The Hollow Crown by Wheeler Jeff

Author:Wheeler, Jeff
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503943964
Publisher: 47North
Published: 2017-06-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Spurned

It wasn’t long before Trynne’s embarrassment and discomfort melted away in the face of Fallon’s personality. He could chase away a thunderstorm with one of his witty sayings and a smile. It was clear he was quite at home amongst the Espion and that he and Morwenna had become closer. But it was equally clear that he was grateful for whatever tides of fate had brought Trynne to his table.

“So your mother sent you to Marq to fetch a dusty book,” Fallon said, stroking his chin. “And you brought Captain Staeli—the stouthearted Westmarcher—as your guardian. Can’t argue with the choice—the man is all ice and iron. Welcome, Captain!”

Staeli shrugged off the younger man’s exuberance with narrow eyes, ignoring him utterly, and headed to the periphery of the room to speak in low tones with some of the Espion gathered there.

Fallon smirked at the snub and leaned forward, thumping the table with his elbow. “Cousin, Cousin, Cousin, so you didn’t come to Marq to watch me face the Gauntlet. I’m crushed. Truly. But how did you find Morwenna? You look like a local girl,” he added, tugging at the garter around her elbow, then letting it snap back against her arm. She pulled her arm away from him.

“I found her,” Morwenna added with a sly grin, “chasing after the thief Dragan.”

Fallon startled, sitting up, his expressive eyes widening. “Truly? The blackguard is here?”

Trynne nodded. “I felt his magic and he felt mine. I don’t think he realized whom he had stumbled upon until he saw me from the window of the bookshop. He fled when Captain Staeli and I went after him.”

“Of course he did!” Fallon said, his brow wrinkling. “Now there’s a man I’d like to drown in the Deep Fathoms. So he took one look at you and tucked tail and ran.” He shook his head. “Well, if I run into him, then I’ll be sure to punch him in the mouth for you. Ere I turn him in to the Espion for greater tortures.” He reached out and playfully pushed her shoulder. “I can’t believe you are here. I hadn’t expected it.”

“I knew you were here,” Trynne said, giving him an arch look.

“A lucky guess, perhaps?”

She screwed up her nose. “No, your sister told me.”

“So you’ve been to the palace recently? How fares Genny? I’ve not seen either of you in months!”

“She is in excellent health,” Trynne replied. Her stomach was still a little giddy, but each moment with him made her feel more at ease. “There are many cares at the moment.”

“Aren’t there always? People worry too much about things they cannot control. Never greet a devil till you meet one or cross a bridge before you’ve reached it. Ten times out of nine things aren’t as bad as we fear them to be.”

“Don’t you mean nine times out of ten?” Morwenna quipped.

“That’s how I heard it originally,” Fallon said, giving her a wicked smile. “But every saying can bear a little improvement. So, Cousin,” he said, addressing Trynne again.

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