The Reckless Oath We Made - Bryn Greenwood Page 0,78

if he can’t obey my rules.”

I recalled well those months when in his youth Carlees went out from hearth and home. They weren dark times, for he was sore missed. To hear such words cast me down. I wished not to be unsheltered and unloved.

“’Tis not love thy mother would deny thee, but freedom,” the Witch said. “She would fright thee with her rebuke.”

“Such a knight as to be frighted by his mother’s plaints,” Gawen said, ever eager to shame me.

“I am not afraid,” I said. Tho I willed it not, I put my satchel upon my shoulder that I might lay mine hands upon my neck.

“You’re upsetting him,” my father said.

“Let him be upset,” said my mother. “He needs to think about this.”

As though I gave it no thought.

“If thou wilt send me out of thy keep for it, I doubt not thy right. I mean no scorn, ne for thee ne for my father, but methinks I am a man, and may do as I see best. I shall see you upon my return,” I said and bowed to them.

When I went out, my mother remained within, but my father followed after.

“Your mother is very upset,” he said.

“And I am sorry, for I would not distress her, but I swore to serve Lady Zhorzha in all ways.”

“I know, son. I understand an oath like that is important. Just promise me that you’ll be careful.” He put out his hand to me, and I clasped it ere I departed, but I made him no promise, for what knight ever vowed ride under a banner of caution?

I made straightaway for the dragon’s lair, lest I miss my lady. Mayhap the dragon was as wroth as mine own mother, for ’twas very little time I waited ere Lady Zhorzha came forth. She walked not to where I stood, but to her own car, and thence looked at me.

“I didn’t expect to see you,” she said. “Your mom seemed really mad.”

“She is ill-pleased, but she cedeth ’tis my right to do as I will.”

“Are you sure about this? Because I really don’t want to drag you into something.”

“My lady, when I swore to be thy champion, ’twas ne poesy ne chatter. I stand ready and eager to serve thee. Tho ’tis better we should travel in my truck, for I think it more well-proved.”

“Probably so.” Mayhap her hip pained her, for she leant against her car and lifted her foot from the ground. I waited that she might say what she wished, but she spake no more. I perceived I must lay upon our keep the next stone, tho ’twas heavy.

“If thou wilt not have me as thy champion by cause thou hast no faith I can protect thee, I will say no more. If thou wilt not have me at thy side for mine own protection, thou art unjust. I am no child. I am strong enough to carry thee, and I am not afraid.”

“I know you’re not a child. But I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. For some moments, she was silent, her gaze upon the sky beyond me. Much akin to me when I am folded within myself.

“Is it thy desire to go alone?”

She looked upon me then, and I looked back, tho ’twas a privity that bared me to her utterly. For the nonce we weren two together. Bonded, as the black knight said.

“No,” she said.

“Come, dear lady, my steed awaiteth.”

She laughed and opened the door of her car to take up her satchel. Then she came to me in all seriousness. When I opened the door and put forth my hand, she took it that I might help her up.

CHAPTER 32

Zee

While Gentry slept, I drove, rehashing my argument with his mother in my head.

“He is not mature enough,” she’d said.

“He doesn’t seem all that immature to me. Except for the part where you still treat him like a kid,” I’d said. I wasn’t proud of that, but I’d been thinking of how she called Gentry and Trang the boys. Trang was a boy, but Gentry was almost as old as me. I’d wanted to ask, What exactly is so immature about Gentry? Before I could, she accused me of being judgmental and told me to leave.

Okay, he lived with his folks and shared a bedroom with his kid brother, but I was twenty-six years old, and had been sleeping on my sister’s couch. He had a better job and a nicer car than me.