by Eliza Tilton
I dodged the spider’s attack and swung at its leg. The spider zipped to the left, dodging my hit. Raven had an open shot on its flank. Her blade swept in a vertical arc, stabbing between its body and legs.
Her blade shattered into frozen shards of metal.
The spider spun around, Raven staring at her blade in disbelief, and clamped on her shoulder.
Raven screamed as the spider’s dagger-like maw dug into her.
“No!” I launched myself on top of the insect’s body. It released Raven and shook frantically, trying to dislodge me. I punched the spider’s eye with my free hand. Ichor covered my skin. My hand went numb as I dug it into the empty socket. The numbness turned to fire.
Raven lay on the ground, unconscious, and if the bite was poisonous, she could already be dead.
Raven could be dead.
Rage filled me. My hands burned, but I punched harder, stabbed again, and again, until the spider fell onto the ground and stopped moving. I slid off its body and ran to Raven.
Blood dripped out of the two large holes in her fur. “Raven?” I put my ear to her lips. She was still breathing.
With his opponent on the ground, Cael ran to us while the remaining spiders attacked Lucy and her men.
Lucy danced around the spiders, none of them scoring a hit. A strange fire surrounded her arms, singeing the beasts whenever they came too close. In that moment, I could’ve sworn she looked at me and licked her lips, acting as if this was a game.
“She’s still breathing,” I said as Cael bent beside Raven. “But we need to get out of here.”
Cael slid his arm under her body. “We’re close to the end of the pass. We can make it as long as those spiders and our guests continue fighting each other.”
I lifted Cael’s pack onto my back. The weight of both our packs crushed against me. Cael slung Raven over his shoulder. “Keep that bow ready and cover our backs.” Cael started running.
I notched my bow. I took one last look at the carnage behind me. One of the armored men had fallen, and another looked seriously injured. If we were going to escape, now was the time.
Chapter Sixteen
Avikar
Raven lay on the ground, unconscious and burning with fever. We took off her furs to clean the wounds. The skin around the spider bites was already blotched red and purple.
Please, be okay.
“Let me see your hands.” Cael reached out and I showed him my blue hands.
He spoke in a weird language, one I’d never heard before, and his hand glowed.
A light surrounded my hand and heat spread from my palm up my arm. “What did you do?” I rubbed it and the cold began to leave my skin, my natural tan color returning.
“I said a prayer.”
Raven groaned.
“Is there water here?” I stood and gazed around the dark cavern.
Cael pointed past me. “Back there is a small pool. There’s a bowl on the shelf.”
We were in a cave just beyond the pass, hidden behind a frozen waterfall. Cael said divine power protected the cave and only one of The Order’s own could detect it. If Lucy had survived the ice spiders, she wouldn’t find us.
Shelves cut into the rock held jars, bottles, and boxes stocked with climbing equipment, and dried food. We might have enough to spend a few days before heading on down the mountain, a task that seemed impossible with Raven’s current condition. A glow came from the back wall, shining onto a small pool of water. I went to the pool and dipped a rag in it, then collected water into a bowl I had taken from one of the shelves.
Cael crushed a mixture of herbs into a stone bowl. “The spider’s poison works quickly. We were lucky to escape.”
It was more than luck.
Drops of sweat slid down Raven’s face. I patted her head with the wet rag, then pushed her hair back behind her ear. She writhed under the blankets.
You shouldn’t have come.
She saved me when the spider attacked. Without her, I would be lying here.
What could I do to save her? There had to be something.
The words to my mother’s prayer entered my mind and I silently spoke them. Creator, pure and true, let your light remove the darkness.
Raven stirred under my touch.
I leaned over her, kissing her forehead, fire burning through her skin onto my lips. “Don’t you die.”
“She won’t. I’ll make sure of that.” Cael applied the balm into the puncture wounds, lathering the mucky substance on thick. “This will draw the poison out.”
“What is it?”
“Nectar from the black flower in Raswood Forest. It’s a superior healing reagent that removes poison.”
Raswood Forest.
It seemed so long ago since Derrick and I travelled there and fought the winter wolves. The same place I first killed a man. I didn’t know much more about Raswood forest—strange, that my father never mentioned the black flower when he taught me how to gather herbs.
Cael rubbed the rest of the balm in the two holes left by the spider, then wiped his hands off on another piece of cloth. “We’ll need to watch her over the next few days and then we’ll be on our way.”
“What about Lucy?”
Cael looked toward the entrance. “If she’s still alive, she’ll be wandering for a while. She won’t be able to pass through the ward I placed when we entered.”
“It also means once we leave, we’ll need to move. She’ll figure out we haven’t left the area.”
Cael nodded and stood. “I’m going to take stock on our supplies.”
I moved closer to Raven, dipping the cloth into the bowl of water and brushing it against her hot face. She stirred, but her eyes didn’t open. “Jericho would kill me if he knew you were lying here like this. This would be the fourth time you almost died in my presence.” I wiped the cloth across her cheek and against her neck. “Still think I’m worth hanging around?”
When her face cooled, I dropped the cloth back into the water. The small fire in the cave warmed the air, the flames dancing in a frantic rhythm. Each orange hue lulled my body into sleep. My mind refused to follow, but I was exhausted. Tired from the battle and tired from worry, my eyes closed, even though I fought sleep with every ounce of strength I had left.
I woke to the smell of garlic and thyme. Rubbing the dust out of my eyes, I saw Cael stirring a black pot, hanging over the fire.
Raven.
I touched her sleeping face, still warm.
“She’s doing better.” Cael scooped a spoonful of the garlic liquid into a wooden bowl, which he handed to me.
“How can you tell?”
“Her fever is going down. I’ve been monitoring it during the night.”
He was watching her? I nodded as the guilt crept in. How could I fall asleep? If I’d been lying there, Raven never would have fallen asleep while I recovered.
“I must have dozed off,” I said.
“It’s been a long journey. These mountains aren’t an easy climb. I’m used to it though.”
Cael sipped from his bowl and I followed. The soup tasted surprisingly good. Bland, but drinkable, better than I would’ve expected from Blond Boy.
“How many times have you been through the mountain?”
“This will be my third journey.”
“Third? And each time you’ve survived those spiders?”
“We usually go through the pass at night when the spiders sleep. The ice spiders use their natural coloring to hunt during the day. With Lucy on our tracks, we had no choice.”
I wondered if Lucy survived the ice spiders. Somehow, I didn’t think they would stop her.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” He glared at me, and I thought he looked a little angry. “What are your intentions with Raven?”
I was mid-slu
rp when he asked and almost choked. When I cleared my throat, I put my soup down. “My intentions?”
“Yes. A gentleman would treat her like a lady.”
“I always treat her like a lady, except when she’s walloping me during one of our training sessions.”
“Avikar.”
I sighed. “I understand your concern, but you don’t have to worry about Raven. I would never hurt her.”
“Will you marry her?”
“Marry?” These questions should come from my mother, not one of Raven’s childhood friends. I stood. “Is there somewhere I can relieve myself?” I needed to get away from him.
Cael stood, trying to use his height to intimidate me, but that doesn’t work when Garn Desdar is your father.
“Outside the entrance to the right, but stay behind the waterfall or you’ll be past the ward.”
I nodded and turned away.
Cael grabbed my arm. “She’s the most important person in my life.”
My chest heaved with anger. I wanted to punch Blond Boy, but I held back because he was helping Raven. She was my girl, not his. “And I love her more than anyone else.”
His eyes widened.
I ripped my arm from his grip. “Guess I’m not the only one.”
The silence that followed proved I was right.
Chapter Seventeen
Lucino
Jeslyn walked through the harbor, arms full of carrots and cabbage. I crossed the street, heading her off, and stopped just outside her shop, pretending to peruse the goods on display in the window.
“May I help you?”
“Ahh, good morrow, miss. I’m looking for a gift for my mother.”
“Of course, please, come in.” She reached for the door, juggling her armload of vegetables, but I opened it for her.
“Thank you.”
I gave a slight bow and followed her inside. Her hips swayed as she walked, reminding me of her feminine nature. She placed the bundle on the counter, and the sunlight shining in from the window touched her face, highlighting the soft freckles on the bridge of her nose. I had forgotten how captivating her light blue eyes were, and how sensual her rosy cheeks became when she smiled.
I must remember my purpose.
“You’ve a lovely store.” I walked about the different cases filled with an absurd amount of jewelry.
“Please, look around. I’ll be right back,” she said, before disappearing through a back door.
Look around? Has she no sense? How does she know I’m not a thief?
I browsed the wares of bracelets, feigning interest. I had yet to decide how to reveal myself or if I even would.
“Have you found anything you like?” she said upon returning.
“Not sure, miss. I don’t have much.” I pushed the words out in a gritty accent, disguising my fine voice.
She smiled, with no recognition of my true self. If she had, she would be a bit angry—I did try to kill her brother. She placed her hand on my back, escorting me to one of the smaller cases. Her touch brought back the memory of our kiss and I stepped away from her.
“These lupa bracelets are my favorite.” She lifted a pinkish white shell bracelet and held it out on her palm.
“It’s very nice.”
“And inexpensive. The shells are common around the harbor.”
I ran a finger across the delicate bracelet. “I think my mother would like this.”
“Wonderful. I have the perfect little bag.”
She rummaged through boxes, then pulled out a white pouch with gold threading, and put the bracelet inside.
“That’s nice of you.” I dug in my pocket for a few coins.
She came around the case, and I gave her the coins in exchange for the pouch. Our bodies were an arm’s length away. My gaze wandered down her slender neck where the gold chain of the locket disappeared beneath her dress.
“Will that be all?”
“Yes.” I raised my gaze to meet hers. “Thank you, my lady.” I took the pouch and gave a slight bow before turning and leaving the store.
Chapter Eighteen
Jeslyn
Grandfather was terrible at keeping the house supplied with food. I often wondered how he’d survived so long on his own after Grandmother passed. It was dawn and I had just enough time to hurry to Ms. Gen to purchase morning bread, maybe even stop by the fruit merchant for a basket of strawberries.
I tied a scarf around my head to keep my hair from blowing in my face. The wind whipped the long waves around, making me wish for shorter hair.
No one walked the street, but the boats sailed out, shops opened and carts rolled to the market by the docks. When I passed the inn, I glanced at the large red wooden structure. Quiet, mostly because the drunkards were done for the night. I was about to continue my walk when the dark-haired boy from yesterday left the inn.
Only customers would leave an inn this early.
I wrapped the scarf tighter around my head, keeping my eye on the boy as he walked, but he headed in the opposite direction. I needed to go to Ms. Gen and be back in time to help Grandfather open, but I had just enough time for a slight detour.
Hiding behind a woman walking with her two children, I watched the boy zigzag around villagers, his pace impossible to match, especially with a family of three moving slowly in front of me.
“Excuse me.” I stepped around the family, only to realize I’d lost him. His brown hat was nowhere in sight.
I’m being silly. I turned around, sighing, and bustled onward.
Ms. Gen lived a few shops down. The scent of fresh bread mingled with the fresh breeze of the morning sea, a fragrance that reminded me of warmth and comfort, and had quickly become one of my favorites.
The wooden shop sign read ‘closed’. I knocked on the door, peeking through the front window.
Ms. Gen smiled and came over.
“Morning, love.” She opened the door for me. Flour covered her apron, and dusted a few spots of her hair.
“Morning. We’re out of bread again, sorry.” I shuffled inside and she closed the door behind me.
She flicked her hand. “That Harold needs to learn how to shop. I have a perfect pumpernickel you’ll love.” She moved to the large stone hearth and pulled a loaf out of it.
It smelled divine.
“I wish he would let me go to the market and buy what we need. It’s silly for him to keep treating me like a guest.”
She wrapped a cloth around the bread and placed it in my basket. “Your grandfather is a stubborn old man.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled, and I hurried out, racing back to the shop. The wooden plaque that read ‘Open’ hung on the door. When I arrived inside, the dark-haired boy stood by the counter.
“There you are,” Grandfather said. “I need to meet with a new client. Watch the store.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Hello.” The boy held his hat in his hands. His hair ruffled at the ends, and he had a few freckles around his nose just like me.
“Hello.” I placed the basket on the counter. “Is there something else you needed?”
“Oh, no, I wanted to thank you for the bracelet.”
“Your mother liked it?”
His hands twisted the hat.
“My mother isn’t here. I’m just passing through on business.”
So that’s why he’s staying at the inn. Of course. Relaxing a bit, I took the loaf from the basket. “Are you hungry?”
He watched me in silence as I placed the bread on the table. “I don’t want to bother you.”
“It’s no bother.” I smiled and held out my hand. “I’m Jeslyn.”
He slid the hat between his arm and chest, then grabbed my hand with his, kissing it like a gentleman. “Pleased to meet you, my lady.”
When his gaze met mine, my heart stuttered. His eyes were deep blue and piercing.
“Name’s Edward.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Edward.”
He dropped my hand and I reached for the loaf. “What kind of business brought you to the harbor?” I ripped off a piece of the bread and handed it to him. “Oh, I think I have some apple butter in the back that would go perfect with this. Wait here.” I ran to the pantry and grabbed a knife and a mason jar full of apple butter, then walked back out to Edward.
“This is delicious. Have you ever had apple butter?” I lathered my piece of bread, then handed him the jar and knife.
“No. They make it here?”
He spread the butter across the bread in smooth, easy strokes.
“Yes, the orchard farmer. He makes the most wonderful pie too. I’ll have to show you while you’re here.”
“I’d like that.”
We ate the bread in silence. I wanted to ask him again about his business, but decided to wait. It could be personal, and I didn’t want to seem too nosy.
“Where are you staying?”
“At the inn.”
“I heard the cook there is terrible,” I whispered, then nibbled on the bread.
He smiled, a crooked smile. “It ain’t the best meal I ever had, but it’s good.”
The bell above the door rang as a customer walked in.
“Thanks for the bread, Jeslyn. I should be going.”
“Of course. Why don’t you come back at sundown? You can have a warm meal with us.”
His intense blue gaze held mine just long enough that my palms began to sweat. I cleared my throat.
“That would be nice.” He placed his hat back on his head and tipped it to me. “You have a good day.”
Edward left the store, his steps graceful and head held high, almost regally so. Hmm. Not what I would expect from a simple merchant boy.
