Page 52 of The Sunbound Princess
“They gave it to you?” she asked, pulling the bread from the knife.
“The window was open.”
Disapproval flashed across Ezabell’s face. She opened her mouth like she’d scold him. Then her stomach growled. Sighing, she took a bite.
Within minutes, we’d finished the first loaf and half of the second.
Nikolas glanced at the sun as he uncapped the wine flask. “We’re making good time. We should slow down a little. Save our energy.”
Ezabell shook her head. “No. I want to move faster.”
His frown was fleeting but I saw it all the same. “Are you sure?” he asked. “What if the magic leads you in the wrong direction?”
“I think Ezabell knows more about magic than you do,” Helios said. “If you don’t want to move quickly, no one is forcing you to accompany her.”
Ezabell didn’t seem to hear him, her gaze on the trees as she appeared lost in thought.
Nikolas didn’t reply, but he held the sunsprite’s stare as he tipped the wine back.
Helios folded his arms, his hair flaming higher.
Nikolas’s throat worked as he gulped the wine. He lowered the flask, releasing an exaggerated“ahhh.”
The sunsprite’s glower deepened.
“See something that interests you, heatstroke?” Nikolas asked, dragging the back of his hand over his mouth.
Helios replied in a mild tone. “Not at all. I’ve seen animals eat before.”
Ezabell roused. “Stop it, you two.” She stood, putting a hand in the small of her back. “We should get going if we?—”
The clatter of hooves cut her off. Helios vanished in a streak of light, disappearing into the forest with blinding speed.
Nikolas and I tensed, ready for trouble, but a moment later, a single horse pulled a wooden cart around a bend in the road. A plump merchant sat atop the cart, a piece of hay protruding from between his lips.
He sat up straighter as he spotted us. “Sunny day, isn’t it?” he called around the hay.
“Sure is,” Nikolas called back.
The merchant pulled his cart to a stop, curiosity touching his eyes as he looked us over. “You three headed to Solbarren? I could give you a ride.”
Nikolas’s expression didn’t change. “No, but thank you for the offer. My wife and I are just walking to a friend's farm.” He glanced at me. “With my wife’s brother.”
I lifted a hand. “Hello.”
The merchant nodded. “Suit yourselves.” With a click of his tongue, he set his horse in motion again, the cart creaking as it continued down the road.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Ezabell turned to Nikolas. “This road leads to Solbarren?”
“Yes,” he said, the hint of a hard edge in his voice. His dark eyes were sharp as he looked at me. “Is that where the magic is pulling you, Dain?”
I stared at him, letting my expression speak for me.You said you’d come up with a plan.
His jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with irritation.I said I needed time to think.
We're out of time.
His expression darkened.That's what I tried to tell you last night!
