Juliet McKenna - The Assassin's Edge

“Naturally,” I agreed, my own smile widening. Pride that Ryshad’s talents had finally won due recognition warmed me even more than the prospect of the fun ahead.

“For the moment,” continued Ryshad, “I’ll be answering to myself first and foremost. Temar’s said as much. He’ll make his case when he wants something done, or send the captain of his cohort.” I felt a chuckle deep in Ryshad’s chest. “I should have made a bet with you, against us ever seeing Halice take a Tormalin Sieur’s oath.”

“Halice?” I gaped. “She’s to be his captain, oaths given and received and the full ceremony?”

“He asked her today and she said yes. She’ll be wearing D’Alsennin’s badge just as soon as he can find a silversmith to make it.” Ryshad’s approval was evident. “He reckons she’s proven herself five times over. She’s more than ready to take his amulet and earn some rights in the land she’s been fighting over for a change.”

“Sorgrad and ’Gren won’t be impressed,” I said without thinking. “They want to see what the summer’s fighting’s turned up in Lescar.”

I felt Ryshad stiffen. “You’re staying this side of the ocean though.”

“I am,” I assured him. “I’m with Halice on this one. Sorgrad and ’Gren can go off with some hare-brained scheme to get rich quick and welcome. We reckon it’s time to play the long game.”

“We’ll all make sure the rewards are worth the costs.” Ryshad let his arm fall from my shoulder and reached into the inner pocket of his jerkin. He brought out a bronze medallion. It wasn’t the one I’d seen him wear because he’d handed that back to Messire D’Olbriot along with his oath.

“Aiten would have liked it here,” I said softly.

“He would, him and Geris, wouldn’t you say?” Ryshad sorted through a handful of nails to find one for the loop where a leather thong had hung the medallion around his friend’s neck.

I smiled. “He’d have been desperate to get involved with ’Sar and Guinalle’s studies.”

Ryshad shifted the door so he could see the inner face. One day it would be invisible beneath tokens of vows made and boons sought from the gods but for the moment it was unblemished. “Have we settled that score with the Elietimm?”

“I think so.” There was no incense here yet but I found a few fragrant curls of wood shavings and piled them on the plinth. Ryshad watched me take a sparkmaker out of my pocket. He struck the nail square on the head and Aiten’s amulet was fixed to the door. I lit the shavings and hoped the smoke would carry the sound to the Otherworld. Maybe somehow, somewhere, they’d know they were avenged.

Ryshad slowly lowered his hammer, gazing out of the doorway. “Will you marry me?”

It wasn’t a proposal, not with the weight of the question all on the first word nor yet one of those challenges that dares you to say no. He sounded merely curious but I knew my answer had to strike that same balance between lightness and significance. It wasn’t a question he was asking idly, not now we could see a life ahead of us that we might share on equal terms.

“This mid-summer? No. My hair would be nowhere near long enough for a wedding plait and it’ll probably still be this horrible colour. Equinox? Winter Solstice? Unlikely. I can’t see me wanting to get caught up in such a fuss. Next year? The year after? Five years hence? I’ve no idea. I don’t know that I’ll ever want to wed.” My heart pounded as I gambled on complete honesty. “I can be certain I don’t want to be without you. I can’t imagine my life without you. I won’t be going anywhere without you at my side.”

Ryshad nodded slowly but did not speak.

“That’s the best answer I can give you.” I waited.

Ryshad turned and tossed the hammer aside so he could fold me in his arms. “That’s more than enough for me. As long as I have you, I have everything I could ever want.”

I kissed him and it was enough, more than enough, for that blissful moment and, as far as I could see, it always would be.