Loyalty Or Honour (Book 3)

Chapter Thirty Eight

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"I should go after her." Hunter tells Orion as he watches the space where Ari had previously been in only moments earlier. "We had an argument earlier and I need to speak to her." He looks pointedly at the hand still gripping his arm.

Orion releases him but his look of disapproval is clear. "Leave her alone for now. If she wanted to talk then she would not have ran past so fast."

Hunter bites his lip considering the wisdom behind the words. Then he nods and follows Orion into the training hall. Mercy pauses in flinging knives when they enter the room.  Orion dips his head respectfully but she scoffs and turns back to what she had been doing. Orion grins and strides across the room to stand next to her.

"Mercy."

"Orion." She replies in a clipped tone.

"Care to tell me what Lady Arisxandre of Tikva was doing in here?" He asks curiously.

Mercy raises a brow and watches him from the corner of her eye. "I do not care to, no." Orion tilts his head and narrows his eyes. Mercy laughs. "The last man who interfered with my training still winces when he sits down. Would you like to join him?"

Orion takes a step back and is rewarded with a humoured smile. "Why was she down here?"

"She got lost I assume. I kindly gave her directions back to a civilised room."

"You know where they are?" Orion asks incredulously. Hunter rolls his eyes behind him as he sees Mercy's gaze drift to her next knife. His brother could soon end up with a wound if he is not careful. She, however, simply flings it at the target and goes back to ignoring Orion's presence.

Orion, now bored, lines up with the next target and practises. Hunter watches for a little while but does not attempt to join in. He prefers training outside where there are other factors to acknowledge. Eventually Mercy notices his still figure and turns to him. "You must be Hunter Usani." Hunter blinks at her words. He has not been referred to as a Usani for a little while now and it sounds strange coming from her mouth. For some reason it creates a warmth and a sadness in his chest.

"Where did you hear that name?" Orion asks in Hunter's lack of words.

Mercy dismisses his question with a wave of the hand. "Do not worry. I do not plan to repeat it. The one who told me knows I can be trusted."

"Ari told you." Hunter states without doubt. Mercy smiles softly. She strides up to Hunter and stares up at him.

"She did. If you ever hurt her again you will have me to deal with. Do you understand?" She threatens, her knife's tip pressed into Hunter's stomach but not hard enough to break flesh. He does not move but nods slowly, respecting the threat. She backs away and returns to training. Orion frowns at the words she spoke.

Hunter looks to him, "I have something I must do. I will see you at home later." Orion sighs and nods.

Hunter has been gone for the room for almost twenty minutes when Mercy pauses in her training and watches Orion. She hates to get involved but with the information she has now gathered, it would be wrong not to. "Orion." She calls his name. He pauses in retrieving his knives and turns his attention to her, dark eyes regarding her with curiosity. The men stay out of her way generally and she has already followed the same unsaid rule. It must be important if she has started the conversation.

"Yes Mercy." Orion encourages.

"She never told me his last name. Lady Arisxandre has never even spoken any of his names. I watched and I learned his first name by finding out he is your brother. I know his second because she let little facts slip in between her words. She is an intelligent and loyal young woman but she is just that, young. When she is with someone she is comfortable with and trusts... she is not as careful as she should be with her tongue."