential merger of our guilds. You can imagine the talk if it became public knowledge, and I hope you won’t mention it to anyone until
a final decision is made.”
“I don’t care about your business arrangements…if that’s what this is. Why are you here?” Brunic asked, frowning at Esty.
“Representing the Ryndel interest,” Rhyden said smoothly.
“I’ve decided to pay more attention to the business,” Esty said, following his lead. “My father doesn’t think I’m serious, but I hoped to convince him if I could talk knowledgeably about the merger. It’s not a closed deal, and Ryndel might make our own offer.” She smiled sweetly at Rhyden. “Just because my sister intends to wed a Lormarc, the competition between our guilds isn’t over.”
“What do you have to say about this?” Brunic finally looked at Trevain. It wasn’t surprising he’d left the crossbreed until last. Brunic was a fearless leader of the Guard and loyal to a fault to king and country, but tolerance and adapting to change were not among his better traits.
Trevain’s tone was mild but unapologetic. “It’s a possible plan among several for the future of our guild. But frankly, I can’t see how it concerns you.”
Brunic looked at the three of them, clearly suspicious but stymied by their consistent stories. He focused on Rhyden and Esty. “I hope this is as innocent as you say. Rhyden, I expect to see you in my office in the morning.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Rhyden said, thinking rapidly. He wanted time for Brunic’s suspicions to fade and to get his own thinking in order. Brunic’s attitude had annoyed him just enough to grant Trevain the time he wanted. “I have pending business that won’t wait. But I’ll make a point of seeing you within the next few days. Will that be timely enough?”
“I guess so.” Brunic’s face belied the words. He might be the commanding officer of the Guard, where Rhyden held special agent status, but they both knew he wouldn’t alienate a member of the powerful Lormarc Guild without more than unsubstantiated suspicion. “Goodnight, Esty. I’ll let you get back to your, um, negotiations.” He led his horse outside, mounted, and rode away.