Noble Falling by Sara Gaines Read Free Book Online

beads of blood and was surprised when I found none.
    “Here, I think there’s enough left for us to eat our fill.” As he sat beside me, I handed the guard a large piece of dried meat from the supplies Muerra had given us.
    Ori took a large bite, thanking me and returning the blade with which he had shaved to its sheath.
    “Good to see your face remains unmarred.” I smiled, aware that I had actually grown comfortable around the man in the few days we had been traveling together.
    “My sister claims I look like a little boy when I shave.” He rubbed his cheek, grumbling, “She also says I look like a rabid animal when my sorry excuse for a beard tries to grow in.”
    A small laugh escaped me. “And what else does your sister say?”
    “Many things I will not tell you, milady, lest you turn them against me and become even more like her.” Ori threw a smile at me, continuing a familiarity that was beginning to grow between us.
    My head shifted to the side slightly, a loose strand of hair falling into my face, which I quickly tucked behind my ear. “More like her?”
    “Your Grace, you once asked why I was so willing to help you.” Ori began constructing our campfire with the wood he had gathered earlier. “Yes, I have been—and will always be—loyal to your family. And, if I may be so bold to say, through such service, certain observations are made.”
    “Observations such as?” I felt my brow crease, unsure of what Ori was attempting to say.
    “Of character.” Ori’s eyes connected with mine. “My sister was forced to grow up almost too soon. And yet, she often ignores what she was forced to learn so early on. It left her with a quality I could not even begin to explain, but it is something you also seem to possess, Your Grace.”
    I was silent, unsure if I should be offended.
    “Milady, do not mistake me, it is not a characteristic to be ashamed of. It is just….”
    The guard trailed off, only continuing at my insistence.
    “As my wife explains it to my sister, the lessons cannot be ignored. There are times when you must step into the role you were forced to fill so soon, even if it is inconvenient.” It was obvious that Ori knew he was tiptoeing a line. “I do not mean to say anything negative. It is something I love about my sister, for I wish she would have had a better chance to enjoy her youth.”
    Rather than address the gnawing feeling of an attack on my character, I smiled at the guard building a fire and switched to what I hoped would be a more jovial topic, figuring courtly tricks could work on commoners. “Ori, why is it you haven’t mentioned your wife before? You must tell me of her.”
    The guard looked up and he saw the smile on my face, I could see the relief washing over him that I had not taken offense—or at least that I had not shown it.
    “We are expecting our first child in three months’ time.” He finished stoking the flames to a respectable height before he continued. “Teya and I have been married a little over a year now, yet we have been in each other’s lives from the time we were children.”
    Even mentioning his wife so briefly had managed to put a light in the guard’s eye that had previously been hidden.
    “Do you fear she thinks you are dead?” There was genuine concern in my voice. The thought of just waiting to find out if someone I truly loved had been taken from me was heartbreaking.
    The brightness in Ori’s eyes faltered only for a moment, returning as soon as he smiled. “Milady, it is impossible to know what she has been told by the traitors who attempted to kill you, but I do know she has faith in me. I have no doubt that when I return, I will find her waiting. It is my duty to protect you, as much as it is your duty to marry Tallak. My wife would expect nothing else.”
    It took me a moment to respond.
    “You know, I envy you.” I smiled at Ori, even though I knew my voice was hollow.
    “Why would a duchess envy my mangy self?” The guard