Paxton moved her so that she lay on the bed and he hovered above her, stroking her hair. She raised a knee, pushing back her skirt, and rubbed her bare leg between his thighs.Ugh.
“How long will he wait to advance?” Paxton whispered, placing more of his weight on her. She arched and her head fell heavily onto the pillow.
“When . . .” she slurred and Paxton had to ask her to repeat. “When our insider sends word about . . . princess. . . .”
“Ah.” That was not good news. He cleared his throat quietly. “Who is this mole?”
Her eyes closed and she mumbled incoherently. Paxton’s jaw clenched. This time when her eyes didn’t open again, Paxton let her sleep. He’d never been so thankful for wine. He waited until her breathing was heavy and then he slipped from the room, back to the dormitory.
Aerity could return to Lochlanach in a matter of days, and she had no idea what was in store for her. And where was Princess Vixie? He could only hope she’d been taken to safety. Paxton considered leaving the Kalorian fortress that very instant and returning to Lochlanach, but he knew it wouldn’t be so simple. He remembered what Rozaria had said: nobody in or out without permission.
He rubbed his face in frustration as he fell back onto his pallet. There would be no more sleeping that night. Not unless he knew Aerity and the kingdom were safe again.
Chapter
24
As they rode, taking breaks only for the sake of the horses, Aerity formulated a plan. It was clear that the foe was much larger than her father anticipated. He thought he was dealing with a rogue enemy in Rozaria Rocato, a few monsters perhaps, and a group of her zealous Lashed followers. He believed that if their band of evildoers could simply be caught and destroyed, they could go back to life as usual.
Now they knew better.
This was so much larger than anything they could have anticipated. Prince Vito—and possibly the entire kingdom of Kalor—was against them. It was up to Aerity now to implement changes that would hopefully benefit all Lochlans,appease Prince Vito and Rozaria, and get her parents back.
Seas, don’t let them be dead, Aerity silently begged. Pain shot through her chest at the thought. She leaned forward and rode harder. She heard a shout of surprised laughter from Vixie behind her.
“Look at you go!” her sister said with apparent pride.
Aye. Fear of horses was no longer a luxury Aerity could afford. Neither was sleep, for that matter. Her eyes were heavy.
But onward they rode.
They stopped only when Tiern said his horse was tiring. Aerity considered telling him about Paxton, but something held her back. She’d left Paxton in a dangerous situation. Tiern would no doubt be worried, and possibly want to seek him out. Aerity couldn’t allow it. So instead they took their break in silence, all exhausted. She would tell him when they reached the castle.
As they set to tending to the animals’ needs, Tiern began casting furtive glances toward Aerity, but she pretended not to notice. Perhaps if they could ride a bit farther before he found out, it would lessen his desire to turn back.
“Tiern,” Aerity said, “how about you take Furball to lighten your horse’s load and Vixie can ride with me.”
“Erm . . .” Tiern stared down at where the creature was digging at an anthill, gouging its claws deep into the soil as if cutting through butter. Even Vixie eyed Furball with misgiving.
“He’s only a cub,” Aerity promised. “And he rides well. Naps like a babe.”
“I’ll take him,” Harrison said. “Let Tiern and his horse rest a bit.” Tiern looked relieved.
Aerity paced while the animals were fed and watered. Then she followed Vixie’s lead and set to rubbing down the horses’ legs and hind muscles. Jude let out a whinny of joy at his massage.
“By the depths, Aer,” said Vixie. “He actually likes you!”
Aerity laughed. “I know. Madness, right? I’ve named him Jude.”
Vixie smiled, then looked over Aerity skeptically. “Your hair has turned a shade of grayish brown now.”
Aerity groaned and smoothed back the top of her head. She could only imagine how awful she appeared. “When we return, I’ll have Caitrin try to fix it somehow. Red dye, perhaps.” Though her hair and appearance were the least of her concerns at that point.
“What will you do when we get home?” Vixie asked with seriousness.
Harrison and Tiern both stopped what they were doing to watch her.
“I’ll do what I’ve wanted father to do all along. I’m going to set up a post, probably on royal lands: a safe area where Lashed can work. It will be guarded. If it works, I’m going to open a second in Dovedell outside the gates. And then another.”
