Cut Amaranthe/Sicarius Dialogue from EE5 Blood and Betrayal

It’s been a couple of months since the final novel in the Emperor’s Edge series came out, and I’ve mentioned that it’ll be a while (2014) before I jump back into that world, but I was hunting for something today and stumbled across some snipped bits of dialogue from EE5, Blood and Betrayal. This piece was silly and did nothing to advance the plot, but those who enjoy Amaranthe and Sicarius moments might have fun with it. (It’s from their trip out to Marblecrest Island.)

Cut Dialogue from Blood and Betrayal

“Have I mentioned how endearing your taciturnity is?” Amaranthe asked.

“No.”

“Good.”

Figuring she should be dedicated to her duty as well, Amaranthe studied the island again, searching for movement or any sign of recent activity. No smoke rose from the multiple chimneys on the roof of the log dwelling, nor were there any watercraft tied up to the dock. Overgrown weeds half hid that dock and grew up the walls of a boathouse.

“Back in the capital,” Amaranthe said, thinking of a way she might draw Sicarius into a conversation, “at Curi’s Bakery, there’s a chalkboard where you can leave comments or rate the pastries and service on a scale of one to five.”

As usual, Sicarius’s expression did not change at her rambling comment, but he had to be wondering about this new topic.

“If I were to rate your service in the aftermath of my unpleasant ordeal, I would give you fives in almost every area.” Amaranthe gazed out over the lake, ostensibly done with the conversation, though she watched him out of the corners of her eyes.

Several moments passed. Sicarius glanced back to check their progress. Birds chirped in the trees, and a splash sounded as some critter left its perch to dive beneath the placid waters. The cool morning air smelled of wood smoke, and she spotted a dark cloud rising from the chimney of a neighboring island.

At the point where Amaranthe had given up on drawing Sicarius into any conversation that morning, he said,

“Almost.”

“Hm?” Amaranthe asked, pretending not to know to what he referred.

“In what area would you suggest improvements?”

“Oh. I don’t mean to be critical, but I did get a touch cold at nights. While I appreciate your dedication to standing a watch–and given that you didn’t ask me to share it with you, I am wondering how you’re able to keep going with so little sleep–I wouldn’t have minded a little snuggling, especially on nights where you deemed a campfire unwise.”

The oars dipped and rose several times, with the rocky outline of Marblecrest Island looming larger ahead of the rowboat, before Amaranthe realized her comment wouldn’t receive a response.

“It’s not your fault, I suppose,” she said, resolving to stop with the frivolous comments after this last one. “I imagine none of your childhood tutors instructed you in the art of snuggling?”

~

For anyone stumbling across this new, you can check out the first Emperor’s Edge ebook for free at any store. Thanks for reading!