Vow of Thieves (Dance of Thieves 2)
“According to Kazi, he’s the most powerful man in Venda, the queen’s right-hand man. He used to be the Komizar’s Assassin. I’d be nice to him.”
“What else would I be?”
“I don’t know, brother. Sometimes you can be a little harsh. Just be nice to everyone. It won’t cost you anything but maybe a little of your pride.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
KAZI
“Breathe,” I whispered to Jase. “He’s not an assassin anymore.” But I was nervous too. I hadn’t seen Kaden in over two years. I felt like a young pledge awaiting inspection.
Kaden swung down from his horse, then helped Pauline down from hers. Their three children rode in a wagon behind them. Griz lifted them down, holding the eldest, Rhys, upside down, pretending he couldn’t tell his head from his feet in spite of Rhys’s protests.
Lydia and Nash squealed with delight but didn’t break ranks. The entire Ballenger clan stood in a line, ready to greet the Keep of Venda, his family, and the rest of the caravan that was still arriving.
Kaden walked over, looking taller and more imposing than I remembered, or maybe it was just the stern expression on his face. He glanced at me and then Jase. “So, you’re the troublemaker who stole her from us.”
“I knew I couldn’t trust that fellow the moment I laid eyes on him,” Griz added as he stepped up beside Kaden. The two of them began exchanging banter about Jase like he wasn’t there.
“It’s those shifty eyes.”
Griz clucked his tongue. “She should have arrested him the first time she saw him.”
“Looks to me like she did. He’s—”
Pauline jabbed Kaden in the ribs with her elbow.
Kaden winced. “Just having a little fun.” A warm smile filled his eyes, and no one’s eyes smiled quite like the Keep’s. Anything good in his life he had fought and scratched for, and his joy came from a deep place of understanding the lack of it. He reached out and shook Jase’s hand. “Congratulations, Patrei.” He ushered his children forward, Rhys, Cataryn, and Kit, all of them towheads like Kaden, and he told them to pay their respects to the Patrei of the newest nation, Tor’s Watch. He and Pauline both glowed with pride as the children stepped forward. It was clear they had practiced this moment. Jase knelt, shaking each of their small hands, accepting their well wishes, and whispering to them that treats awaited them at the end of the line. The Patrei was instantly a favorite with them.
Then the Keep raised his hand to me, a greeting from soldier to soldier. I clapped my hand into his and he squeezed it. “Good job, kadravé. You make us proud. Or maybe I should call you ambassador now?”
“Forever a Rahtan,” I answered. “I am still your comrade. I always will be.”
Pauline stepped up next and threw her arms around me, her grip fierce. “I’ve missed my best student.”
A warm tug pulled inside me. I had missed her too, cherishing her stubbornness like I never had before—and all the times she wouldn’t let me give up when the scribbles on the page frustrated me to distraction. “I thought Wren was your best student.”
She laughed. “You all were.”
“Thank you, Pauline,” I said. “I’m not sure I ever said it. In fact, I’m sure I was horrible most of the time, but I write every day now and actually love it.”
“That is all the thanks I need.” She kissed my cheek and followed Kaden down the line. I heard all the Ballengers offering their welcomes and gratitude. I heard the wonder in their voices. So much had been lost, but today so much was regained.
“Well, look who’s here,” Jase said, nudging me. “My cooks have arrived.”
It was Eben and Natiya.
Natiya swaggered up, Eben just behind her. Her dark eyes danced as she looked at both of us. “Married,” she said, shaking her head.
“Twice married,” Jase replied. “Ballenger and Vendan wedding. There’s no undoing it now.”
“Oh, there’s ways,” Eben said, his black eyes full of mischief.
“So, what’s on the menu tonight?” Natiya asked, patting her stomach.
Jase laughed. “Eating for two again?”
She and Eben exchanged a glance and then I noticed that her waist had grown wider. She looked back at me and Jase. “Actually…”