Retrieve

by Sarah Addison-Fox

  Questions battered at him as he stood glaring at the clothing. Why would a girl want to join the Stormers? How desperate had she been to come here?

  What by the gods had driven her to seek solace with a bunch of louts and glorified mercenaries like The Stormers?

  Meg’s face flashed before him. Then the faces of a dozen gaunt girls, starving in Eastbourne where’d they lived, all forced onto the streets to sell themselves, sickeningly sometimes by their own surviving family members.

  His gut knotted as he recalled the hopelessness and desperation they’d all suffered. Famine and sickness had driven them all to extremes. But as far as Kade was concerned, the families that sold their daughters deserved the worst kind of hell the gods could offer them.

  Realisation dawned on him as he pulled himself to his feet and hauled the clothes into the fire, taking the creaky steps two at time. He was out of breath when he yanked open the door, only to find Hadley gone, confirming what he’d suspected.

  She’d been using the camp as a place to hide. A place to get fed, and now, like so many other newbies, she’d gone as soon as her belly was full.

  Hadley had hidden effectively, and it was his actions that had forced her into relinquishing the one thing that was keeping her from the disgusting vermin that preyed on girls like her.

  A few more days and they’d have been in Amaria. What was he supposed to do now? Cester wouldn’t let him go alone. And if he risked it without Hadley as scout, Cester’s patience might finally wear thin, and he’d be demoted or worse, kicked out.

  How could he provide for Meg then?

  Outside the wind was battering trees, rain had begun to fall heavier, making any attempt to flee foolhardy. If Hadley was desperate enough, and Kade knew she must be, she’d be caught in the storm, most likely injuring herself or one of the horses. Horses that didn’t come cheap and would be hard to replace.

  Kade pulled the window closed before the pane could smash. He slammed the door shut and dashed down the stairs, barely pausing as he threw open the tavern door.

  She didn’t have that much of a head start on him. Even if she’d somehow managed to tack the horse, she’d be hard-pressed to have gotten far in that short of space of time.

  Full of confidence he’d intercept her before she made it out of the area, he was gobsmacked to see her mare galloping away, her blonde head just visible in the night.

  Chapter Four

  The wind and rain more perilous than she’d anticipated and the ground slippery underfoot, Hadley’s mount lost her footing almost as soon as they entered the narrow forest path.

  Terror filling her veins, she yanked hard on the reins, only to find the frightened animal unresponsive to her commands.

  A flash of lightning crossed the angry sky before a terrific boom caused her horse to take off at a gallop. Visibility reduced both by the rain and the tree branches smacking in her face, all she could do was hold on tight and squeeze her eyes shut as her horse ran unchecked.

  Her scream was swallowed by an enormous clap of thunder. The mount reared up, desperation flooded her as the reins slipped from her grip and she hit the hard ground with a shriek.

  Hadley lay winded, sprawled out, rain streaming down her face, mingling with hot tears at her own stupidity as the mare bolted.

  Now what could she do? Go back to face Kade? Hope he’d not just set her lose, or worse? The moment they were in better light he had to know she was a girl. Terror overtaking her aching body, Hadley pulled herself to standing, rain dousing her as she tried to get her bearings.

  Over the sound of rain and the wind, and the tremendous thunderclaps, the sound of horse hooves caused her heart to lurch.

  She peered into the rain, squinting to see who was mad enough to ride in a storm. Her heart lurched into her throat as she spotted the figure astride the mount.

  Kade face was set in hard lines as he galloped towards her. His mount skidded as he held out a hand and clamped down on her arm. “Get on,” he yelled.

  He didn’t wait for her to act, just wrenched her arm, so she was forced to scramble on to his horse.

  He yanked on the reins and spurred the horse harder back in the direction of the tavern. Too terrified to do anything else, Hadley clung to him as they crossed the treacherous ground.

  Lightning saturating the sky in front of them, they were almost to the tavern when thunder cracked so loud, her ears rang.

  The horse shied up, Kade’s body tensed and her scream merged with his yell as they both slid backwards. His body landed on hers, knocking the wind from her as they smashed into a tangled heap.

  He jumped to his feet, cursing loudly as the horse broke into a run. His face twisted in anger, he grabbed her, roughly yanking her to standing.

  The wind and rain pounding relentlessly, she stumbled as he half dragged her towards the faint light of the tavern, his fingers locked tight until they were standing breathless at the tavern door.

  He yanked open the door, and shoved her inside, slamming the door behind her. Jack stepped forward, his eyes wide as he gaped at them. “What on earth?”

  Water was streaming down Kade’s face as he glared at her. He shot out an arm, and pointed up the stairs, sending rivulets of water flying. “Get upstairs, now.”

  At the furious look on his face, she shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  Especially alone.

  Jack’s forehead furrowed, dragging his eyebrows together. “Kade?”

  Kade’s posture softened a fraction as the old man placed a hand on his forearm. He slid a look sidelong, his lips curving as he spoke. “Sorry about that.”

  His eyes flicked to her again. His jaw working as he ran a hand through his sodden hair. “Just go wait for me.”

  His eyes held her captive, the candlelight flickering around them, the wind battering against the windows causing them to rattle.

  Hadley swallowed as he stepped closer, his voice dropping so Jack couldn’t hear. “You have some explaining to do. And Jack needs to know he can get to bed.”

  At the concerned look on Jack’s face and the knowledge she was keeping an old man from his rest, Hadley swallowed down the growing trepidation and nodded slowly.

  She turned on her heel and tried to still her pounding heart as she hurried up the stairs.

  Kade’s voice grew quieter as she crept inside the room. A sob locked in her throat, eyes moist with tears, with shaking hands she lit a solitary candle. Less for the light it offered, more so she could search the dreary room for anything she could use as a weapon.

  Because if Kade was anything like Flynn and most of the boys she’d known, she would need to protect herself.

  Kade took a calming breath as he opened the door, still furious that her actions had lost both the horses Cester had furnished them with. And Cester thinks I’m reckless.

  He glared at her as she huddled against the wall. Her eyes wide and her chin quivering. His frustration grew as he considered her. “That was stupid. Really stupid.”

  She flinched and shrunk back a little more, looking every bit the scared girl she must be. He folded his arms over his chest and stayed by the door. “Looks like we’re stuck here. You may as well tell me what made you think you could get away with this.”

  Hadley didn’t speak, her eyes locked on his, light playing with her high cheekbones. Were it not for the scruffy blonde hair, and boyish clothes she’d probably have been attractive.

  His lips quirked as he relived all the moments they’d spent together. No wonder she didn’t want to bathe with all the other boys. How could he have been so utterly dense?

  Kade breathed out a sigh as he moved across the squeaking floorboards towards the fire. He dropped to his knees then struck the flint stone with the steel and set the dry kindling alight.

  Hadley still hadn’t moved, but he could feel her eyes on him, every nerve tingled as he waited for her to speak, or if he guessed correctly by the butter knife in her palm, attack him.


  His lips quirked. That would be just about what he’d expect from her, a strike to the back when he was occupied. Covering his amusement, he ignored the palpable tension in the room and concentrated on building the fire.

  When the flames blazed, he moved away, purposely ignoring the wary look she was sending him. When he’d settled on one of the rickety chairs Jack had provided, he frowned and leant back, affecting as relaxed a posture as possible. “Is your name even Hadley?”

  Her face remained impassive. “Yes.”

  He scratched his nose and asked the first of many questions burbling in his mind. “Why did you think you could join the Stormers?”

  Hadley pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin a fraction. “I can climb, I can run, I can scout. I can help, what difference does it make if I’m a girl?”

  A tiny tug jolted his chest at the sound of her real voice. More feminine than the voice she’d been using, but with an edge to it. This girl wasn’t all sweetness and light, whoever she was. “It makes a sodding difference when you get caught.”

  Her lips pursed, her gaze dropped. “No one was supposed to find out. I was only going to stay until I got strong enough to go back home and make sure—"

  Kade eyed her for a split-second. “Make sure what?”

  She swallowed before answering. “I have a brother. He disappeared a few weeks ago. I thought he might be here, this was the only way I could check.”

  Kade watched her carefully for any signs she was lying still. “You thought he’d joined the Stormers? So you decided to come see for yourself? By joining? Why didn’t you just ask Duke?”

  Her mouth pressed into tight lines. “I couldn’t stay in the lower district anymore. I needed somewhere to stay just for a while.”

  Kade snorted, his eyes on the lightning as it flashed across the sky outside. “Well, this is just perfect. See, I need a scout. I need a horse, and because of you, I have neither.”

  She returned his glare with one of her own as she slowly moved away from the wall. “What are you going to do?”

  His eyebrow cocked. “Do? I can’t do anything. We’re stuck here until the weather clears.”

  Hadley sunk down on to the worn mattress, her brow knotted as she twisted her sodden shirt in her fingers. “I was trying to find a way back to Kingsport. He might be back by now.”

  His forehead wrinkled as he considered her. “Your brother who you were looking for? Now you want to go back and look for him at home? You aren’t making any sense. He probably took off and left you. Wouldn’t be the first time a brother left siblings behind to fend for themselves.”

  She sucked in a sharp breath. “You don’t know anything about him.”

  He shrugged. “No. I don’t. All I know is that because of your idiotic idea to come here, I’m stuck with you.”

  She rose slowly and set her shoulders. “As soon as the weather clears I’ll leave.”

  A jolt of alarm struck him. For himself, for her and for the possibility Cester’s patience would finally wear thin. “All to find a brother who left you to starve?”

  Her huff of air was filled with exasperation. “Why do you have to be so cynical? What if he was kidnapped? Or forced to leave?”

  He almost laughed at her naivety until a thought knocked into his tangled mind. “How old is he?”

  “He’s nearly twenty.”

  Kade moved to check on the fire, more as a stalling tactic than any need. He prodded a log of wood as he tried to find the right words. “And he’s fit? Strong?”

  Hadley scrambled off the bed and closed the distance between them, her eyes inquiring. “He was friends with the merchant’s son. Until a few weeks ago, we were eating well enough.”

  She shifted to stand so close he could smell the residue of what must be boot polish in her damp hair. “There’s a lot of call for men who are fit enough for work. Not just with the Stormers and not just in Azetaria.”

  And not all go willingly.

  Hadley flinched, and he saw the desperation in her eyes that had driven her to run. “What do you mean?”

  The rain created a constant backdrop as he tried to collect the best and least destructive words to tell her. “It’s possible he was coerced into leaving. Or tricked.”

  Kade stepped back, knowing the effect his words would have on her. “He could be in Amaria for all you’d know.”

  Or dead in a ditch somewhere.

  He waited for the flood of tears, but Hadley was staring at the fire, a far-away look in her eyes. “He could be where they have the princess then?”

  He scrunched his face at her lack of reasoning. How’d she get that from what I said?

  “Your brother could be anywhere.”

  Hadley blinked as if coming out of a dream. “But you might be able to find out?”

  He frowned at her. “I’m a Stormer, not a miracle worker.”

  “What am I supposed to do? Just give up? Is that what you would do? For Meg? For Carl?”

  Kade’s jaw worked as he thought of what he’d do if either of his remaining family were missing. He’d tear the world apart till he found them. Dead or alive. Not knowing would be torture.

  He kept his voice even as he spoke. “Are you forgetting that you lied to us all? Maybe if you’d been honest—”

  His voice trailed off. What could he say? That if she’d been honest they’d have helped? If she’d let Duke know she was a girl, he’d never have allowed her to even try out for a place in the Stormers. And if she’d run from her home, she likely had good reason to want to hide.

  Hadley’s shoulders slumped, and she slunk across the room till she was back on the bed. “It’s hopeless then. I won’t find him, and without a male relative I have no claim to my home anymore.”

  Oh, so that’s part of the problem? Our ridiculous ownership laws means she has no rights.

  His stomach tightened as her teeth caught her lip. “I can’t go back to be Flynn’s wench just so I can eat. I’d rather live as a boy on the streets. Or a Stormer if it comes to it.”

  His chest seized at the words. Heat flooded his veins as he finally understood why she’d been so reckless and so desperate to find her brother.

  She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “It doesn’t matter now. The constable will have reported that Thomas is missing and Flynn will probably buy my house to try and bribe me if I go back. You were right. It was a stupid idea to even try to find him.”

  Her eyes found his, and his mid-section twitched. He swallowed, throat thick, and heart beginning to thud a little too fast. As the storm raged on outside, Kade’s thoughts drifted away from the task Cester had set them both.

  Because instead of figuring out how to get back in his captain’s good books, he was already figuring out how he could help the ballsy little blonde chick currently dripping on his bed.

  Hadley’s eyes popped open. Her body wracked with chills from sleeping in her damp clothing. Every muscle knotted with tension from trying to stay awake in case Kade try anything unsavoury in the night.

  But despite her fears, all she’d heard from him over the noise of the storm outside, had been the slightest of snores, and the occasional squeak of the mattress springs as he turned over.

  She pulled her aching body to sitting, the grey light of early morning sneaking through the holey curtains at the single window she’d used to escape last night.

  A soft growl released as she thought of the conversation she’d had with him. His tone hadn’t changed from annoyed, she’d thought, but he’d called a truce of sorts just so they could both get some sleep and ‘try to figure things out in the morning.’

  Her belly grumbled as she ran her fingers through her mostly clean hair and tried to straighten the new clothing Meg had given her.

  A strange thought rattled around her sleep-starved mind as she closed the door. Why didn’t he try anything?

  The rain still pounded against the window as Hadley cautiously stepped down the stairs. Her heart missing a beat when from where h
e sat, perched on the same stool as last night, Kade’s dark eyes locked on hers.

  She paused on the staircase to check his mood. Hadley swallowed past her suddenly dry throat and tried to hold herself with as much dignity as possible.

  He hopped off the stool and gestured to the kitchen, his eyes roaming her face making her cheeks heat. “I’ve asked Jack to make up another room for tonight.”

  She froze. Surprise stealing her reply. A flicker of amusement flashed on his face. “I do have a sister you know. Besides, Cester will skin me alive if he finds out I didn’t do the honourable thing, he’s big on that sort of stuff.”

  Without another word, Kade spun on his heel and stalked towards the kitchen leaving her standing, mouth slackening a little at the unexpected thoughtfulness.

  As she entered the warm kitchen, Jack rushed to her side as Kade took a seat at the scuffed table. “A girl eh? Never would have picked it, but don’t you worry lass, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

  Hadley took a step back, overwhelmed by the kindness in the man’s eyes. She nodded limply before he went back to minding a pot on the wood stove.

  Kade met her eye and kept his voice low as he spoke. “He follows Cester’s religion too, no hanky-panky going on under his roof.”

  The hint of a smile appeared before he raised his voice. “You didn’t go out in this weather did you, Jack?”

  Kade’s voice carried a note of scolding confounding Hadley even further. Jack merely shrugged and placed a bowl of porridge on the table. “I needed to milk the goat and check on the hens.”

  Kade’s frown intensified. “I can do that while I’m here. You need to be more careful. Molly needs you well.”

  Jack snorted and took a seat next to Hadley, sliding a bowl towards her. “That’s Cester for you, he’s made a fine man of this one. When I first met Kade and his cousin they both would have likely stolen my ale and tried to steal a kiss from my Molly.”

  Kade muttered something under his breath, before digging his spoon into his meal. “Carl would have stolen a kiss, not me, Meg would have smacked me if I even tried to talk to her.”