False Dawn: Ageless Mysteries - Book 2 by Vanessa Nelson

Author:Vanessa Nelson [Nelson, Vanessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-27T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Thea half-dozed for the journey across the city to her mother’s house, the horse under her steady and calm. Perhaps he was tired, too.

They arrived outside her mother’s house in the deep night, when the streets around were empty. All the working folk would be tucked up in their beds, getting much-needed rest before another day’s labour. Even the taverns were closing.

Thea slid off Hern’s back and landed on the ground with a thump that jarred her teeth and set off the pain across her back again.

The side gate to the house opened, and her mother stepped into the street, lantern in hand. Her human eyes needed the extra light.

“Thea, I thought that was you. You’re hurt. What happened?” her mother asked, lifting the lantern so that she could see Thea’s face and Thea could see the concern on her mother’s face.

Caroline March had worried when her daughter chose to join the Watch. But it was safer, by far, than being Conscripted. And the Watch did not normally get badly hurt. There were no bladed weapons allowed within the city, a rule that very, very few people ever tried to break. No one with any sense wanted to risk the Ageless’ wrath. And the Watch’s uniforms had some basic protections built in. So injuries were usually minor. The occasional bruise or bloody nose from trying to break up a brawl, or a domestic argument. Injuries that took even humans only a few days to recover from.

“A floor gave way under me,” Thea said. “Nothing broken.”

Her mother had seen the other two by now, and Thea watched her expression change from surprise to curiosity.

“This is Mage Niath and Sam,” Thea said. “This is my mother. Caroline March.”

“Mistress March,” Niath said, putting his hand on his heart and bowing, even from horseback. “It’s an honour to meet you.”

“Thank you. And thank you for escorting my daughter home. Won’t you come in for some tea?”

Niath glanced at Thea, clearly startled by the question. Her mouth twitched in a smile.

“We like visitors in this house,” Thea told him. “There’s space for the horses through the gate, and they’ll be safe on their own there, if Sam wants some tea as well.”

“That’s kind of you, miss, but I’ll stay with the horses,” Sam said, getting off his horse and holding his hand out for Thea’s reins.

“If you’re sure, then,” her mother said. “Thea, why don’t you show Sam where the water pump is for the horses. Niath, why don’t you come with me.”

Niath meekly followed Thea’s mother, whose head did not reach his shoulder, into the house, while Thea held the gate open to let Sam into the garden, closing the gate behind the horses. She lit the lantern that hung just inside the gate and showed Sam the water pump and old trough as well as a bench he could rest on if he wanted.

The groom was looking at the stretch of garden ahead of him. He took in a long, deep breath, and smiled.

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