Gabriel, unique? Doubtful.
Instead of showing her my disbelief, I ask a question. “How is he unique?”
“Well…” esteem fills her tone as she speaks. “…he joined the bloodstone army three summers ago, and he rose to first commander in only two summers. Most men take far longer to rise to such a lofty position.”
“Is he below a general?”
“Yes. He’s second to Luc.”
A sudden thought strikes me, so I voice it out loud. “How old is Gabriel?”
She laughs, the sound bubbly and full of mirth. “I thought you would have asked sooner. Gabriel is twenty-eight.”
Then, he’s eight summers older than me. Father was ten summers older than Mother.
“I think he hates me.”
She straightens and brushes breadcrumbs from her surcoat. “I’m sure he doesn’t hate you. He just doesn’t trust easily.”
“That’s wise.” Inwardly, I groan. Gabriel isn’t making this easy for me. “It’s better to be cautious.”
She digs the toe of her left boot into the sand. “Just give him time.”
“I will.”
I take a risk by asking a pointed question. “Have your people always visited the same Seer?”
“No. Not the same.”
I let the conversation end, even though more questions burn my tongue. Mostly, why would a Seer aid the Bloodstone? Later, when I have gained more of Kassandra’s confidence, I will ask more questions.
Leah approaches from a cluster of soldiers. She wears the same leather and mail armor. A broad sword hangs from her hip. Surprise ripples through me at the observation. As far as I can tell, there are no other woman soldiers in the camp.
The mercenary army I was in had many women soldiers. I doubt the Bloodstone do.
She stops in front of us and offers me a quick smile. “I want to personally thank you for saving my life.”
“Of course.” I return her smile as I continue. “I’m glad to see that you have fully recovered.
Using her left hand, Leah shades her face from the sun. “I have thanks to you.”
I glance at the warriors still moving around the camp, still packing for their journey. “Are you apart of the Bloodstone army?”
Humor sparks in Leah’s eyes. “Much to the chagrin of my brother. He would prefer I stay home, marry, and raise a bunch of brats.”
“But you don’t want that,” Kassandra says knowingly.
Leah shudders. “Absolutely not.”
As the two women join the bustle of activity, I stand near a tree with my satchel clutched close. Nobody seems to notice or care.
Kassandra looks out of place next to the soldiers, yet she weaves in and out of them, talking and laughing. Each one greets her with a smile.
As the sun rises higher in the sky, they finish packing and saddle their horses. My heart bangs against my ribs as I gaze at each wagon full of belongings and people. They didn’t leave any space for me.
I turn as a black gelding trots through the center of the camp, its lone rider the very man I wed myself to. Heat grips my chest as Gabriel’s rejection burns my pride.
Frustration boils inside me, festering the longer I watch him. I don’t show it, though. As Olah is my witness, I don’t show it.
