Cracks on the Lake: Book Two of the Mending Wars by B. J. Beck

Author:B. J. Beck [Beck, B. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brass Crab Books
Published: 2018-11-20T07:00:00+00:00

~ 12 ~

Captive Audience

It had taken a little over an hour for Kae to return from the garrison wearing a smaller tabard, and she entered their room without even thinking of knocking. Fortunately, Lerric was still behind the screen, and she could see the back of his head over its top edge. He appeared to be fastening his collar, presumably as he looked in a mirror that she couldn’t see.

“You made it,” he said at the sound of her entry.

“Yes,” she replied. “One of the men in the infirmary graciously offered to help me out, since he’s wounded for the duration. You should take a walk down to their soldiers’ barracks when you have a chance, Lerric, it’s rather impressive. Not only are the facilities quite clean, there’s an open courtyard for training, and even a sizable field near the stables for equestrian drills, all within the outer wall.”

Lerric finished with his collar and tugged his tunic down as he inspected himself a final time.

“I’m going to see if I can get a tour tomorrow,” he said. “It’s been years since I was here last, and these palaces all run together in one’s memory. Will you be back on duty by then?”

Kae nodded and began to answer, but her words died on her lips when Lerric stepped out from behind the dressing screen and into view.

He had changed into a set of clothes she hadn’t seen before, which wasn’t unusual on its face, but this outfit was clearly of the highest quality out of all he’d worn. His hip-length tunic was of a gray color so light it was almost white, and the shade was obviously chosen to accent the Demisci’s skin and hair perfectly. Its brocade fabric had an odd soft look to it like suede, but at the same time it had no nap, so Kae couldn’t figure out how the effect was achieved. The sleeves were fitted. It had almost an outrageously high, tight collar, and the clasps on its front were polished silver. The tailoring was impeccable and accentuated Lerric’s square shoulders and slim waist, making him look more muscular than Kae knew him to be, while it simultaneously played up his natural lithe shape. His pants and boots were just a few shades darker, and both were subtly embroidered with silver thread. As always, he didn’t have a hair out of place and it was tied behind his head to show off his facial features to their maximum potential. Kae couldn’t argue that the whole result was literally breathtaking, for, after staring for several seconds, she realized she hadn’t exhaled. She caught her breath and swallowed.

“Holy gods,” she gasped.

Just as she believed he couldn’t be more striking, that perfect smile came to Lerric’s face, and he walked up to her.

“My official garb,” he said, and he took Kae’s hands in his. “I take it you approve. Kiss me.”

That last statement caught Kae by surprise.

“What?” she said. “Why?”

Lerric’s smile faded, and he leaned in to her.

“Because you look as if you want to,” he whispered.

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