Page 93 of Shardless
The rain had dwindled to a light mist, but they were both soaked by the time they approached the front entrance of the main building. Taly hadn’t bothered to put her filthy coat back on, and the stained shirt she woreunderneath had started to turn translucent as it clung to her form. Skye could just see the outline of the camisole she wore beneath the damp fabric.
“I’m going to take the longest shower in the history of showers,” she said tiredly. “And then when I get the gore washed off, the longest bath in the history of baths. At least the day can end on a positive note.”
“Shards help us. Have some mercy and save me some hot water. Please,” he begged as Taly rolled her eyes and walked on ahead of him toward the stairs leading up to the upper floors of the keep. He’d had to share a washroom with her on more than one occasion, and he knew from experience that she felt no remorse when he had to start the day with an icy-cold shower.
Turning to glance at him over her shoulder, she gave him an innocent smile. “I’ll consider it.” With that, she started climbing the stairs, weaving between the people milling about in front of the main building.
Skye stood there for a moment, staring at the place where she’d disappeared through the main doors, and halfway debated running after her. After spending most of the day wondering if he’d ever see her again, it was hard watching her walk away from him.
“So that’s little Talya Caro,” a cocky voice drawled. “Shame on you, Skye. You never told me how pretty she was.”
Damn. Skye had been hoping to put off this confrontation until tomorrow—afterhis magic had fully recovered and he could pummel his so-calledcousin.
“You told her your name wasKit?” Skye asked, refusing to turn around to face the lankyman standing behind him. “And a cousin? What are you up to, Kato?”
“We have a cousin named Kit, don’t we?” Kato asked mockingly. “I’m sure we do. Or maybe it was Kat. Kae? No. Kata. It was definitely Kata. See? I told you—old age does things to your memory.”
“What are you doing here?” Skye asked in a bored tone, glaring at his older brother. “The last time we spoke, you called the Gate Watchers a group of ignorant, human-loving stooges. Now I find out that you’ve been masquerading as one for…”
“About 8 months now,” Kato supplied, smirking. “And I’m not masquerading. I applied and passed the exams, same as you. In fact, I’ve already worked my way up to Marshal.”
“Why?” Skye pressed. Why join the Gate Watchers? Why come here at all?
“I have my reasons.”
Skye suppressed a growl as he turned to face the older fey. Though they were both tall and thin, that was where the similarities stopped. Kato had taken after his human father, inheriting his copper hair, freckled skin, and deceptively guileless expression.
“Thank you for what you did today.” Skye bowed his head. “And thank you for helping Taly with the tower gun. I probably owe you my life.”
Kato’s rust-colored eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly schooled his expression into casual disinterest. “I didn’t do it for you.”
“Of course, you didn’t,” Skye replied. “Nevertheless, I’m in your debt.”
Skye didn’t wait for Kato’s reply as he started to walk away. If he didn’t engage, his brother would eventually get bored and move on.
“She’s not how I’d pictured she’d be—yourTaly,” Kato remarked suddenly, bringing Skye up short.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Skye asked suspiciously.
The older mage rubbed his chin, softly chuckling to himself. “She’s not like other humans that I’ve met. She’s smart… and brave, despite her weaknesses. For a minute there, I thought I was looking at Sarah.”
The brief flicker of intense pain and longing that flashed across his brother’s face almost made Skye wince. Kato had never volunteered any information about the woman he claimed to have once loved, and Skye had never asked. This was just one more issue they steadfastly avoided talking about.
“Don’t pull Taly into your games, Kato,” Skye said, a dangerous edge to his voice. “Stay away from her.”
“Temper, temper little brother. We’re all having fun here.” Kato’s shoulders pulled up in a good-natured shrug. But then his eyes narrowed, and something sinister crept into his expression. “I wonder… have you told her yet?” he asked, still smiling.
“I’m warning you. Back off,” Skye growled.
Kato’s head cocked to the side, and then he was howling with laughter. “Shards! After all that agonizing, and you still haven’t told her?! Are you serious? You know, I’ll do you a favor. The next time I see her, I’ll just casually mention—"
Instinctively channeling his aether, Skye rushed his brother, grabbing at his shirt and lifting him to his toes. He wasn’t supposed to use magic. He knew that. His head felt like it was going to crack open, but he ignored the pain,enjoying the slightly panicked look in Kato’s eyes. “I said… back the fuck off,brother.”
Kato shook him off, not interested in starting a fight. “Shards! Relax, would you? Everyone’s forgotten about that bullshit last summer except for you. It was just a human, Skye.”
Scowling, Skye once again turned to walk away.
“Of course,” Kato called after him, “that’s why it bothers you so much, right?”
