Flames by Abigail Hilton

Author:Abigail Hilton [Hilton, Abigail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction, device
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19. No Claws

Most species of fauns have two breeding seasons a year—around the last yellow month in fall and again at the end of spring. In most cases, these are the only times of year females can become pregnant, although biological mishaps do occur. Most panauns have only one breeding season in fall or winter.

—Gwain, The Non-grishnards of Wefrivain

They walked without speaking for several moments. Finally, Silveo said, “I told you he was one of my bad habits.”

“You did,” agreed Gerard.

Silveo walked with his head down, not looking up. “He’s not a bad sort, though, really.”

No, thought Gerard. He’s just a mostly selfish sort.

“I sailed with him off and on over several years when I was a teenager. He was a royal privateer during Sern’s little war with Merdant on the coast of the Lawless Lands. Then he worked for a few of the Small Kingdoms, harrying whomever they were at war with. He did some freelancing, too. He was a successful pirate, never got caught, brought a lot of his own crew to the Sea Watch. He came here because of me.”

So the crew of the Dark Wind are a lot of criminals. Lovely.

“He’s never been unkind, and generally he stops when I say stop.”

Generally. After the third or fourth time.

“He’s put up with a lot from me, including the sort of thing I just did.”

Gerard was trying hard to understand and failing. “Silveo, what I saw was him taking advantage of you when you were tired and unhappy. I don’t think you’re all that good at saying no.”

Silveo bristled. “What business is it of yours, Oh Happily Married One?”

Gerard held up his hands. “It’s not. I’m sorry.” But you’re the one who brought it up.

Silveo said nothing, didn’t even tell him not to apologize. Gerard tried to think of something to lighten the mood. “I do admire your ability to concentrate. I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to carry on a coherent conversation with Thess doing anything like that to me.”

Silveo didn’t look up. “When you grow up a full-time rent boy, you learn to multi-task.”

Gerard winced.

Silveo raised his eyes with a bitter smile. “Gerard, you know what I am. You knew it from the moment you laid eyes on me. Please stop looking like you swallowed a lemon every time I say it.”

Gerard stopped walking. Every time your guard’s down, every time you feel overwhelmed or miserable, this thing in your past rises up and threatens to swallow you. Silveo had gotten several steps ahead of him and turned to look back. Gerard looked at him, really looked at him—with blood on his sleeve that he still hadn’t tried to wash off, his kohl a little smeared, a bruise on his neck where Basil had kissed him too hard. He was thinner than he’d been when they’d left Lecklock, and he was carrying his tail lower than usual. You got me out of a bad place today. Then, in that restaurant… I should have tried to get you out.

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