Amber Eyes

by S. D. Grimm

  Beck sat beside him on the downed log and slapped his hand against Ryan’s back. “Logan tells me you mean to help protect the Deliverers?”

  “Yes, sir, I do.”

  Beck’s laugh was harsh and rough, like the man’s hands. And his personality. His wolverine nosed around Ryan’s boots. “No sudden movements. He’s created a few well-intended scars.” Beck pulled a piece of cheese from his pocket and gave it to the wolverine. “Here you go, Cenewig.” He patted the beast’s head.

  Well-intended scars? The man was certainly blinded by loyalty. That could be a good thing. Still, the wolverine made Ryan a little uneasy, especially when it stuck its nose in Ryan’s lap and started sniffing. He waved his hand to shoo the wolverine away. A heavy paw slammed into Ryan’s leg. He froze.

  Cenewig eyed him askance, and a guttural sound rumbled in his throat. Those huge claws pressed without cutting, but Ryan got the message. His heart jumped into his throat as the wolverine opened his mouth. But Cenewig simply licked a stray breadcrumb off Ryan’s pants, then ambled away.

  Ryan released a breath and glanced at Beck.

  The man just smiled, which distorted his puckered scar. “Cenewig won’t take food from anyone but me. He likes you.”

  “Is that so?” Ryan’s voice felt more strained than he’d hoped, but that only brought out Beck’s booming laugh. He slapped Ryan’s back once more, stood, and winked. “Here comes your pretty lady.”

  Ryan glanced over his shoulder. Jayden and his sisters all headed toward him.

  “I like redheads, too,” Beck said.

  “Red—no, that’s my sister.”

  Beck nodded, something of a gleam in his eyes. “Aye. Was teasing you is all. I’ll leave you kids alone.”

  Jayden sat down next to him with a cooked apple and winced as she took a bite. Chloe, Kinsey, and Wren filled up the rest of the log.

  “Burn your tongue?” Ryan chuckled. “You never wait long enough.”

  Jayden smiled and her nose crinkled.

  “Where’s Ethan?” Chloe asked.

  Jayden tried not to seem interested in that question, which did nothing to boost Ryan’s confidence. He’d lost her. And to his brother, no less. Part of him fumed. The other part . . . well, he’d seen how broken she had been when they thought Ethan was dead. How could he stand in the way of what she truly wanted?

  Ryan tossed a stick into the fire. “Probably arguing with Melanie about whether or not he can participate in the sparring matches this evening.” He shot Chloe a sideways look. “Or at least dancing.”

  Red colored her cheeks. “If you can’t dance, what’s the point of a feast day?”

  Kinsey grabbed Chloe’s arm and gave it a little shake. “Give Ryan his gift.” Her eyes sparkled.

  Wren plopped down next to him and beamed. “You’ll love it. I can’t wait to see you open it.”

  “Gift?” Ryan sat up straighter. “How on earth did you manage gifts? I didn’t get you—”

  “Relax.” Chloe’s smile brought a rare glitter to her eyes. “It was in the bundle Father gave me.” She handed him his father’s flute.

  Ryan froze, staring at the instrument.

  “Play something.” Wren clapped her hands.

  The flute felt so heavy in his hands. Worn where his father’s fingers, shorter and stubbier than Ryan’s, had rested when he played. He didn’t know what to say. “There’s already music.”

  “Play next, then.” She beamed.

  Ethan and Scout approached them. Scout nuzzled up to Wren first, wiggling his whole lithe body as she patted his golden head.

  Ethan nodded toward Ryan’s instrument. “It’s about time you had one of those in your hands.”

  “Yes. Now you need a lute,” Ryan said to his brother.

  Ethan smiled, but this time there was a hint of sadness to it.

  “Don’t tell me you no longer play.”

  Ethan shook his head. “I’m sure I could.”

  “You traded music for fighting?” Chloe nodded to his sword.

  “Something like that.” Ethan’s face became unreadable.

  Kinsey bumped his shoulder with hers. “So? What was Melanie’s verdict? Are dancing and sparring in your near future?”

  His return smile was crooked. “Of course. And what makes you think I asked permission?”

  Jayden seemed interested in her lap. Ryan curled his arm around her shoulders. “You okay?” He squeezed and she flinched.

  She touched her arm and he remembered the gash from their fight with the giant.

  His wound had already healed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You didn’t do any harm.” She smiled, but the look in her eyes gave him pause. Guarded. She was going to push him away. If she chose Ethan, would he lose her friendship?

  “Play something.” Wren’s voice broke his thoughts.

  The music had stopped for a moment. He brought the flute to his lips and played the first tune that came to mind. Jayden’s favorite.

  The instrument on his lips, his fingers against the holes, the sensation of music in his ears all flooded his senses as if he’d never experienced playing an instrument before. Surreal. It was just like the newness he’d experienced after waking from being poisoned with black lion venom.

  Just thinking about that awful black lion venom made him shiver. It had been like burning from the inside out. After he’d been healed, it was like experiencing life for the first time.

  Jayden touched his knee, offering comfort. Always in tune with his feelings.

  A couple out dancing paused for a kiss. A kiss. Now his first kiss after waking from the venom was sure to be amazing. If Jayden’s heart wouldn’t be in it, then he’d save it for someone else.

  Ethan held out his hand to Chloe. “May I have this dance?”

  She looked at his extended hand and blinked. Crossed her arms. Did she have to be so predictable? Oh, Chloe, just dance with him.

  Chloe persisted. “You want to dance with me, Ethan Branor?”

  “You’re welcome to dance by yourself, but it’s easier with a partner.”

  Kinsey tipped her head toward the group of young Feravolk on the other side of the fire. “If you’re so embarrassed to dance with your brother, ask one of those nice Feravolk archers.”

  Chloe placed her hands on her hips. “I’m not embarrassed. Besides, I’ll tow at least one of them out there before the night is over. And Ethan is not my brother.”

  “Chloe.” Kinsey nearly whispered her name, but Chloe felt the full disapproval—her flinching made that apparent.

  She faced Ethan, her face flushed. “It’s just that you were a friend first. It’s hard to think of you as anything different. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “It’s all right, Chloe.” Ethan’s forgiving smile didn’t falter.

  Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, and she cupped her hands together under her chin, as if Kinsey’s admonishment embarrassed her. “I—I didn’t mean anything by it,” she repeated, looking so small standing in front of Ethan.

  He smiled and held out his hand. “Prove it.”

  Her deep breath spoke of relief, and she stood tall and grabbed his hand, her green eyes sparkling. “If I must.”

  Ethan led her out by the fire. Kinsey and Wren joined them.

  Ryan welcomed the gentle summer wind on his face. Music mingled with the popping and crackling of the bonfire, becoming part of its harmony. The joyful faces of his family caressed by the warm orange glow and the softness of Jayden’s dark hair against his arm were enough to bring contentment to this last moment before he took his life into a new direction.

  A direction he wasn’t ready for.

  He’d had his first taste of a fight, and it wasn’t anything like the guts-and-glory stories Norm Grotter, the crazy old man with a missing ear, told. The metallic tang of blood still wet his tongue when he thought about lifting a sword. Still, there was no other choice. He had to protect his sisters. If only his father had
prepared him for this instead of refusing to talk about his role in the wars. Then maybe Ryan wouldn’t have sought old Norm’s tales.

  When his song ended, one of the other Feravolk men played something. The tune was familiar. Perhaps they played the same songs in Moon Over Water as the city folk. He glanced at Jayden. “Would you like to dance?”

  “Are you sure?” Her gaze flicked to his leg, where the Morningstar had sliced him.

  He stood and waved it off, then extended a hand. “Of course.”

  “Then I’d love to.” She practically beamed. Maybe he still had a chance after all. He led her out among the other dancers.

  The night grew older, the fire warmer, and the dancing slower. Jayden and Ryan finally returned to their seats. His sisters must all still be out there. Chloe was. If music was playing, she was dancing. He spotted her on the arm of a tall fellow.

  Jayden’s head rested on his shoulder. He looked at her, but her eyes weren’t on him or the dancers. They’d found Ethan, and he was talking to Logan and Gavin. Disappointed, Ryan fingered his flute.

  Ethan joined them all too soon. He sat down stiffly on the log next to Jayden.

  “Too much dancing?” Ryan asked.

  “Listening to Melanie might have been a good idea.” He shrugged. “But Chloe needed this.”

  “They all did.” Ryan agreed. His poor sisters. Torn from everything they’d ever known. All of them had lost so much.

  Oh no. No dwelling on the sad stuff.

  “Listen, Ethan. What Chloe said: she doesn’t hate you. She loves you like the rest of us. She just—”

  “I’m used to it by now.” He smiled at least. “She’s one of those conundrums.”

  “I can’t argue with that.” Ryan lifted the flute to his lips. He played a lively tune this time.

  The music went on, and the bonfire was nothing more than a small cook fire when Wren and Kinsey returned, slumping together on the log, Wren with her head on Kinsey’s lap. It was just Chloe out there now.

  Ethan nudged Kinsey’s shoulder. “You have fun with Dalton?”

  Kinsey sighed. “Chase. I danced the night away with Chase.”

  “Oh, my mistake.” Ethan chuckled.

  “What about you? Have fun with that pretty brunette?”

  “Sure. She’s a good dancer.”

  “Did you kiss her?”

  Ethan laughed like someone caught off guard. “No.”

  “No?” Ryan faced his brother. “Ethan, what’s wrong with you? She’s beautiful.”

  Jayden looked at him askance and heat crept up Ryan’s neck. “I—that’s—I mean—”

  She just laughed and the sound was lyrical.

  “I know what’s wrong with you, Ethan.” Kinsey wagged a finger in his face. “You’re too shy to ask the girl who caught your fancy.” Kinsey pursed her lips and crossed her arms in a typical Granden sister pose, daring Ethan to prove her wrong.

  Next to Ryan, Jayden tensed.

  Ethan dropped his head, but it didn’t hide his shy smile.

  “Someone caught your eye?” Ryan hoped against the odds that it wasn’t Jayden.

  Ethan laughed nervously. “No.”

  Kinsey pointed her finger at his nose. Ethan’s eyes crossed as he looked at it. Her arms flew up. “How would she even know you’re interested if you never look at her?” She was getting a tiny bit fierce, and her voice was starting to carry.

  “Kinny.” Ethan cocked an eyebrow at her. “Have you been drinking ale?”

  She shook her head wildly, then put her hands on Ethan’s shoulder to steady herself. “Who spun the log?”

  Ethan looked at sleeping Wren and sighed. “I think you both have.”

  Kinsey put a finger to her lips. “Shh.”

  Ryan groaned. “Kinsey, really? You gave some to Wren? If Chloe finds out—”

  Kinsey shook her finger back and forth. “She won’t. Besides, Wren gave it to me.”

  Now that he believed.

  “Off to bed, I think.” Ethan stood and scooped Kinsey into his arms. She yelped and held tightly to his neck. Ethan looked at Ryan and smiled. “I’ll be back for the other one.”

  Jayden’s eyes lingered on Ethan’s retreating form.

  Ryan tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “I’ll take Wren to bed so my fool brother doesn’t pull out his stitches carrying both of them.”

  “I can take Wren.”

  “No. You shouldn’t be carrying anyone either.” His ability with a sword was lacking. The others were picking up too much of his slack and getting hurt for it.

  Her forehead wrinkled. “You okay?”

  “Just worried about tomorrow,” he lied.

  “You’ll be fine.”

  “I know.” He scooped up Wren.

  Jayden smiled sadly. “I’ll be fine, too. I’ve got Logan and Ethan.”

  “I’ve seen them fight, but it doesn’t douse my worry.”

  “You haven’t seen anything. Ten men were after Ethan and me. He killed them all.”

  Killed. Ryan swallowed. The picture of the giant’s head flashed in his memory again. The ugly pockmarked face flying off the man’s neck with a stream of red following from it. The sickening way his sword hitched against the man’s neck bones before slicing through. Every night that vision haunted his dreams. Would he be able to kill again? Would it come to that?

  “It will.”

  “Ryan?” Jayden’s voice tore him away from his thoughts.

  He smiled at her; another lie. “Still, I’ll feel better when I’m with you.”

  “Me, too.” She kissed his cheek, and he took Wren to the tent.

  After he dropped his sister off, he headed away from everyone else and breathed the cool night air. He pulled the root from his pocket and snapped off a piece. That voice had to stop surprising him.

  The fire dwindled, and wolves howled a welcome to the deepest part of the night. Ryan wasn’t ready for it to end. Morning would bring change. Change he wasn’t sure he was ready to embrace. He popped the tiny piece of root into his mouth and someone behind him coughed. He whirled around. Logan.

  Ryan stood straighter.

  “You’ll be ready in the morning?” Logan asked.

  Ryan nodded.

  “Good. If you change your mind—”

  “I won’t.”

  Chapter 22

  Love You Most

  The sky was gray and cold. Ethan picked up his sack and nudged Ryan’s bed with his foot.

  Ryan rolled over and grumbled something.

  Ethan chuckled. “You deciding to stay after all?”

  “I’m up.” Ryan sat up and rubbed his eyes. “You realize it’s not even light?”

  Ethan tossed his brother a shirt. “Logan will be looking for ways to leave you behind, I’m sure.”

  “Are you?”

  Ethan stopped, hand almost to the tent flap. He faced Ryan, who was pulling on his boots. Why in all of Soleden would he ask that question? Of course Ethan would want his brother trained. Of course he would want Ryan to have the ability to defend himself. Of course . . . oh, of course.

  Jayden.

  Apparently he hadn’t done a very good job of hiding his feelings.

  Ethan cleared his throat. “I think you need to learn to protect your loved ones. I wouldn’t take that opportunity from you.”

  Ryan finished lacing his second boot and stood. He picked up his satchel. “Good. Because you need someone to protect you.” His lopsided grin filled his face. “You have this . . . thing for sacrificing yourself.”

  Ethan tried to laugh, but Ryan was more right than he probably knew. He lifted the tent flap and walked out. “Only for very special people.” Or as Jayden called them, very good friends.

  Ryan followed. “And I didn’t make the cut?”

  Ethan squeezed Ryan’s shoulder and smiled his best teasing smile. “Sorry, brother.”

  Ryan’s face turned serious, and he slapped his hand over Ethan’s, anchoring it down. “I never thanked
you. For saving my life. Twice.”

  Ethan shook his head. “You don’t need—”

  “I know. But thank you.” He patted Ethan’s hand, then walked forward to meet Logan and a couple of slump-shouldered redheads.

  Ethan swallowed. At least they would be safe here. And Ryan and Chloe would be safe with One Eye. Soon he’d have only Jayden to protect, and he’d protect her with his all.

  Saying goodbye to his sisters was harder than expected. Wren buried her face in his neck and hugged him tight. Kinsey stood in front of him, lips twisted in a half frown.

  He touched her chin. “Hey, what’s that for? Keep your head up.”

  Her lips quivered. She took a deep breath and steadied her breathing. “I love you most.”

  Ethan’s heart hitched when he heard the words their father had said to each of them every time he left for weeks to go to a different town for market.

  “You’re quite mistaken.” He offered the next line in the ritual.

  “It must be true. You’ve shed no tears.” Now she held the hint of a smile.

  “Oh, but inside my heart is breaking.”

  Her breathing quivered and she threw her arms around him. “I wanted to come with you.”

  “I’m sorry, Kinny.” He squeezed her close. “It’s too dangerous. But Samantha will train you. And you’ll be here.”

  “And you’ll come back?”

  How could he promise such a thing? “Of course.”

  He tilted up her chin again and her wet eyes met his. “Good. Because I never want to lose you again.”

  “You won’t.” Not if he could help it. “Now, you take care of the others, okay?”

  She nodded and wiped away her tears. “And you take care of Ryan and Chloe.”

  “Always.” He smiled, and that brought out the sparkle in her eyes. Then he turned to go. The others were already waiting.