The Reckless Oath We Made - Bryn Greenwood Page 0,95

me.”

“Have you—do you think—” I couldn’t even get out what I wanted to ask.

“I don’t know yet. I made a few phone calls to some folks who might know. I’m waiting to hear from a few more folks. I know you’d like to have answers today, but I can’t guarantee that’s gonna happen.”

“Well, I don’t think Dane is going to be okay with me staying.”

“That goddamn boy. Don’t mind him. You’re welcome here.” I thought the conversation was over, because he tapped a cigarette out of the pack and lit it before he said, “There’s another thing I need to say to you, and mayhap you won’t be inclined to stay after you hear it, but I need to say it.”

“I know. I heard what you told Dane. About my dad and the robbery. About the guard.”

Uncle Alva took a long drag off his cigarette, with his hand shaking. Then he started coughing. He coughed until his eyes watered, or else he was crying.

“I’m sorry, girl. Ain’t no way to make up for that or justify what was done. I just—you deserve to know the truth.”

“It is what it is,” I said, because if I didn’t manage to swallow that feeling of betrayal, I was going to cry or scream. Uncle Alva managed another puff off the cigarette, and then he pointed at the envelope of money.

“Better put that someplace safe,” he croaked.

CHAPTER 37

Gentry

My lady was troubled, for ’twas a great sum of money her uncle had committed to her, and upon her shoulders alone lay the matter of her sister’s safety. I was ready to take up any task she might wish, but for the nonce ’twas naught for me to do but feed her. I made our even’s meal of what was in the house, and we supped in silence.

After, we went into the front room, and Sir Alva put upon the television that we might watch the news. ’Twas there Dane found us. I rose to greet him, full ready for his wrath, but he abided in the doorway.

“Hey, cuz. You still here?” he said.

“Yep. She’s still here,” Sir Alva said. “Still my house. Still ain’t your business.”

“You taking off tonight?” Dane spake without heeding his father.

“Boy, leave your cousin alone.”

Once I saw Dane would keep peace, I set myself again beside Lady Zhorzha. Her hands lay together upon her lap, one holding fast to the other. The cloth of her trousers was worn through at her thigh, shewing the milk white of her skin and the blood black of her fire bird.

“Thine heart is fouled with lust,” Hildegard said.

“’Tis not his heart,” Gawen said, and then to me: “Thy touch affronteth her not. Last even she was eager to open her thighs to thee.”

Sooth, she had received my touch tho I asked not, but I presumed not she should again, so I reached not for her hand. Hildegard believed I had naught but lust in my heart, but in truth I was much concerned with how I might serve my lady. While I pondered it, Sir Alva rose from the couch and walked up and down in a manner most uneaseful.

When first I met him, I thought of him as a hermit, alone in some high place, deprived of company and comfort. Now I bethought myself of Raymondin, who pined for Melusine but never again saw her. Like Sir Alva, he was a man bereft of his wife, left to raise up two sons. Tho Sir Alva’s castle was in decline, it remained, mayhap a testament to the labors of his wife. Mayhap also a prison for a man whose heart was sore wounded.

Sir Alva stopped and took his phone from his pocket.

“This peace cannot last,” the black knight said. I rose to my feet, my hackles abristle. Dane’s shoulders weren tight, his hands fistwise at his sides.

“I’ll take this in my room,” Sir Alva said.

“What the fuck are you doing, Dad?”

Sir Alva answered not and, after he departed, Dane wandered the floor and slapped his hands upon his shanks.

I kept watch, and Dane came anon to stand before my lady.

“We had a deal. You said you were gonna talk to Dad and then you were gonna go,” he said. “But you’re still here, sitting around like you don’t plan to leave.”

“Uncle Alva is helping me with something,” Lady Zhorzha said. “I’ll go when it’s done.”

“You’ll fucking go now.”

He stepped closer so that we stood nigh toe to toe. I watched his hands and set my