Page 19 of Keeper of the Word

“M’lady, you know not the half of it.”

Chapter

Ten

ELANNA

When she had not budged, Gus and Barrett attempted to grab her forearms, but her scream drove them back. She was not accustomed to touch, and certainly, she was not accustomed to force.

“Do not do that again,” Elanna said, surprised by her tone of anger—another thing she was not accustomed to. Aye, there were visions she Saw that drew out that emotion, but they were of the indignant sort, the pitying sort, the compassionate sort. StarSeers had no reason to feel anger on behalf of themselves.

The two knights shrunk away, but the Wolf stepped forward.

“Do not make this more difficult for any of us. Yourself included.” He extended an arm, and ’twas Elanna’s turn to shrink back. “Lady Tara does not have my affinity, but you must understand that I am a knight of my word. Mayhap when you return to Ashwin, you can speak to your sisters about what you think you’ve Seen.”

Think.The man didn’t know how he insulted her with that remark. StarSeers were not questioned. Ever. Why else did they live as they did? Away from the rest of the world, unbiased, unscathed.

Mayhap there was still a way to convince him they needed to goto Asalle as they rode back to Ashwin. Although she’d already said too much. What the stars had shown Elanna was not yet to be shared with others at will. And there was much she still did not understand.

But if Tara had Seen them enter Ashwin together, then Elanna was certainly right about one thing. The Wolf stood in front of her exactly as the stars planned. He’d been broughthereto helpher. Even if he was yet unaware of it. Elanna Saw too many flashes of danger before her, but she couldn’t See everything.

Trust the stars. Always.

Shewouldconvince him.

“Very well. Yet on one condition. And I require your word. For as you say, you keep it.”

Tolvar tilted his head in curiosity.

“I must have your word that you will stay in Ashwin for five days after we’ve returned. That you will not leave until that time has elapsed.” He clenched and unclenched his jaw, clearly thinking. “As my guest,” Elanna added.

“Oh ho!” Hux said. “Do tell me that means we shall be able to leave our quarters.”

Tolvar glared at Hux, but when he refocused on her, he wasn’t entirely scowling. “Why?”

“Just give me your word.”

“I do not suppose StarSeers hold banquets?” Hux asked, making Tolvar barkveryunfriendly words back.

Elanna studied Hux, his dark hair slightly shaggier than the other men, his eyes carefree. She still wasn’t quite certain what to make of the Deogolian man. By now, she’d Seen something of the others’ fortunes, but when she regarded him, there was nothing.

“Not to my recollection,” Elanna returned, making Hux’s shoulders drop.

Tolvar scratched his beard, deciding. “And what if your sisters do not share your offer of hospitality?”

“They cannot deny what I ask. Despite what you may think, the Five are equals in our rule.” She almost flinched at how she’d said “rule.” StarSeers didn’t rule anything. They served. Theyadvised. They prayed. They spent hours in council meetings with members of the Order of Siria discussing what they Saw. Elanna had never considered herself a ruler of any kind. How could one so isolated presume to rule? But the word had made the Wolf give pause. And shewasaccustomed to a reaction like that, at least.

A world away from anything and a world away from where I started.

What would Daved think of that?

“So long as Lady Tara does not command us away, you have my word. Five days.”

Elanna nodded. Shewouldconvince him.

After she’d gainedTolvar’s promise to stay in Ashwin for five days, Elanna had been confident in her skill to convince him of how crucial, nay, how critical journeying to Asalle—the whole of the Capella Realm depended on it—was when they returned to Ashwin. But once they set off, it dawned on her how impossible ’twould be to leave once she was behind the gates again.

Kyrie would lecture her. Casta would guilt her. And Tara would simply place her under guard. StarSeers did not leave Ashwin.