Page 35 of Hollow Court

He met my eyes directly. “This really is the best plan.”

I arched a skeptical eyebrow. “Have you even considered other options?”

He almost looked offended. “I have, actually. I would never put my cousin in unnecessary danger, but Gwyn isn’t just a duchess. She’s a soldier, and a damned good one at that. She wants to root the rebels out as much as I do, and this is a way for us to do that.”

That explained why she had agreed to do it at all, given that she had made no secret of her indifference toward me.

“We will have measures in place to keep her safe,” he went on, “which is more than I can guarantee for you. I know you don’t trust me in general, but could you at least consider trusting me with this?”

His cobalt gaze seared into mine, willing me to believe him. I considered his words. If nothing else, he had taken his life debt seriously, had done his best to keep me safe so far, up to and including trying to convince me now.

“And if the rebels don’t fall for it?” I pressed, half to buy myself time and half because I truly wanted to know.

“That’s why we’re sending soldiers with you and Gallagher as well, a few trusted men who weren’t in the tunnels,” he said. “Don’t let his laid-back personality fool you. Gallagher spars with Gwyn every day of his life. He’s plenty skilled as well.”

“And you?” I couldn’t help but ask.

When I met Davin, I had believed he was a soldier. Even after I knew the truth, it hadn’t hit home to me until now that I had no idea how capable he was of defending himself. All men in Socair trained for the military. Was that true in Lochlann as well?

I didn’t want to care, didn’t want to feel this churning in my gut, knowing he would be standing between the rebels and their perceived target, but I couldn’t quite seem to breathe when I pictured his azure eyes blank and unmoving.

His brow furrowed, the hint of a cocky smirk tugging at his mouth.

“I can hold my own.”

With most people, I would have had some idea of whether they were posturing, but I had long since lost confidence in my ability to determine whether Davin was lying.

I had no choice but to believe him. To try to trust him on this, as he had asked me to.

Instead of admitting that outright, I asked a different question.

“What do I tell your parents?”

His shoulders eased with the implication that I was willing to accept his plan.

“I won’t leave it to you to explain everything. I’ll send a letter, and they likely won’t question you too much until I’m there.” He made a dubious face before amending that statement. “Probably. If all else fails, just use your resting Socairan face to deter their inquisition.”

I glared at him, and he raised his eyebrows.

“That’s the one.”

Shaking my head, I relented. “All right. I’ll go.”

I’ll trust you on this one thing.

* * *

It was another sleepless night.

I had never ridden a horse for longer than a few leisurely hours, and my muscles were screaming with the effort of staying upright in the saddle through the endlessly dark forest.

The sun was peeking over the horizon when we finally stopped to sleep. I had just enough time to eat and bathe before Gallagher crept somewhat apologetically into my room.

“I’ll sleep on the couch, of course, but it’s not safe for you to be in here alone,” he explained.

I had already surmised as much. It made me feel further from home than crossing the mountains had, the ease with which we both breached this propriety.

“Of course,” I said, with a dip of my head. “Did you talk to the soldiers?”