Page 12 of Keeper of the Word (The Unsung and the Wolf Duology #2)

“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. “Defend you , 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.

“I am well.” She offered a close-lipped smile in hopes it seemed convincing. “I am afraid that being a StarSeer comes with the detriment of…inattention at times.”

“All the more reason we must return you to Ashwin,” Tolvar said, sheathing his sword.

Joss crossed her arms, but her shoulders trembled.

“M’lord, if I may, Gus, Barrett, and I are your true knights.

You need seek no further than we three to find loyalty to you.

Tell us who this new man-at-arms is.” She inclined her head in Hux’s direction.

“You have brought him amongst us, and yet ’tis clear you mistrust him.

How are we to guard you, not to mention Lady Elanna, if you’ve brought a fox into our midst? ”

“Fox, you say?” Hux’s grin returned as he, too, sheathed his sword. “Nay. I dispatched a fox. Tell them, Tolvar. So they might hear it from your own lips.”

Tolvar’s fingers grazed his hilt. “Hux.” His voice was little more than a growl.

“You need not vex them with a melancholy tune, but mayhap you’re in need of a reminder yourself that I’ve earned your trust.”

Tolvar focused on the scabbard at his side. “This man saved my life in Deogol.” He hesitated. “From Crevan.”

Joss gasped. Barrett dropped the spoon he held.

“Crevan? He is alive?” Gus managed to get out.

“Was alive,” Hux supplied.

Tolvar’s face screwed up in what Elanna couldn’t tell—agony, rage, desolation?

“We know not for certain that he’s dead,” Tolvar finally said. “His body was not recovered after the Befallen was destroyed.”

Tolvar and Hux shared an expression of understanding between them before Tolvar averted his gaze.

Elanna searched her mind. Crevan. Could she See the fortune of a man called Crevan? Her thoughts remained blank. So she asked, “Who is Crevan?”

’Twas clear that everyone else knew, but no one offered any words. Tolvar’s eyes were trained downward.

“My brother. Four years ago, he…betrayed our family. My father was killed. Many were killed.” Tolvar paused. Every word obviously pained him.

“Countess Pamella. She was killed.” Elanna said the words without realizing she did.

Tolvar fixed his eyes on her.

“I remember.” ’Twas Elanna’s turn to gaze upon the ground. “Your bride-to-be. She was King Rian’s cousin. Of course. The sovereign sent angry messages to Ashwin. He wished to know why we did not stop it. Why we did not See it.”

Tolvar snorted. “That counts two of us.”

“We grieved for Askella. For the sovereign. We do not choose what we See.”

A palpable pause followed.

“Nevertheless, in the Battle for Sloane,” Hux resumed his explanation. “’Twas discovered that the leader of the Brones, the band of villains who attempted to wield the Befallen’s powers by unburying the Curse of Adri?—”

Elanna’s eyes widened. To speak the word “Adrienne” was forbidden.

“Well, the Curse, you know. The Curse,” Hux finished before clearing his throat. “We learned the leader was Tolvar’s brother.”

Again, the three knights did not hide their surprise.

“Siria’s skirt,” Gus whispered.

“That is enough about Crevan.” Tolvar’s gaze on Hux was not hostile. “Joss, Gus, Barrett, as much as you may trust me”—he thrust his hands into his pockets and sighed—“you may trust in Hux. Finish preparations and do not wait for me to eat. I’m in need of solitude.”