Gilded Serpent by Danielle L. Jensen

Author:Danielle L. Jensen [Jensen, Danielle L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250317780
Google: Fs_dDwAAQBAJ
Amazon: B0879H62NP
Publisher: Tor Teen
Published: 2021-04-26T23:00:00+00:00

* * *

She spent a good portion of the rest of the day in the healing tents, the endless work a blessed distraction. But just as it was starting to get dark, Sonia appeared.

“Hungry?” the young woman asked.

Lydia had no appetite, but knew she needed to eat, so she nodded, washing her hands and then following Sonia out of the tent. They joined a queue of waiting soldiers, accepting plates heaped with fresh bread, grilled meat, and steaming vegetables, along with cups of foaming ale.

“Why didn’t you go with the rest of Malahi’s guard to work for the High Lady?” she asked once they’d found a spot to sit and eat, the fading sun still warm.

“Didn’t feel right to leave him.” Sonia took a bite of bread, chewing thoughtfully. “Killian won a great victory, but between Malahi’s presumed death and your departure with Quindor, he felt far from victorious. It might have been endurable if Serrick had allowed him to continue working to push out the Corrupter’s influence but he sent him here”—she gestured at the buildings—“to guard what is for all intents and purposes Serrick’s treasury.”

Lydia swallowed a mouthful of meat. “It seems to need guarding.”

“Cast that blame at the feet of the Rowenes family.” At Lydia’s frown, Sonia explained all that had happened while they’d been at the border, including Ria’s secret attacks on the Anuk. “Though knowing what we know now,” her friend added, “I think Rufina was behind the decision to send Killian here.”

They ate in silence for a long time, then Sonia set aside her plate. “He’s not the same as when you last saw him, Lydia. He’s angry. Always, always angry. Quick to temper and slow to laugh.”

The food she was eating soured, and Lydia set aside her own plate. “That’s not him.”

“It is now. He was merciless with the Anuk when he believed they were attacking unprovoked, and learning the truth pushed him to the brink. He was sick with guilt before we learned Malahi has been Rufina’s prisoner. Now it’s a hundred times worse. It’s not you he’s angry with, it’s himself.”

Sonia’s words made sense, and yet every time she blinked, Lydia saw the anger in his eyes when he looked at her. The coldness. And she couldn’t help but think that Killian at least partially blamed her for all that had befallen Malahi.

Standing, Sonia motioned for Lydia to follow. They discarded their plates back at the mess, then Sonia took her to the rear of the fortress, where she quickly picked up the metallic clang of sword striking sword.

Holding up a finger to her lips, Sonia whispered, “Better if they don’t see us.” Then she moved behind a series of weapons racks and took a seat on the ground. Lydia sat next to her, peering through the rows of pikes and swords.

Killian and Finn were sparring at the center of the training yard, both dripping sweat from heat and exertion. Though he’d likely never held a weapon before becoming Killian’s squire,

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.