His reaction tells me everything. First, he had absolutely nothing to do with the scene that played out in my dream, and second, I’ve just utterly and completely embarrassed myself.
“If you were dreaming about me, princess, then I assure you that was entirely of your own doing.”
I drop my gaze to the floor, hoping it might sprout a deep, dark hole I can jump into.
“Though I can’t say I’m not flattered.” The silkiness of his voice has me in danger of conjuring up the images from my dream again. I take a step back, as if that will help me escape them.
“I didn’t know you had a naughty streak,” he eyes me thoughtfully, then advances a step closer, his tone dropping even lower. “Tell me, was I good? Of course I was. But I hope it was trulysatisfying.”
He’s playing with me, the prick. Enjoying every burning ounce of my humiliation. I won’t let him make me cower in shame. Instead, I jerk my chin up and glare at him.
“Are you done?” I demand.
He laughs, and the spark it brings to his eyes softens his taunting, making it more like a joke between friends. But we are absolutelynotfriends.
“Are we still leaving this morning?” I ask, businesslike, desperate to move on from this awful conversation.
“Yes, seeing as you seem better.” I ignore the trace of amusement lingering in his words. “It’s time we get back on the road. Alastor’s been asking around downstairs, and it seems some of the royal soldiers have been out hunting for us not far from here.”
My stomach tightens. A few days ago, I would’ve been hopeful to hear this news, but now my situation is so much more complicated.
“How did they find us so quickly? Weren’t you careful?”
He scowls at my accusation. “No one would be able to track us unless we let them. They were already in the area when reports of you reached them. Though why the Trovian army would have men passing through this backwater, I don’t know.”
He crosses the room to pick up my cloak, passing it to me.
“Hurry up, I don’t want to waste more time,” he says, though his tone is light.
I remember his irritation with me when I woke up yesterday, how annoyed he’d seemed by my slowing them down. That anger has mostly dissipated today, and as I pull on my cloak I can’t help wondering what’s changed. I shake the thought off as quickly as I can. It doesn’t matter what whims guide the Nightmare Prince’s mood.
We meet Alastor downstairs in the tavern, and he looks relieved when he spots me.
“Oh good. The captain told me you weren’t dead, but it’s still nice to see it in person.”
“I think the gods decided I’m too stubborn to die,” I say, earning a snort of agreement from Leon.
They’ve organized new horses and packs for traveling. Though as we leave the tavern, I realize the number of horses is the same—I still have to ride with one of them. I think by now I could work out the basics of it on my own, but when I mention the lack of a horse for me, Leon just grunts.
“After the trading post fiasco, I’m not going to hand you an opportunity to make a break for it. Who knows what idiotic plans you’re brewing?”
I don’t give him the satisfaction of looking riled. In truth, I’m worried about what wouldhappen if those soldiers found us. Would there be any way I could prove my innocence? Would my surrender to the royal forces be enough to get me a fair hearing?
Perhaps. But then there’s the small issue of my being a solari. I have a big secret to hide from the court, one that would condemn me to death the moment someone found out about it.
So what’s left for me? Where can I go?
Not so long ago, I was set on finding sanctuary on the coast, with Will in Gullert. I’d earn my keep—surely he’d teach me how to help around the house and look after him as he got older, and in return I’d felt certain he would give me a home. He’s the closest thing I have to a father, and I know he loves me. But that was back before I realized all the baggage I carry. Could I really expect him to hide a murderous princess, and a heretic to boot?
I’d like to think he’d welcome me. I can only hope so.
We travel until the early afternoon, when we stop to rest and eat. I’m chewing on some bread, brought fresh from the inn, when I look up to see Leon standing over me. I’m instantly uneasy at the look in his eyes.
“Yes?” I ask, wary.
“The side effects of your withdrawal look like they’ve subsided,” he says. “You seem stronger now.”
He’s right. I feel better than I have in days. Maybe longer than that. Despite riding for so many hours, I’m not nearly as tired as I used to get just from sitting around and doing next to nothing. And the aches I’ve gotten used to over the years have vanished. Maybe suppressing my magic was putting more strain on me than I realized. Leaving Gallawing introduced me to a whole new world, but now I’m experiencing it in a whole new body too.
