Page 216 of Commanding Scythe and Sky

“Not givin’ you the boot. Just providin’ better company.”

Those sapphire eyes flicked from Vesper—whom he dipped his chin to—over to Orion—who received only a scowl. “Define better,” he sneered.

“You’re puttin’ us on the queen’s guard?” Vesper deduced, eyes flicking around the doorframe.

“Honor or sentence?” I asked with no indication of which I wanted.

“Bitch is vicious,” she hissed, that grin widening, rich gold eyes flashing. “I’m in.”

I smiled—a lopsided, unreserved thing that hurt my face. “Excellent. Orion?”

“Valora had my back in the first round. It’s an honor to bear her shield in this one.”

“Good enough for me.”

“Where the fuck does that leave me?” Carr snapped.

“Taking point, with adequate backup. Got a problem with that?”

“So, what?” He took a step forward until we were nearly nose-to-nose. “A good man takes an interest and now you give a shit?”

“I’ve always given a shit.”

“Fooled me.”

“Not your place to be convinced.”

“Atreus is likely assembling a guard as we speak.”

“Atreus can fuck himself up the ass.”

I could’ve sworn the corner of his mouth twitched, even as he crossed his arms. If anybody was going to knock me on my ass in these halls, it was Carrson.

“So, you are jealous.”

“Of course I am. That fuckwit put his hands on my mate after someone took a goddamn shot at her. You were the asshole standing too far away, and some other asshole took the arrow aimed at her heart in my place,” I snarled. “What of it?”

“So, what? You’re gonna double her guard now?”

“Clearly.”

“Her falconry?”

“Called their asses home last night. Unless August calls them in, they’re not going anywhere.” Shy of an attack on the bunker—in which case both our people and the relics would require our protection—I didn’t see that happening.

“Perimeter crew?”

“Is particularly well-equipped this morning.”

“And this oaf?” Carr hiked a thumb at Orion.

“Has the strongest shield in the hierarchy,” I snapped before Orion could retort. “He will be within arm’s reach of her at all times from here on out.”

“You expect me to believe you’re just… what? Pullin’ your head outta’ your ass?”

“Might require some lube, but I’m workin’ on it.”

“And I’m just supposed to… what? Act like you haven’t been a fuckin’ prick for months?”