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.”That more than stung.Jar was family to her.That he only thought of her as an inconvenience hurt.“Jar?”He openly glared at Kavin and Shemeek in turn before stomping off in the direction of the woods.“I’m going to find some water.” He grabbed a bucket off the ground as he walked past.It would’ve been an admirable exit if the toe of his boot hadn’t gotten caught on a root.He managed to stay up, but the stumble started another round of laughter, this time with Kavin’s rich timbre accompanying Shemeek’s.“What’s wrong with him?” Kemah grabbed a cup of steaming tea before sitting down across from them.Shemeek still shook with laughter, but did her best to answer.“He’s…throwing a fit because…Kavin and Sara shared a late night visit.”“Really?” The look of barely veiled disgust he shot Sara made her cringe.“Really.” All joviality was gone from Kavin’s voice.He actually looked like he was about to throw a fit of his own.But instead he ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.“I’ve made some eggs; I suggest we get busy.Keep Livingston isn’t far and I, for one, would like to eat a decent meal this evening.”Shemeek stood at the invitation and, using a ladle, fished an egg out of the water.“Would you like one?” she asked, turning to Sara.“Please.” Sara wasn’t sure what to think of the new found camaraderie, especially since it was founded on a lie, but figured it was better than starting out as rivals.“Tell me, Sara, what is it that the king wants with a…servant?” Kemah’s gaze skated to Kavin as he asked the question, leaving Sara with the impression that the king’s judgment wasn’t the only one being questioned.“Kemah.” Kavin’s tone was threatening enough to make Shemeek tense next to her.“It’s not your place to question the king’s decisions.Or mine.”Kemah turned a bright pink as he glared at her as if it was somehow her fault.But it wasn’t and she’d be damned if she was going to let him think it was.“My suggestion,” Sara offered, her voice syrupy sweet, “the next time you want to issue a challenge, just come out with it.Politely veiled innuendo takes intelligence and wit.You, I’m afraid, are lacking in both.”His glare turned into a full scowl, but Shemeek smiled with approval.“So, what’s the plan after Livingston?” Ignoring Kemah, Sara busied herself with peeling the egg as she asked the question.Although it wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, Kavin answered.“There’ll be a couple nights at other keeps on the way to King’s Keep, but mainly we’ll be camping.”She took a bite of the perfectly cooked egg and nodded.Camping wasn’t so bad.Probably wouldn’t be getting fresh eggs again after Livingston, though.Shoving the rest of it in her mouth, she eyed the last egg wistfully.It was Jar’s so there was no point in mooning over it, but she was still hungry.Her battle of wills with the uneaten egg didn’t last long, though.Unable to look at it any longer, she forced herself to stand.“I’m going to take my tent down.” She didn’t know if the announcement was for the others or for herself, but it was nice to break the silence.“Would you like help?” Kavin asked.She didn’t even look back as she set off across the small camp.“No.I can manage this on my own.”Staring at her tent, she was certain that this was a task she could handle.And if she was going to find her way in this new life, not to mention finding a place on Kavin’s team, she was going to have to prove she could carry her own weight.It was hard to start over.It was impossible, though, when people refused to see you as anything but what you used to be.And right now she didn’t know which was worse, Kavin and Jar, who saw her as the Lady Raven, or Kemah and Shemeek, who saw her as a pitiful servant.Nimbly, she disassembled the shelter, taking extra care of the sharp stakes.She’d just folded the canvas and stowed her blankets when the warm static of Kavin’s thoughts brushed up against hers, alerting her to his nearness.Pushing them away before the temptation of listening to them took hold, she finished packing her gear, doing her best to pretend not to notice him.She’d taken great liberties pretending their late night visit was more that it had been and now she had no idea what to say to him.“You ready?” he asked, picking up her satchel and gear.“Yes.” She considered taking the bags from him, but decided to let him lug them around.They were heavy and she didn’t feel the need to fight him for the honor of carrying them.“Look, I’m sorry about—”“Your men thinking I’m sharing your bed?”“Yes.”His apology only added to her confusion.Refusing to shy away from his gaze, she said, “I know I’m not exactly your type, but I didn’t realize you’d be sorry if people believed we were—”“I don’t give a rat’s ass who they think I’m bedding.” He put down the gear as he stopped to look at her.“But I don’t want your reputation to be tarnished because of a poor judgment call on my part [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]