When Things Are Set Right

Consequences

For the first ten minutes they hurried along without a word. The boulder grew smaller in the distance and eventually disappeared when they crested the next hill.

Aeryn felt like she was struggling to keep afloat in churning waters. The world was a much more treacherous place than she ever imagined, and she lived in a time of supposed peace. The Imperials were supposed to be upholders of law and justice. Yet these ones acted like ruffians.

If these Imperials could act like thugs, what about the men in uniform she killed before meeting Grim?

What if they were Imperials after all?

The concerns of Aeryn's father swirled into her mind. What if Grim lied to her, and he really was a murderer? Truth was, she didn't really know him. Apart from the disturbing savagery with which he fought those men on the road, Grim knew Thomas was an Imperial, and though he posed no immediate threat, Grim still thought they should kill him. He was clearly more dangerous than she realized.

If he lied to her, not only did she nurse a fugitive back to health, but she was also an Imperial-killer. A capital criminal, several times over.

Aeryn's head swam, and her legs began to shake. "I need a moment."

She staggered to the side of the road, crouched, and put her head in her hands. Closing her eyes, she took some deep breaths. What have I gotten myself into?

Grim creaked to a stop, rested the cart with a rattle and rotated his shoulder. "We should put as much distance as possible between ourselves and that rock."

That rock.

Not, those people.

Aeryn shot to her feet. "You just killed several men. We almost died. I'm allowed one minute."

"We can't afford that, Aeryn. You left one alive. He'll talk," Grim said. "If, or when, the Imperials come after us, we need as big of a head start as possible."

"Those men in Ravenwood. Were they really Cords? Slavers?" she said. "How did you know? Are you sure?"

Grim wrinkled his brow. "Where is this coming from?"

"Grim, I just knowingly assaulted an Imperial soldier," she said as she marched toward him. "And right before I met you, I killed three men in uniform. I have no way to prove I acted in self-defense. I have no way to prove they weren't Imperials, except your word."

His mouth dipped into a stern frown. "You think I lied to you?"

Aeryn rubbed a hand under her tingling nose. "I don't know what to think. Now I know Imperials can be despicable, and you have no qualms about slaughtering them."

"They tried to kill me, Aeryn, and would've done who knows what to you," he said, his voice rising. He took a few strides toward her. "I don't understand why it surprises you that officials are corrupt."

Aeryn held her ground and lifted her chin to look him in the face.

"Answer my question, Grim," she said, her voice thickening with emotion. She met his eyes, searching out the truth. "Were the men in Ravenwood really Cords?"

"Yes, they were Cords. Slavers and murderers," Grim said, his words clipped. "You think I don't know my enemy? They took fifteen years of my life. The one called Jasper? I was his favorite one to torment. You've seen the scars on my back."

Grim's steely blue eyes blazed like they were on fire.

"I have only ever told you the truth," he said. "You saved my life, and I owe you that much. But if you don't trust me, I don't know what to say to you."