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

to sense that any further protest would be for nothing, Sonia tugged on Finn’s arm, leading him back to camp. Leaving Killian and Lydia alone together.

“You’re a distraction for me,” he said, looking anywhere but at her. “And the consequences of that outweigh whatever benefit you bring to the table. Dareena needs all the marked healers she can get, which means with her you can do some good. And as I said before, you’ll only slow me down.”

Her chest felt hollow, as though his words had carved out her insides and left nothing behind but hurt. “Raising an army to fight the blighters might slow them down, but it won’t stop them. Not when the blight will just keep infecting more and more people.” She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill down her face. “We have to rid the land of the blight to win this battle, and I believe Malahi is key to doing that. This is my home, and I’ll do whatever it takes to save it.”

“This is not your home.” His voice was cutting. “Your home is Celendor, Lydia.”

It was where she’d been raised, yes. But Mudamora was her home now. And she believed with all of her heart that the gods had brought her here to help save it. “This is where I belong. This is my fight. And if you don’t take me with you, I’ll go alone rather than see your pride be the doom of Mudamora.”

He flinched, but snapped, “Pride has nothing to do with it.”

“What happened between us was a mistake, Killian,” she said, wishing to the depths of her soul that it was otherwise. “And it won’t happen again.”

Neither of them spoke, the tension making her feel sick.

“Fine,” Killian finally snapped. “Be ready to leave an hour before dawn.”

Then without another word, he strode back to the camp.

She spent a good portion of the rest of the day in the healing tents, the endless work a blessed distraction. But just as it was starting to get dark, Sonia appeared.

“Hungry?” the young woman asked.

Lydia had no appetite, but knew she needed to eat, so she nodded, washing her hands and then following Sonia out of the tent. They joined a queue of waiting soldiers, accepting plates heaped with fresh bread, grilled meat, and steaming vegetables, along with cups of foaming ale.

“Why didn’t you go with the rest of Malahi’s guard to work for the High Lady?” she asked once they’d found a spot to sit and eat, the fading sun still warm.

“Didn’t feel right to leave him.” Sonia took a bite of bread, chewing thoughtfully. “Killian won a great victory, but between Malahi’s presumed death and your departure with Quindor, he felt far from victorious. It might have been endurable if Serrick had allowed him to continue working to push out the Corrupter’s influence but he sent him here”—she gestured at the buildings—“to guard what is for all intents and purposes Serrick’s treasury.”

Lydia swallowed a mouthful of meat. “It seems to need guarding.”

“Cast that blame at the feet of the Rowenes family.” At Lydia’s frown, Sonia explained all that had happened while they’d been at the border, including Ria’s secret attacks on the Anuk. “Though knowing what we know now,” her friend added, “I think Rufina was behind the decision to send Killian here.”

They ate in silence for a long time, then Sonia set aside her plate. “He’s not the same as when you last saw him, Lydia. He’s angry. Always, always angry. Quick to temper and slow to laugh.”

The food she was eating soured, and Lydia set aside her own plate. “That’s not him.”

“It is now. He was merciless with the Anuk when he believed they were attacking unprovoked, and learning the truth pushed him to the brink. He was sick with guilt before we learned Malahi has been Rufina’s prisoner. Now it’s a hundred times worse. It’s not you he’s angry with, it’s himself.”

Sonia’s words made sense, and yet every time she blinked, Lydia saw the anger in his eyes when he looked at her. The coldness. And she couldn’t help but think that Killian at least partially blamed her for all that had befallen Malahi.

Standing, Sonia motioned for Lydia to follow. They discarded their plates back at the mess, then Sonia took her to the rear of the fortress, where she quickly picked up the metallic clang of sword striking sword.

Holding up a finger to her lips, Sonia whispered, “Better if they don’t see us.” Then she moved behind a series of weapons racks and took a seat on the ground. Lydia sat next to her, peering through the rows of pikes and swords.

Killian and Finn were sparring at the center of the training yard, both dripping sweat from heat and exertion. Though he’d likely never held a weapon before becoming Killian’s squire, Finn was already far more adept than Lydia was, his nimble feet serving him well as he danced back and forth.

“You have to hold your ground at some point,” Killian said, pressing Finn backward. “If I’d known you only intended to use it as a dance partner, I’d have spent less on that sword.”

“I’m wearing you down, old man! As soon as you start to pant, I’ll strike!”

Killian laughed, the first genuine smile she’d seen rising to his lips, and Lydia’s eyes stung.

Then Finn darted forward in an attack, weapons clashing violently, Finn’s expression intent and Killian’s devoid of the frustration he’d worn when teaching her. He parried the boy’s rapid slashes, then in one quick motion, jabbed at Finn, sword point stopping just shy of his shirt. “Ow!” Finn cried, falling to the ground and rolling around. “I’m dead. I’m dying.”

“The dying comes before the dead.” Killian reached down to grab Finn’s arm and hauled him to his feet. “And you lowered your guard again. Watch.”

Lydia sat silently next to Sonia, watching as Killian showed Finn his error before they began anew.

No yelling. No swearing. No weapons tossed aside in irritation.

“This,” she