Bonded to the Rakian Berserker (Rakian Warrior Mates #3) - Elin Wyn Page 0,46

set him up here, I would’ve expected he would’ve done so.”

Declan’s face tightened. “He didn’t always make the right decisions, I know. When Matilde told me what’d he done to Adena…” his lips pressed into a tight line. “Even though it turned out well, I still can’t believe he did something like that.”

They turned onto the main street and the houses became larger, more couples and small groups passed them, taking in the night air.

“I always pushed him to try to get ahead with the business, but he was so cautious. Who would’ve thought that giving away his niece would be the gamble he finally took?”

They turned down another street, less residential this time.

“Despite what my father’s last years were like, I’m just a little more comfortable with risk than he is,” Declan explained. “Always looking for new opportunities, new goods to bring to market. That’s what my father didn’t understand. You can’t stay stuck in the past.”

“That’s all very interesting,” Esme said as she looked around. “But I’m not sure how that helps us right now?”

“Well, I thought since we’re out walking, we could start retracing the boys’ path.” Declan stopped, waved his hand in a circle in the air. “I take it you didn’t hear any familiar tunes?”

She bit her lips, shaking her head. “Nothing. Maybe I missed something?”

Gavin squeezed her hand. “I’ve been listening for anything like that melody, and my hearing is pretty good.” While he hadn’t been entirely sure where Declan was leading them, it had been a good guess. “I haven’t heard anything that sounded similar.”

Esme didn’t look encouraged. Gavin struggled, wishing there was something he could say, something he could do that would help. If he was smarter, he’d be able to comfort her, surely.

“Just a little more time,” he started, then whatever other words he’d hoped to find vanished from his mind at an angry shout.

“Halt! Who goes there!”

22

This wasn’t good.

Esme tightened her fingers around Gavin’s arm.

“It’s just the town guard,” she whispered.

Still, she felt his anger rise.

“They’re not our enemy,” she whispered.

He shook his head roughly, glanced down at her.

“Of course, they’re not.”

But she couldn’t tell if he was unconvinced or if it was her own doubts echoing in her belly.

Declan stepped forward, bringing out the same handful of papers he had shown the guard at the gate.

“Good evening,” he said, hand outstretched. “I’m a resident, just taking a walk in the last of our good weather with my guests.”

The second guard stepped forward and Esme tensed.

Their uniforms were reminiscent of the men that attacked her and the children in Kinallen, but these men’s faces were unmasked, and instead of unrelieved black, both wore bright red sashes across their chests, one red edged in black, the other trimmed with gold.

“Guests,” the second guard, the one with the gold edged sash looked over Gavin and Esme. “Where do you travel from?”

The words were innocent, the tone was bland.

But the guard’s eyes questioned everything.

Esme took a breath, ready to spill out the tail of their travels from the north, when Gavin patted her hand and stepped slightly in front of her.

“You’ll have to excuse my bride. This is the largest city we’ve ever seen. I’m a trader from Malterresy, and finally talked this fine fellow into taking me on as a partner.”

He dropped a heavy hand on Declan’s shoulder and Esme blinked. For a warrior who seemed to think he was only useful as a weapon, when he needed to employ subterfuge, Gavin was quite skillful at it.

Gavin made a half bow to the guards. “No matter what delights the city has, I’ve got contacts up north for goods you just can’t get down here. We’re planning on making a fortune.”

He patted Esme’s hand. “And my lady is planning on spending a fortune on a new house, and wanted to see what the neighborhoods would be like.” He beamed down at her facetiously. “Soon enough, my love.”

Esme’s cheeks burned, but the guards seemed more amused than anything else.

“You’ll need your own papers,” the one with the black trim slot sash reminded them. “No excuses.”

“Of course, of course,” Declan interrupted. “But the Registry Office was closed when we arrived tonight. First thing in the morning we’ll be there.”

“Well, that should be all right,” the man grumbled. “Good night Masters, Mistress.”

And then the guards faded back into the shadows.

Flanked on either side by Gavin and Declan, Esme could still feel the questioning gaze of the guards on her back as they returned to the main