by Kaylin Lee
Drew shut his book and scampered into the tunnel’s entrance, leaving us alone.
I swished the dust and leaves into a neat pile in the far corner. “What about Anton? What does the double-axe mean?”
“The enduring servant.”
“That’s what Damian said, but I don’t understand what that means.”
“It’s an old legend in the Badlands.” Si grabbed his knife from the sheath and sharpened it. “From way back in the days before the Kireth invaded, when the whole land was fertile and the Fenra people lived in peace and perfection, eating rainbows for breakfast.”
I couldn’t help laughing at his version of Fenra history. It wasn’t all that different from what the official Asylian history books taught, though I’d never dared joke about it as openly as Si just had. “You don’t think things were really so great before the Kireth came here?”
“I think I know what people are like,” Si said quietly, his humor fading. “Fenra or Kireth, magical or not. There have always been vulnerable people, and there have always been people willing to take what they can from those unable to fight back.”
The idea was uncomfortable, but could I really argue that Asylia—with its stability, wealth, and Fenra-controlled government—was free of such abuse? Lady Althea had sent me out of the city, nearly to my death, at the threat of rumors alone, and there’d been no possibility of protection from the court of law. How many times had powerful people like Lady Althea gotten away with such despicable acts?
I returned the broom to its hook. “What does that have to do with the enduring servant?”
“The old legend I mentioned.” Si gave the blade a final, decisive stroke, then set it on the table. “In the days before the Kireth invasion, there were men called Servants. They took a vow to protect those who could not protect themselves, even at the cost of life or limb. Some Servants spent their whole adult lives as itinerant protectors, never giving up the mission, even after losing eye, arm, or leg to the fighting. They just kept going as long as they had breath, always willing to heed the cry of someone in need of help.
“These days, there’s nothing so organized as an order of fighters like there used to be. But there are still those who choose to bear the mark of the Servant—the double-axe tattoo. It’s a lifelong choice, to lay down one’s life for those in need, whether by labor or by the blade.”
“But Anton …” He’d only been thirteen when he’d begun the tattoo. No, no, no. “How could Edward let him do that?” My throat felt raw.
“It’s Anton’s choice to make,” Si said curtly. “And Edward gave him the past three years to be certain of his choice.”
I wanted to be hurt at the brusque words but had a feeling he was speaking to himself. I scrubbed the bowl in my hand harder than necessary. “Is that why Anton always saves the smallest portion of victus for himself?”
“Stefan and Drew will live to adulthood because of him.” Si finally slid the knife back into its sheath and pushed it away. “It’s an honor,” he said, his voice hard, and I was reminded of how he’d greeted Anton’s choice the previous night. “An honor. Even … even if it doesn’t feel like one to me.”
“Oh, Si.” I couldn’t help it. I dried my hands, stepped to his side, and wrapped my arms around him, careful not to let any of my instinctive healing magic drift toward the fresh tattoo on his back.
He was still for a moment before his arms came around me, tugging me closer with equal insistence. “An honor,” he mumbled into my shoulder.
“I know.” I rubbed my hand over his hair, then I squeezed him tight. “He’s a good man. Just like you. You did well with him, Si.”
Si didn’t respond, but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. For a moment, he seemed to truly relax into my embrace.
“Are you kissing her?”
I pulled out of Si’s arms, my face on fire. Drew’s head poked out of the tunnel entrance. “No! Of course not, Drew. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Si stood and clipped his knife into place at his belt, shaking his head and smiling as he did so. “’Course not. She said I have to ask her dad first.”
Drew squinted at me. “Really?”
I shoved Si’s arm none too gently. “That’s not what I said,” I hissed.
Si raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with humor. “Oh, it’s not? Interesting.”
Drew glanced from Si to me, looking suspicious. “Then what—”
“Got to head out.” Si stretched comfortably, like he hadn’t just completely embarrassed me, then he scooped up his bulging pack. “Gotta sell what rations we’ve got and see if I can bag some dinner for tonight.”
Drew clambered out of the tunnel, landing on his feet like a cat.
“Where are you selling the rations?” I asked.
“There’s a trading post half a day’s walk from the Hollow. Plenty of men stop by for supplies. If the merchant won’t take them, one of them might.”
“Men …” I twisted the end of my braid in my fingers and chewed on my lip. “Bandits? Or regular Badlanders?”
Si’s lips twitched. “Why do you want to know?”
The locket felt cold and heavy on my chest. “Um …” Perhaps I can convince one of them to fall in love with my sister. I couldn’t bring myself to say the words out loud. “Are they good men?” I persisted. I held Si’s gaze, feeling my cheeks heat. “Like you and Damian? The kind of men who might be worthy of my … my sister?”
Drew’s eyebrows shot up. “Is she a fair maiden like you?”
“She’s a fair maiden.” I couldn’t help smiling at his excitement. “But she’s nothing like me.”
Si studied me with a knowing look. “Damian and I used to be bandits, too, you know,” he said slowly.
I lifted my chin. “You know what I mean.”
He nodded once. “Suppose I do. And yes, there may be one or two decent ones at the trading post.”
“That’s all I need to hear.” I slid my feet into my borrowed boots and slid my arms through the rolled-up sleeves of Si’s jacket. “I’m coming with you.”
“What if I was planning to wear that jacket?” Si grumbled.
“She can keep you warm with her magic,” Drew said helpfully. “Alba can do anything.”
“Fine, fine.” Si kept scowling but helped me up into the tunnel without argument, his touch gentle but firm.
“See you tonight.” Drew waved, beaming at us when I glanced over my shoulder. He called down the tunnel when we were almost through. “And I hope I can meet your sister someday!”
So do I, Drew. So do I.
Chapter 27
Si set a brisk pace to the trading post. I used a bit of magic to give my legs enough energy to keep up. I hoped he didn’t notice my panting breaths as I tried to argue him into letting me search for Bri’s true love alone.
“What if I wait for you there? While you hunt?”
“Out of the question.”
“It would give me time to talk to someone about Bri. Maybe he’s there, Si. He could be anywhere in the Badlands. I know, I know. But what if … if there is any chance he’s there, I have to try to find him, right?”
“No. Too risky. Someone from the Hollow could find you. What if Althea’s guards hired someone to replace me?”
I hadn’t thought of that. But I couldn’t expect to break Bri’s curse without taking a few risks, could I? “But what if there is game nearby? I’m sure it’d be easier for you to hunt if I didn’t tag along.”
“I wasn’t planning to hunt, not now that you’re coming with me.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “But …”
He raised an eyebrow. “Figured it was obvious. You’re not a hunter. You’re a healer. I distinctly remember you reminding me of that the other day. Something about healing a sweet, cuddly squirrel. Remember?”
“I remember. But I think the victus rations at the mine got decreased again. No one said anything, but lately …”
Si flinched. “You’re right
.” He ran a hand over his face. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice.”
“There has been less lately than when I first arrived.” Perhaps I shouldn’t have insisted Si take me out with him. I should have guessed he couldn’t hunt with me. “Your brothers’ rations from the mine were already stretched thin, and they’ve been splitting their portions with us for several days. I’m sorry, Si. I shouldn’t have come out here. Is it too late to turn back? I could go back alone while you go hunt.”
He shook his head, his lips in a flat, grim line. “Not a chance, Alba. You can’t go through the woods around the cave alone, not if Althea is looking for you again.”
I shuddered. “So, what do we do?”
Si looked straight ahead, his gaze distant. “We see who’s at the trading post,” he said at last, sounding frustrated. “And then we decide what to do.”
The sky was still gray when we reached the small, lopsided wooden structure that served as the trading post, but from the slight increase in brightness overhead, I guessed it had to be midday or close to it.
A man with a paunchy belly and a greasy, black beard waved from the sagging porch. When we climbed the creaky steps, he shook Si’s hand and leaned in close. “Well, look at that. It’s the Ghost himself. Been a long time, kid. We thought maybe you boys met your end in that nasty mine.”
Si shifted uncomfortably. “Guess you got it wrong, Lou.” He patted his pack. “Looking to unload some rations. You buying?”
The man jerked his head toward the open door. “Wife’ll take a look inside. She’ll make the call.”
The interior of the trading post was dim, with limited light filtering through the dirty windows between cluttered shelves that lined the walls. A few rickety tables occupied the center of the room, and several men lounged there, tossing jibes back and forth over huge, steaming mugs of coffee.
An older woman sat in the corner, her legs up on a stool and a worn novel with the cover missing held up in front of her face.
Si scanned the room, then he put a hand on my arm. “I’ll make the sale then scout out the area. Lou and his wife are a little rough around the edges, but my parents trusted them, and so far, I have too,” he said quietly, close to my ear. “If you’re willing to stay here, I’ll try and chase down what I can and be back in an hour.”
I nodded up at him. “You trust me to stay out of trouble on my own? Wow. I’m honored.”
He scowled. “I hope I don’t regret it, Princess.” He squeezed my arm then left to approach the woman in the corner.
I browsed the odds and ends on the shelves along the walls, listening to the men’s conversation and plotting my approach. I had to seem friendly, not flirtatious, or they’d get the wrong idea. Mysterious, but not dangerous. And how could I describe Bri in a way that would make them truly fall in love with her, with enough power to break the curse?
Si nodded to me as he left the trading post, his pack significantly smaller in size. I hoped that was a good sign. “Be back soon.”
I waved, fiddling with my braid as I watched him walk out the door. Time to begin my own hunt. I edged closer to the likeliest-looking candidates, three young men who sat at the table nearest me. I licked my lips and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. It was a good thing I’d never been one to lack confidence, wasn’t it?
“Finding anything you like?” The blond young man at the table gave me a charming smile. “I can get you a discount. The owner’s a friend.”
I cocked my head, trying not to look too triumphant. It was just as I’d sensed would happen—they’d been waiting for Si to leave before they attempted to flirt with me. I would figure out exactly what that meant later.
“Bit of a stretch, isn’t it?” A bearded, ruddy-skinned man elbowed the first man. “The mistress threatened to shoot him last week, she was so sick of his bargaining.” He looked me up and down appreciatively. “But if you see anything you like, I’d be happy to—”
“Oh, you idiots.” Their dark-haired friend rolled his eyes, stood, and poured a mug of coffee at the table by the wall. He brought it to me and winked. “Welcome to the trading post, gorgeous. Have some coffee.”
I took it, wrapping my hands around the hot, ceramic vessel. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
“So.” The man shoved his hands in his pockets. “Want to join us while you wait for your … brother? Cousin? Friend?”
“Friend,” I said, although the word sounded funny once I spoke it. “Actually, I’m here looking for something special.”
“Told you!” The blond man looked annoyed. “What do you need, beautiful? We’ll help you find it.”
“Not what. Whom.” I sipped my coffee and hoped the statement was enticingly mysterious, rather than insane. “My twin sister needs a bit of romance in her life. I’m looking for a likely candidate.”
The dark-haired man laughed and ran a hand through his hair, tossing a bemused glance over his shoulder at his friends. “Your sister, huh? She a prize, or a trap?”
“She’s beautiful and kind. A prize, of course.”
The bearded man rubbed the back of his neck. “Your twin? Does she look just like you?”
I shook my head. “Nothing like me. Golden hair, tan skin, tall and strong.” I gestured to my own petite, curvy frame and heaved a self-deprecating sigh, drawing a chuckle from the three men as the dark-haired one returned to his seat. “She’s stunning, though. In her own way.”
“They why doesn’t she already have a beau?”
Because she’s been under a curse since we were thirteen years old. “I don’t know,” I said slowly, twisting the end of my braid with my fingers. “But I think it’s because we live in Asylia.”
The young, blond man smirked, but his eyes crinkled with good humor. “And why would that be a problem?” he asked, all innocence.
“I think Asylian men might be intimidated by her,” I said at last. “And I don’t think any of them interest her. But you Badlanders, on the other hand …” I walked along the display shelves and feigned a casual disinterest, though I was certain they were preening from my comment. “Perhaps she would be intrigued.” I lifted a shoulder, like it was truly a great mystery. “You never know where love will strike, do you? I just want to find her a man who is worthy of her interest.”
Heat fluttered in the locket, warming my skin. The fragment of Bri’s glove must be working! My pulse raced. I turned sideways so I could see them out of the corner of my eye.
“So, tell us more,” the blond man said, leaning forward slightly, his brow wrinkled. “What’s she like? Besides tougher than the average Asylian guy?”
“She’s very smart.” It took all my effort to make the words sound casual. I picked up a woven shirt and pretended to inspect the stitching. “Growing up, she read constantly. She was never afraid of schoolwork like I was. But whenever she had the chance to be out, taking risks and having adventures instead of curling up with a book like me, she took it. She’s fearless.”
“Maybe she’s too tough for me.” The ruddy-skinned man with the beard laughed sheepishly. “I like to read too, but I’m just a woodsman. A girl like that would be bored with me in a week.”
Whoops. But I couldn’t backtrack now. They had to fall in love with her as she truly was, didn’t they? Otherwise, the love wouldn’t be true enough to break the curse. “She certainly seems tough,” I said carefully. “But when someone she loves needs comfort or help, she’ll drop everything to be there, to wrap her arms around them. She’s strong, when she needs to be. But beneath that toughness, she’s the warmest, most loving sister I ever could have wanted.”
A wrenching wave of grief ran through my chest, threatening to cut off my breath. My sister. How could I have let her suffer under this curse alone? How could I not have known something was wrong?
I pressed a hand to my chest, hoping to ease the pressure, but it didn’t help. “I believe the man who wins her heart will win the kind of love and loyalty he would never have dared dream
of,” I finished, the tightness in my chest making it difficult to raise my voice above a whisper. “She will be his greatest treasure.”
The locket gave a distinct pulse of warmth, and then another. “I’d like to meet her,” said the blond man.
The dark-haired man nudged the first man. “Me first. He’s too busy hunting to court a woman. I’m a trader. I’ll win her heart while he’s still chasing down dinner.”
The ruddy-cheeked man laughed, and the locket pulsed with warmth again. “That’s if I don’t woo her with my poetry first.” He winked at me. “Ladies like a man with heart, isn’t that right? Muscles and heart. That’s what my sisters tell me.”
I took a deep breath. Excitement whirled through me, a swarm of crazed butterflies, but the hardest part was about to come. “That’s part of the fun,” I said, sending them a mysterious glance over my shoulder. “You must fall in love with her first. Before you can woo her.”
The blond man frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Before you can meet her, I mean. You have to fall in love with her—real, deep, true love—first. And only then can you begin to woo her.”
The locket cooled. My hands grew damp with sweat. No! “Just let me tell you a little bit more!” My voice was pleading. I paused and slid my hands into Si’s jacket pockets, tried to regain a semblance of confidence, but the faster the locket cooled, the quicker my calm fled.
“Sorry, Miss.” The bearded man smiled kindly as he stood and buckled the top of his pack. “She sounds lovely. But I’m not falling in love with an invisible girl. That’s not how it works, not for me, anyway.”
I wanted to rip the locket from my neck and shove it in his face. He’d been genuinely moved by my description of Bri, or it wouldn’t have warmed! One of them had been, at least. But I didn’t need to grip the locket now to know that any trace of warmth was gone. The worthless trinket fastened around my neck was suddenly as heavy as a boulder. “I understand.” I shrugged, like his response didn’t faze me. The other two men stood as well.
The dark-haired man nodded to me and followed the first outside, but the blond man leaned closer and grinned. “I could fall for you, though. You’re definitely not invisible. Just tell me where you’re staying, and I’ll call on you tomorrow.”