Fear of Fire and Shadow (The Fade #1) - Samantha Young Page 0,11

man for the job.

Jarek looked up from checking a chestnut bay’s hooves. He grinned at me. “Where else would I be?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, sauntering leisurely toward him. “Any one of the other stables. Or the kitchen. Cook made cakes today.”

He sucked in a breath of mock disappointment. “And I missed them?”

“Jarek, you would have missed them even if you’d been there. Valena and I devastated the plate within five seconds.”

“Valena …” He threw me a teasing smirk. “She’s getting to be too much like you.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.” I frowned. “And what’s wrong with being like me?”

Jarek studied me, his smile widening to a wicked grin. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

Despite myself, I warmed at Jarek’s attention. We had been friends for a long time, but more and more lately, our conversations had taken a decidedly flirtatious turn. And he was extremely good-looking. However, that was the problem. I knew too many maids, and even a few noblewomen, who had shared Jarek’s bed. Despite that reckless little voice inside that was eager to uncover the mysteries of intimacy between lovers, I didn’t want to be just another girl he’d tumbled.

I cleared my throat. “Haydyn wishes to go to the marketplace right away. Will you ready Midnight and Sundown?”

Jarek nodded. “Is the Guard going with you?”

I winced. “Yes.”

“You don’t sound too excited about it. Here’s a thought.” He bent his head to mine, his breath hot on my ear. Goosebumps skated down my spine. “Why don’t I be your guard for the day? I’d take very good care of you, Rogan.”

“And Haydyn?” I murmured, my body vibrating with awareness of him.

Jarek laughed softly. “She has Lord Matai.” He drew back only a little, our noses almost touching. “You can have me.”

“Well, isn’t this cozy.”

I closed my eyes at the voice of interruption.

Wolfe.

Ugh, how I hated him.

Jarek sighed and retreated as I turned to face Wolfe. He leaned against the stable wall, glaring at us. “Apparently, I’m escorting you to the marketplace. When were you planning on delivering that message? A week, maybe two …?”

I glowered. “Clearly it makes no matter since the message has been delivered.”

Wolfe pushed away from the wall and strode toward me. Dear haven, he was tall. He towered over me and Jarek. “You,” he bit out at Jarek, “the horses. Now. Hers”—he flicked a distasteful look at me—“the princezna’s, Lord Matai’s, my own, and three of my guard.”

Jarek crossed his arms over his chest, not in the least intimidated. “Which three?”

“Worth, Vincent, and Chaeron,” Wolfe replied through clenched teeth.

Jarek nodded tightly. His expression softened when his eyes fell upon me again, and he winked. “I’ll speak with you later, Rogan.”

“Jarek.” I watched him leave, biting my lip against indecent thoughts as he swaggered out of the stable and into the next. Feeling Wolfe’s eyes on me, I turned and met his sharp look with one of my own. “What?”

“What?” He guffawed incredulously. “The princezna has been unwell and everyone is agreeing to her outing to the market, and you’re in here flirting with the stable boy.”

“Stable master,” I corrected, poking him in the chest with the words. “And don’t take that self-righteous tone with me, as if I don’t care about Haydyn.”

Wolfe snorted. “Do you care? You were supposed to come and inform me so I can protect you at market, and you’re in here with your legs practically wrapped around Jarek.”

How dare he? I sucked in a breath at the accusation. “You’re lucky I don’t slap you for that insinuation. Jarek is my friend. I came here to ask him to prepare the horses, and I was just about to come and find your sorry ass to let you know Haydyn required your company. Not that I should have to explain myself to you.”

“Sorry ass.” Wolfe threw me a disdainful look. “Really? That’s the language of the Handmaiden of Phaedra? Very refined.”

Refined? I’d give him refined. I’d been around enough stable boys to know my share of curse words. “Oh, sod off, Captain,” I threw over my shoulder as I departed the stables.

The city of Silvera grew quiet and the crowds parted as we moved through them on the cobbled streets. Their chatter hushed and then rose again as the people gathered together at the rear of our entourage, like a wave crashing to shore behind us.

I rode beside Haydyn on Midnight, she on Sundown. Matai was on Haydyn’s other side and three of the Royal Guard were at our backs. Wolfe rode in front, his