The Wayfarer King by K.C. May Page A

Feanna,” Gavin said in a rich, deep voice. “I’m glad to meet you. Sorry I didn’t get to last time I was here. I see now it was a terrible mistake on my part.” The timbre of his voice was like velvet to her ear, a voice that would have made any bard choke on his envy. She could listen to him all day. And all night.
    Feanna felt a nervous giggle well within her, but she couldn’t stop it. She realized she’d been smiling, and her lips were sticking to her gums. She licked her lips and tried to conceal her crooked teeth behind them. When his gaze dropped to her mouth, her heart stuttered and heat spread across her face. “It’s a pleasure. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
    “Don’t believe a word of it. I’m not a bad buck, really.” Gavin gifted her with a warm, gap-toothed smile that was both rugged and endearing.
    When he came forward and offered his hand, she hesitated to take it. Don’t shift, she reminded herself. She slipped her hand into his, and immediately lost herself in his touch. His eyes dominated her vision. The warmth of his hand seeped into her blood and spread up her arm. Even without shifting , she knew that her attraction to him was reciprocated, but it wasn’t only physical attraction. It was something more, like two halves finally becoming whole. Now she understood what people meant by love at first sight. She could fall in love with this man. Perhaps she already had.
    Everyone was silent, watching the two of them watching each other. As the moments ticked by, Feanna found herself more and more flustered, unsure what to do. She’d never met a man so captivating. All at once, everyone uttered a “Well” or “So,” and Feanna gently and hesitantly withdrew her hand.
    Jaesh handed a huge sword to Rogan. “Look at Uncle Gavin’s new sword, Papa.”
    Rogan took the sword and turned it this way and that, whistling. Its hilt was fashioned with snakes — not the sort of design Feanna cared much for, but she could see why a warrant knight, or any battler, would like it. What got her attention though were the gems embedded in it. She’d never realized that Gavin was wealthy. She supposed if a warrant knight had no home, he could save most of the money he earned, but he’d have to stash it in a bank or risk being robbed. Buying gems to decorate his sword would be a safe alternative.
    “These gems,” Rogan said. He cleared his throat. “They the ones you were tellin’ me about?”
    Gavin nodded.
    “Got another to add to it, then?” Rogan asked. His voice was taut, and his hands trembled as though the sword were very heavy, though the twelve-year-old Jaesh hadn’t struggled overmuch to hold it.
    Gavin scrubbed a finger under his nose. “Yeh.”
    Rogan’s eyes widened, and his face reddened. “You ain’t going to leave it be, are you? You’re going to—”
    “Boys,” Gavin said sharply, cutting Rogan off, “would you show Dona and Nasharla to the stable and help get the horses unsaddled?”
    “Yes, m’lord,” Jaesh said. “GJ, go tell Asiawyth to come help. This way, Lady Sisters.” He took the reins and led the horses toward the stable with Trevick following.
    “Let’s go around back,” Liera said. “We’ve got a pig on the spit, eggplants and potatoes from Feanna’s field and bread baking.”
    “Little Brother,” Rogan said. He looked like his blood was about to boil over and spill out his ears. “Hang back a bit. I want to talk to you.”
    Liera took the arms of Feanna on one side and Daia on the other. “I hope you brought your appetite.”
    “Oh, I think I could manage a bite or two,” Daia said.
    Feanna glanced back over her shoulder, and caught Gavin watching her. When she looked at Daia, fearful of seeing jealous rage on the battler’s face, she was rewarded instead with a smile.
    “So, Daia.” Liera clutched Feanna’s arm more tightly as they walked. “You and Gavin—”
    “Are friends,” Daia said quickly, “and nothing more.” She