“I’m just saying…”
“What de Guillory blade?” Sabre asked. He carefully handed Eli his sword, and Eli felt a ring on his forefinger—the de Valois signet ring. It was the same one their father used to wear. Eli’s breath caught as Sabre drew away.
“Artie says I’m chasing shadows, but it’s supposed to be the same sword the first de Guillory king wore when he fought the first noble rebellion. But I don’t want to bore your family with that—maybe we can discuss it another time.”
“Yes, I’d love to, actually.” Sabre twisted the signet ring back and forth, and Eli almost fumbled as he sheathed his sword. He remembered running his thumb over that ring while his father read to him at night, tracing the marks that made their family crest. Did Sabre do that too?
“Well, I won’t keep you,” Rey said. “I just don’t know many people in the city, so it’s a surprise to actually run into someone.”
“You should stop by for coffee, then,” Rose said. “Hektor and I live on Dawnmeadow Street, in the house with the iron gate, if you don’t mind calling on disreputable actors.”
You aren’t even to look at Laurent de Rue,Eli’s mother had said, once, when they visited court.And his ‘sister’ isn’t any better, just a dirty orphan he picked up off the street.
So Eli had kept away. He’d noticed Rose the one time she appeared at court, standing alone in a corner while Eli and his friends whispered about her and her brother. She’d seemed sosmall and quiet, resolutely not looking at any of the nobles who stared at her or Laurent, and she’d never returned to court again.
“I—” Eli blushed as Sabre and Laurent both looked at him, Sabre’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I may not know much about nobility, Lady de Rue, but you don’t seem disreputable to me.”
“Now you must visit,” Rose said to Rey, eyes twinkling. “And bring your friend.”
“We’ll be sure to,” Rey said, taking her hands again. He bowed slightly to Laurent and Sabre, and Eli followed suit, well aware that his face was burning.
Eli turned on his heel before Rey was even done bowing.
“What a strangely formal swordsman for a noble to have,” he heard Rose say, as he fled.
“You’re doing well,” Rey whispered as he caught up, walking quickly at Eli’s side. “Keep it together for a few more minutes and we’ll be out of sight.”
“I touched his hands,” Eli said.
“Yes, I saw.”
“He didn’t recognize me.”
Rey grabbed Eli’s hand under the cloak again. “By design, Eli, remember? He doesn’t recognize you by design.”
Eli couldn’t answer. All that time, he’d agonized over what could happen. He’d stared at Sabre as though he could pry his mind open and read his thoughts, and Sabre had taken one look at Eli and asked about his sword.
Rey was right. Why would Sabre think Eli was alive, let alone a man? His last memory of Eli was of a teenager in a dress and long curls, hanging on the gallows. Why would Eli even want him to recall that when he had a true family now?
“We’ll have him recover the sword,” Eli said, as he turned down the main street. “I’ll deal with the king. Then I’ll leave.”
“Leave where?” Rey asked.
“I don’t know, anywhere. Out of his way.”
“Then leavebeforefighting the king. Don’t fight the king at all,” Rey said, walking backwards in front of Eli. “Stay with me and don’t finish the job. You can have food and shelter so long as I’m around.”
“It isn’t the same,” Eli said. “I have to do this, Rey. You said it yourself, who knows what he’d be capable of with his power restored?”
“It’s just that the way you’re saying it, it doesn’t sound like you really expect to survive. Just keeping out of the way isn’t a plan for a long life.”
Eli moved around Rey. How could he explain it? He already felt like he was on borrowed time. Now that he’d seen Sabre, happy and healthy with a new family that he belonged to, there wasn’t really any reason to stay longer than necessary. Part of him suspected that whatever magic kept him alive would stop when the King of the Hunt was gone. And that would be fine.
It looked like the world was already doing well without him.
Rey watchedEli disappear into the rental house. Clearly, seeing Sabre so soon had dredged up some uncomfortable memories. Eli seemed determined to believe that he was worthless, but Rey knew better than anyone that belief was malleable. He’d once convinced a baker in the north that he was a king for three glorious days, and the town he used to live in still elected temporary town kings once a year. Anyone could believe anything, but the force of their conviction didn’t magically make it true.
Rey stepped into the stable with Unicorn, who was having a grand time not having to haul a cart around for once, and he lethimself shift into his fox form. Some magic was easier to do that way, and he hadn’t donethistype of magic in a while.
