Page 21 of Keeper of the Word

Hux stared at her.

She was unsettled by the way his dark eyes roved her face. And by how it warmed her. “Are you listening?”

“Not entirely.”

Her mouth dropped open at his ill manners.

“But goddesses of the moon, you are beautiful, aren’t you? I may switch creeds.”

With that, Hux added more twigs to his stack. Elanna recovered and followed likewise.

Impertinent man.

She had a bundle in her arms before she stung herself with a sliver of wood. Wincing, she dropped it, droplets of blood issuing from her fingertip.

“Well, we cannot have that,” Hux said, taking her hand. With deftness, he plucked out the splinter before holding her finger at eye level to gauge if there was more. His hands were rough, different than she’d expected. Although she’d had so few men touch her, she didn’t know what she expected.

She drew away her hand. “My thanks.”

“I would say the pleasure was mine, but I’d take no pleasure in seeing you harmed.” He cracked a grin and strode in the direction of camp. “Come, I smell food.”

“What of the kindling?” she said, following him.

“Oh, sweet lady, this was merely a diversion.”

“A diversion from what? I wished to be of help!” Elanna jerked him by the shoulder to face her. “I was in earnest. I can collect firewood, same as anyone.”

“I believe you. But since you’re not expected to, why bother? I certainly would not.” A far-off look was in his eyes. “And did not, come to think of it. Shall we?”

Elanna had little time to ponder her interaction with Hux. He was so contrary in the most unusual, well-mannered way. With Sir Tolvar and the other knights, she knew what to expect. This Deogolian was something entirely new. She ignored the stinging sensation that she clearly didn’t know how to interact with others. And ’twas evident to her now that, of course, they would think her incapable.

At camp, Tolvar and Joss were arguing.

“She’s to go nowhere with him alone,” Tolvar said.

“Aye, sir, I heard you the first time,” Joss returned.

Elanna raised an eyebrow. Were they speaking of her?

Hux laughed. “Oi. Can we duel or throw knives or whatever will make you cease this incessant mistrust of me?”

Tolvar’s mouth was a grim, firm line.

Hux rolled his eyes and unsheathed his sword. Tolvar unsheathed his in return.

“M’lord!” Joss put herself between their drawn weapons.

“Look upon my sword, Lord Wolf,” Hux said, raising the steel blade above his head. “It has been used to defend my men. Your men.” He stepped back, collecting himself. “Defendyou, stars curse you. And do not forget, defend Sloane.”

Sloane.That name, recently celebrated as the Unsung hero, drove a chill up Elanna’s spine. Sloane was not a hero in a tale to these two men. She was someone they’d known. Known well. Someone for whom these two grieved.

But there was more than that. Elanna Saw a flash of fog, dried leaves, and a full yellow moon. Sloane was gone from this world. And yet, there were details about her that Elanna’s Sight had tapped. Something that still entwined the Unsung with what Elanna had Seen in Tolvar’s fortune.

Another flash.Something small. Black. Stone-like. With a crack.

Elanna came to, only to realize that everyone stared at her. Stars, she was so unaccustomed to being around those who were not her sister StarSeers or the household members who ran Aura Hall.

“Lady Elanna?” Hux had his hand gently pressed to her forearm; in his other hand, he still held his sword.