Good Night

by L. R. W. Lee

  Kovis had fared better it seemed as I looked him up and down. At least the shirt fit him, although the trousers were overlarge in the waist. Holding his pants up with one hand, he wandered into the grass, bent down, cut a few stalks, then tied the ends together to form a length that would reach around his waist and secured it in front. Who needed a leather belt? It was probably closer to what folks in these parts did to hold their pants in place anyway.

  “How do I look?” I asked.

  He looked me up and down, but no passion sparked in his eyes. “It’ll pass. Me?”

  “Good. You look good,” I replied in an even tone. He looked amazing. Not even these poor clothes could rob him of his good looks. But he probably wouldn’t appreciate hearing me say that with him shutting me out.

  The horses were overburdened already with the pelts, so after I pulled my dress up and Kovis hoisted me into the saddle, he handed me my leathers—we’d stash them close by, not weigh down our mounts more than necessary. We’d return for them, but they would betray us if anyone saw us with them.

  I adjusted my skirt as much as possible to cover my boots. Kovis grabbed his leathers and mounted Alshain, then eased his stallion forward at a walk.

  We ambled down the dusty road until another road appeared on our left, the only one that ran through town. Kovis directed us to the right to the nearest copse where we dropped our leathers and he stashed them out of sight.

  Load lightened, Kovis had me ride even with him to create the impression that we were husband and wife. If only. I shoved the thought aside as we continued down the main street.

  One and two-story wattle and daub buildings stood on either side with signs out front announcing the nature of business conducted inside: cobbler, tanner, smithy, farrier, tavern, and more. Townspeople stopped and stared as we passed. Despite our change of appearance, we still stood out. I shouldn’t have been surprised. There weren’t that many people in this village judging from the number out and about. They probably all knew each other, so no matter what we’d done to our appearances, they would have spotted us. Kovis ignored how out of place we looked. I found it hard to.

  They’re staring at the pelts, not us. Relax, Ali.

  I chanced a look around. He was right. Their eyes lit on our furry cargo before curiosity drove their sight upward. My shoulders hunched just a little in relief.

  Kovis stopped the horses before a building with a weathered sign that read Ulster’s Mercantile. It had a wooden porch that wrapped around its front, and its white paint was peeling. Playing the part of dutiful husband, he dismounted and tied Alshain to the hitching post next to three other mounts, then came around and helped me down.

  Kovis extended his elbow, and I took hold, trying to keep the stickiest part of my hand clear. I hitched up the overlong skirt and prayed I wouldn’t trip and draw more attention. It felt like everyone nearby stared as we ascended the four steps and strode inside, although my mind was probably exaggerating. I was glad when the door closed behind us.

  A man and a woman, who I presumed to be his wife, perused a shelf of candles to our left. Another man whose muscles bulged beneath his shirt looked over an assortment of axes. A woman with two small children clinging to her skirts examined a metal washtub. Pelts from a variety of animals hung from the rafters in the far corner of the shop. We were in the right place. A handful of other townsfolk milled about; I speculated they waited on a spouse and whiled away the time dreaming of owning a curiosity or two. The hum of chatter from neighbors exchanging news filled the place, and I relaxed.

  The shopkeeper, Ulster, I presumed, emerged from the back, and Kovis strode toward him. I followed a step behind.

  “We were just passing through and would like to sell several pelts. Would you be the one to speak with?” Kovis asked, stopping at the counter.

  Ulster furrowed his brow and looked first Kovis and then me up and down. “That all depends. You ain’t from around these parts,” he drawled. “Where you from?”

  “Does it matter, sir?” Kovis asked, trying to steer the conversation back to safer territory. “We aren’t looking for trouble. If we can just sell our pelts, we’ll be on our way. They’re burdening our mounts overly. And we need supplies.”

  Ulster’s eyes roamed between Kovis and me, lips in a thin line. I couldn’t begin to guess what he looked for—some invisible sign that told him he could trust us? Or was he trying to intimidate, he was insorcelled after all. Such behavior would probably be consistent with the picture originally painted for me that warriors sought to gain advantage over another in any way possible off the battlefield.

  I resisted fidgeting and prayed our disguises made us look insorcelled, not that I had any clue what “looking insorcelled” meant. If he was sharp enough to know we bore magic, after Rasa’s edict, we might be in trouble.

  Too many politics to consider, I shut the thoughts out. I’d begun to question the whole narrative about barbarian warriors after my conversation with Nomarch Kett at The Ninety-Eight championship dinner. I wouldn’t indulge in speculation when Ulster hadn’t done anything but scrutinize us.

  Neither Kovis nor I flinched. Perhaps our calm or determination was what swayed him, but he finally said, “Fine, show me what you got.”

  Ali, gather the supplies we need while I negotiate a trade. I’ll be right back.

  I gave a small nod as he turned, then headed to the section where I’d seen blankets stacked. I bit my lip but grabbed two. A pot was next on the list, and I’d just located a modest selection of copper vessels with lids when I overheard Ulster.

  “What in tarnation? These pelts is purple! What kind of beast is this? How’d you—” The shopkeeper’s voice carried, and several patrons turned their heads.

  I couldn’t hear Kovis’s reply. I guessed he intentionally spoke softly. He’d told me he used the tactic when people were upset because it nearly always calmed them down—they had to quiet down to hear him.

  I waited to hear Ulster again. Would we need to make a hasty exit? I hoped not.

  I waited, but not hearing any further exclamations from the shopkeeper, I went back to pan selection, deciding on a medium-size pot that would serve the purpose but not be too large to stow as we traveled. Next up, rope, a metal poker that would double as a spit for roasting meat, salve and fabric to bandage wounds—gods forbid we needed it—woolen braies, and two fur-lined cloaks. I saved coffee for last as it was our one luxury. I hoped Ulster gave Kovis a good price for the furs.

  Arms overflowing with my selections, I wove my way between the shelves and patrons, back to the front, laying everything down on the counter near Kovis. Two women were chattering while running their hands through the purple fur of one pelt that was spread across the counter—if they only knew what manner of beast they fondled. I held back a snort. Ulster was frowning, Kovis grinned. It seemed the pelts had just increased in value.

  Ulster said, “I’ll give you a groat and peran for the lot of ’em.”

  Kovis frowned. “They’re worth a crown and you know it.”

  “You said you needed to unburden your horses; I’m just trying to help,” Ulster replied, as another shopper joined the first two.

  I rolled my eyes. Perhaps the reputation of insorcelled people was more on point than I’d thought.

  “Throw in these supplies, and you can have the pelts for a groat and peran,” Kovis said.

  Ulster’s nod was begrudging at best, but he accepted.

  I let out a breath. We’d both been worried about coming into town, being recognized, and having Father find us. It was looking like we’d get in and out without any problems.

  “Hal!” A woman appeared from the back room. “I need—” She cut herself off, stopping behind the counter beside Ulster, who appeared to be her husband. “Oh, pardon me. Say, that’s a pretty color on you, what with your golden hair.”

  I shifted nervously, hating the attention. “Thank you.”

  Time to go. Kovis picked up our provisions and nudged
me.

  “I have a dress the same color. It’s my favorite,” the woman continued, smiling.

  “Thank you, but we best be on our way.” I waved.

  “Hey, wait…” The woman’s mouth moved like a fish beneath her furrowed brow.

  “What is it, Krea?” Ulster grumped. “Spit it out, woman.”

  “She’s… That’s my dress she’s wearing!” The woman pointed and waved.

  “Now, dear—” her husband objected.

  Customers, disturbed by the outburst, started moving toward us.

  Run! It took no convincing. Kovis grabbed all but the blankets, which I managed, and we raced for the door.

  “And look! Hal! He’s wearing your shirt! I’d recognize that stain. There, right by the collar! You got who knows what on it when you were putting stock away. I’ve never been able to get it out.”

  The burly man who’d been perusing axes stepped into our path. We couldn’t both evade him with his arms stretched wide as they were. He grabbed me and held on tight despite my kicking. The blankets fell to the floor before me.

  Another shopper grabbed Kovis from behind, forcing him to drop the rest of our supplies. Kovis was strong, but his captor had clearly spent time in the fields and had plenty of muscle of his own.

  Don’t use your magic, Kovis warned through the bond.

  I nodded.

  “You stole our clothes! Hal, they stole our clothes!” Krea ranted.

  “Hush, woman,” Ulster commanded, then scowled. “I thought something was familiar about you, but I couldn’t place it. Now that she says it, I agree, you’re wearing our clothes. Explain yourselves.”

  Every shopper in the store had been drawn by the commotion and surrounded us.

  The man holding Kovis jerked his arms further back, forcing a grimace from my Dreambeam.

  I gave my shoulder a strong jerk, even though I knew it was futile with this man’s arms wrapped around me. He tightened his squeeze.

  Don’t fight him, Ali. Pretend you’re just an average woman.

  An average woman?

  Don’t let them know you have any idea how to fight. They could recognize you from The Ninety-Eight.

  I stilled. What are they going to do to us? The question poured from me, despite knowing he knew no more than I did.

  We need to wait and see; only then will we know how to fight.

  Kovis had more experience dealing with conflict than me. I just hoped he could figure a way out of this.

  Kovis met Ulster’s eyes. “You are perceptive. Ma’am, I apologize. We meant only to borrow your clothes.” Krea harrumphed. “You were correct, we aren’t from these parts. We ran into a bit of foul luck and had nothing to wear into town that wouldn’t offend your sensibilities.”

  Stretching the truth a bit, but it wasn’t a lie.

  “I want our clothes back! That’s my favorite dress!” She glowered at us.

  “You heard my wife.” Hal nodded, and our captors released us.

  I took a step away from Long-Arms. Kovis stretched his arms.

  “Well…” Krea grew impatient and thrust her hands on her hips.

  I caught her eyes. “What? Strip here?”

  She crossed her arms and gave a single nod.

  My mouth dropped open, and I glanced over at Kovis.

  Do it.

  “Shoulda thought about this before you decided to steal from us,” Krea griped as I reached to undo a bust button.

  Kovis had the shirt and britches off in no time and handed them back to Hal. Krea swiped them away.

  I felt every eye on me as I undid the final button, took a deep breath, and pulled the dress over my head. The woman grabbed it before I’d brought my arms fully down again. She turned with a huff, clutching the garments to her chest, and marched into the back.

  I drew my arms close, covering my chest. Onlookers ran their eyes up and down my unmentionables.

  “Hey, he’s got a tattoo. See there.” The observation came from a tall, skinny man standing at the back of gawkers. He pointed at the part of Kovis’s tattoo that peeked above the neckline of his braies—the funnel cloud that depicted his Air magic. The ink changed from violet to bright red.

  “It just changed colors!” a woman screeched.

  “He’s a sorcerer!”

  I didn’t know who shouted the last comment, but firm arms again captured Kovis. Grumbling and murmuring and all manner of complaining about Rasa’s edict emanated from the crowd. Kovis had been right. Her declaration had not been well received among these people.

  Hal stepped forward, drew his hand to the top of Kovis’s braies and yanked, leaving everyone to ogle the design on Kovis’s muscled chest.

  “Hey, she’s that girl who won The Ninety-Eight!” another onlooker announced. “I’d recognize that blonde hair anywhere!”

  It didn’t take them long to deduce the rest. If I’d won, Kovis had to be the crown prince, for he’d made no secret of his feelings for me at the tournament. A heartbeat later, arms again constricted me, and I felt a blade at my throat.

  Really? I resisted rolling my eyes. Now that they knew our secret, this brute couldn’t possibly believe he could hold me. And surely he didn’t believe Kovis, the most powerful sorcerer the Altairn Empire had ever known, wouldn’t rescue me. He was crazy if he did. Who knew what they might do to us to voice their dissatisfaction to the empress.

  This changes things, Kovis said.

  I pulled my shoulders back despite strong arms. We would not be intimidated. I scanned those gathered and caught the first man’s gaze. He looked away. The woman beside him did as well. But the next man’s eyes were cloudy. I gasped.

  What now? Kovis asked.

  Cloudy eyes.

  Kovis found the man I stared at. Shit!

  I continued around to find another three with eyes bearing the same whitish cast. We’d evaded Father after Kennan found us, but he would again know our whereabouts.

  Time to go before things get out of hand, Kovis declared, and with that he drew his foot back between his captor’s legs, hooked one, and quickly straightened. The man wobbled, trying to regain his balance, but wasn’t in time. Kovis pushed him down with his winds.

  With the distraction, I brought my heel down hard on my captor’s instep. He groaned as his grip on my arms slacked, and I slipped out, then used my own magic to force him to the floor.

  Shall we? Kovis asked, stooping to pick up our supplies while I held the lot of them back with my Air magic.

  Don’t worry about nuancing your power, he added, to which I chuckled.

  I caught movement in the crowd and grabbed a thread of Kovis’s magic, conjuring an ice dagger, which I sent soaring at a hand that held a knife above the heads of onlookers. A yelp erupted from the back, and the weapon dropped from sight.

  Nicely done. I thought I detected the hint of a smile, but he schooled his features once more. Arms bulging, he nodded toward the door. I grabbed the blankets again, and we beat a hasty retreat. Shouts, obscenities, and complaints about ungrateful sorcerers chased us, but my winds blocked anyone from leaving the store while Kovis strapped our purchases to the horses. He threw me up in my saddle, and we headed out of town at a gallop.

  Shoppers spilled out into the street waving fists. A few raced after us. I turned around, and with a thought, our pursuers as well as the lot of gawkers collapsed into the dirt, fast asleep.

  “Yes!” I celebrated, throwing a fist above my head, but Kovis didn’t react. I sighed.

  We stopped by the copse of trees just outside of town and retrieved our leathers. Despite Kovis’s coldness, I released my pent-up energy by babbling about what we’d done. It felt good to have my leathers on again. I’d felt unprotected without them. I dug out my ring from the bottom of my saddle bag. Kovis watched out of the corner of his eye. I knew he did. But he refrained from comment as I put it back on.

  He could continue sulking all he wanted. Forget that I was responsible… I stopped the thought. No, I wasn’t r
esponsible for his moodiness. This was his choice. He wouldn’t even listen to my explanation. I wouldn’t allow his melancholy to squelch my joy.

  I’d allowed his emotions to control me the last time, and it just made me sad. It’s what had spawned that forbidden kiss. And then I’d gone and ignored Kennan’s council to not get wrapped up in Kovis’s moods. Never again. Not if I could help it.

  I forced a smile as I surveyed the blankets and cloaks strapped to the horses. With these and the abundance of other supplies, including coffee, no matter how long it took me to figure out how to return to Dream, I wouldn’t wake up frozen anymore… whether Kovis and I shared intimacy or not.

  The rhythmic sounds of dripping water greeted me as I stopped just inside the entrance to the cave as the sun sank below the horizon. I forced my inhales to match the slow drip. Once I’d calmed myself, I strode forward.

  Zagan, one of my mares, saluted. “My liege.”

  I returned his gesture then continued past. My objective lay in the heart of this cave. I took a hard right and ducked to avoid the low archway.

  “Report.”

  Morfran, one of my commanders, bowed low before me. “It wasn’t easy finding her, my liege. They tried to hide her, moving her between palaces. It took patience, but we finally secured her when she emerged from your sons’ residence.”

  No surprise. They’d done the same trying to hide Alissandra. I met Velma’s gaze. Even in the dim light of the cave, it was easy to see her wings tucked tightly, but she’d thrown back her shoulders. Clenched fists rested on her hips as she tried to stare me down. There was no repentance, let alone fear in her. Silly child.

  “Good work, Morfran. Dismissed.” I nodded at Bate, the other guard, to leave us as well. This was a family matter that demanded discretion.

  Alfreda sat rigid on the moss-covered bed, face drawn. My men had followed orders, that much was clear judging by the dark circles under her eyes. The bruise on her cheek disturbed me though. What measures had they been forced to go to to withhold sleep? And did she bear any other marks? I pushed the thought away. I’d address her treachery after.