Gilded Serpent by Danielle Jensen (top 10 novels txt) 📕

There wasn’t much she could say to that. “I hope it will be less eventful than the first half of our journey together, Agrippa.”

He grinned. “No promises.” Then he rounded on Killian. “Though don’t let me tie you to me with coin, Tom. You more than earned your wage.”

Digging into his pockets, he counted out glimmering gold, Killian looking more and more delighted with each coin Agrippa dropped onto his palm. It was probably, she thought, the first time he’d ever received a wage, and the novelty clearly overwhelmed his good sense, for he said, “We’d be glad for the company.”

“Perfect.” Agrippa stretched, cracking his back. “Let’s get underway. There’s a village about an hour from here with an inn that makes the most excellent stew.…”

He continued prattling as he walked down the path next to the river, Baird following at his elbow.

“Have you taken leave of your senses?” Lydia hissed under her breath as Killian came up next to her. “We can’t trust them.”

“I’m aware.” Killian shoved the coins in his pocket. “Agrippa fully intends to turn on us. But us parting ways isn’t going to stop him from doing that.”

“You think he wants his gold back? If that’s the case, why in the name of all the gods did you take it in the first place?”

He gave her an affronted look. “Because I earned it. Several times over.”

Crossing her arms, she waited for him to give her a proper answer.

“It would’ve looked strange if I hadn’t,” he finally said. “And no, I don’t think it’s the gold. He repaid everything he took from those people. I saw him slipping it back into their pockets earlier—no one but me noticed.”

Which seemed both entirely out of character and also exactly what she’d expect from the ex-legionnaire. “Why—”

“I don’t know. But I’d rather have him where I can see him than have to constantly watch over my shoulder,” Killian interrupted. “Keep your wits about you. I expect he’ll do it soon. And he’s not stupid enough to take me on without help.”

They fell into silence after that, both of them staring at Agrippa’s back as he walked and sang bawdy alehouse songs, Baird occasionally joining in with his deep baritone. They reached the village he’d spoken of without incident and partook in what was, in fact, very good stew before carrying on down the road, Agrippa never ceasing his endless chatter.

It was nerves. With what Killian had told her sitting in her head, Lydia noticed the tension in Agrippa’s posture, how he was no less watchful for them being out of the Liratoras than he had been when there was fear of wildmen and worse.

And yet nothing happened.

“There’s a town up ahead where we can get rooms for the night,” he finally announced as the sun was beginning to set. Turning to walk backward, he grinned at Lydia. “A hot bath, Gertrude. With soap.”

“You three availing yourselves would do me more good than soaking myself,” she answered, wrinkling her nose.

“Tubs are always too small,” Baird grumbled. “Haven’t had a proper bath since I left Eoten Isle.”

“When did you leave?” Killian asked. It was the first thing he’d said in hours. “And why?”

“Fifteen years ago, give or take,” the giant answered. “Lost my woman to a life debt during the last war with Mudamora, which was a bitter tonic to swallow. Decided I wasn’t interested in a life spent sitting on some rock keeping the Endless Seas still and took to the road, which my people took issue with. Gespurn won’t mark another summoner until I’m dead, so they put the hunt on me. Derin proved the best hiding place. That’s where I met the little man, here. Sorry. I mean the average man, here.”

“Nothing about me is average,” Agrippa said. “Especially not—”

“What made you decide to fight for Rufina?” Lydia interrupted before he could finish.

“No one decides to fight for Rufina,” Baird said wearily. “You obey or you die.”

“I hate to add another sorrowful note to this dismal conversation, but I’m afraid I have bad news, Gertrude,” Agrippa said. “It doesn’t look like you’re going to be getting that bath after all.”

“Why?” she asked, then yelped as Killian pulled her closer to him, his weapon in hand and eyes on the surrounding trees.

Agrippa stepped away from them, tugging Baird with him. “Because it appears I’m not the only one who recognized your boy. And his worth.” Then more loudly, he said, “Allow me to remind you all that while he’s only worth a thousand gold coins dead, he’s worth five thousand alive. Choose wisely.”

 89MARCUS

Marcus lay on his back on the deck of the boat, Teriana’s cheek pressed against his chest and his eyes on the endless stars above them. The boat swayed and drifted, moored to a tree along the bank, the air filled with the sound of cicadas and the scent of freshly tilled fields. Despite the darkness, it was still hot enough that sweat dampened his brow, not even a breath of breeze rustling the trees to cool his overheated skin.

He was home.

They’d been in the heart of Celendor for some time now, floating down the Savio and past Cel cities and towns and villages, the landscape devoted to the agriculture and livestock that dominated the nation. It was hot and humid, the winter rains warm as bathwater as they fell from the sky. But tomorrow, they’d arrive in Celendrial, and he’d have to face the moment he’d dreaded for so very long.

Teriana shifted in her sleep, her naked legs entwining with his. He ran his fingers down her back, soothing her into the restfulness that he denied himself.

Tonight was their last night together. The last time he could listen to her wild tales over a campfire. The last time he could lose himself in her beautiful body. The last time he would see dawn with her in his arms.

He didn’t want to let her go.