Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 169943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 850(@200wpm)___ 680(@250wpm)___ 566(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 169943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 850(@200wpm)___ 680(@250wpm)___ 566(@300wpm)
“I didn’t know you were a holder’s daughter when I married you, remember? All I was thinking about was how uncomfortable the upcoming Conquest Moon was going to be if I didn’t have a partner. And if I recall correctly, you propositioned me.” I shake my head. “It’s never been about your hold.” When she simply nods, her expression distant, I try to change the subject. “Besides, I’ll be busy here.”
“Because you’re a guild master.” She reaches out and touches my chest, and the sash proudly displayed across it. It’s not something I’d normally wear around the city, because I hate pretentiousness, but Aspeth seems to like the sight of it on me. If she touches my chest one more time, I’m tempted to find the nearest alley and fling her up against a wall with her skirts over her head.
Hells, I’m tempted to do that anyhow.
“Are you happy?” she asks me, her voice soft.
I consider this. Am I? It’s something I both wanted and assumed I would never have. “I am. It gives me more of a voice. It lets me pave the way for other Taurians. It lets me train fledglings the way I think they should be trained…and I’ll make coin if they graduate. So aye, I’m happy.” I flex my hand, the magicked one. “And I got Rooster to waive my debt for this.”
Her eyes go wide. “You did?”
“Aye. He can’t very well take it away from a guild master, can he? That wouldn’t look right. I used his love of bureaucracy against him. Told him it’s a far better show of his leadership to have strong, competent masters who are loyal and wield the artifacts that they teach about…that, and I’d put in a good word with the Taurians when it comes time to reelect the head guild master.”
Aspeth grins up at me, but then her expression fades. “Have you seen Magpie since she left the courtroom?” she asks. “Was she very upset?”
I don’t know if she’s avoiding a hard conversation with me or if there’s simply too much to cover, but I’m surprised she asks about Magpie. After all, the woman tried to get her killed. “I have not. Rooster dealt with her prior to today. For all her courtroom dramatics, she knew she was in danger of losing her position simply from the drinking and how many classes she’s had fail in the past few years.” I pause. “She actually told Rooster he needed to promote me, though. That if she was giving up her spot, it should be given to me.”
“She’s right.”
I sigh. “It’s just always complicated with Magpie. She does something unforgivable, and then turns around and tries to make it better. I can’t look past that she tried to have you killed, though.” I shake my head. “She’s destroyed any friendship we might have had.” I pull Aspeth a little closer to me.
“And the others? Gwenna? Lark? Kipp? Mereden? Were they devastated at failing?” Her tone is careful, but I know just how much her Five means to her.
“They’re drinking away their sorrows,” I tell her. “They’ve joined the repeater ranks. It’s not a bad thing, though. They’ll get more guild experience, and after hearing what was found in the crypt, I think more teachers will be eager to pull them in….” I wonder if the next part will hurt her feelings, but decide to say it anyway. “I’ve let them know I would be happy to teach them again.”
“I’m glad. You’re an excellent teacher and they deserve the best.”
I wait for her to say more, but Aspeth falls silent again. We make it to Magpie’s nest—my nest, now, I suppose—and pause in front of the door. The lights are out, and no one is inside except a big orange shape in the window. Aspeth makes a choked little sound of happiness at the sight of her cat, and I suddenly get tired of dancing around the topic I really want to ask about. “What about you?”
She looks up at me, her eyes dark and glossy in the moonlight. “What do you mean?”
“I know what the king decided. What are you going to do now?”
The pain on her face is obvious, and I ache that she’s had her dream torn away from her. If I could give it back to her, I would, and I hate how helpless it makes me feel to realize that no amount of work, no amount of sweat equity I put in, can bring back Aspeth’s most cherished dream.
I can’t fix this for her, and it mucking kills me.
“I don’t know,” Aspeth confesses. There’s a fragile expression on her face. She’s completely lost. “I tried not to think beyond my goal—protecting the hold. That was my entire purpose. But now there’s a new heir and Liatta’s money and I’m not needed or even wanted at Honori. The guild doesn’t want me, either. I…don’t know what to do with myself.”