He was shown the way to the The Witchery. The Inn master was more than willing to share his stories about the Prince’s stay there, well aware how good it was for business. The rooms on the floor they had stayed in had their prices tripled. Kaden didn’t hesitate in paying for the room Olivia had slept in. He added a few extra coins so Pup could stay with him. He ordered food to be delivered to his room, and hot water for the bathtub.
When he reached the door of the room he stopped and looked at the handle. She had probably touched that very same handle this morning… he was so close. He almost laughed at this unhealthy obsession with Olivia, but he couldn’t help himself. He and… and… those unfamiliar sensations deep inside him made him want her twice as much.
His hand finally grasped the handle and he entered the room. Once Pup was inside as well, he closed the door with a click of the lock. His eyes scanned the room as he imagined Olivia walking around until Pup’s whimpers brought him out of his daydreaming. He looked down at the little wolf.
Pup sprung forward and sniffled around. As he reached the bed, he hopped on, sniffing frantically. Once he was sure he had picked up the correct scent, he let out sad whimpers.
Kaden’s eyes widened with comprehension and he took a deep breath, letting her lingering scent fill his nostrils. If not for his enhanced senses, he wouldn’t have been able to pick it up. His eyes turned amber-yellow again as the slight trace of her scent registered in his brain. It was a heavenly torment.
The fork in the road, that the Innkeeper informed Kaden about, came up at midday, a lot sooner than the Innkeeper said. Kaden turned right, riding Mousse at a cautious pace as the stable master had suggested. Pup kept up but ventured into the forest on his own, sniffing, playing, hunting. When he got tired, they figured out a way for the pup to jump up on the mare.
As the day’s end grew near, a village appeared on the horizon. Kaden let Pup jump down from the horse before they entered it. Most people ignored them, and went about their business, finishing the day’s work before settling in for the night.
There was only one inn, but it had a clean and spacious stable. Mousse would be well taken care of. As he entered the building, his gaze immediately settled on the back of a woman sitting at the bar. Her dark waves urged him closer.
“Olivia?”
The woman turned. “No, sir. Must’ve confused me with someone. May I help you?” The woman had dark eyes, not blue like sky, nor were they sparkling with curiosity and love.
Kaden stumbled back, his face scrunching with disappointment. It pierced his heart. He inhaled sharply. He should have caught up with them by now.
“I apologize,” he said, his heart suddenly drumming with expectation. “You visit this Inn often?”
The woman chuckled, a low and rumbling sound. “Aye, I own it.”
“Oh.” Kaden was surprised, but shook it off. “Have they… Has the prince passed through this village?”
Frowning, the woman shook her head. “No, no prince ever stepped foot into our village.”
“A woman maybe? Olivia? Hair like yours, bright blue eyes, a noble?”
“No, sir. I would have remembered the likes of her.”
“Are you sure?” Kaden’s hands curled into tight fists.
“Aye. Pretty sure.”
“Maybe you missed them, missed her!” Kaden turned before the woman could respond further. He approached the barman.
“The prince,” Kaden snarled. “Has he stopped here? Or a young woman, named Olivia, dark hair, bright eyes?”
The potbellied man glanced over Kaden’s shoulder then back at him. “No, sir.”
Elbows placed on the wooden slab, Kaden leaned forward. “Maybe they just passed by?”
“No, sir.” The barman shook his head, and again his gaze drifted past Kaden’s shoulder.
Kaden spun around. “What?” He asked the patrons staring at him, the woman standing in front of them.
“We told you, sir. No prince, no woman named Olivia,” the woman said, her arms raised, palms out.
Kaden’s breathing grew labored, fire brewing inside him. His gaze flitted over the features of the men and women eying him warily.
“None of you?” His voice rose and he fought to contain his inner beast.
“Please leave, sir, we don’t want no trouble. But we are not above using force,” the woman spoke in a soft, calm voice as she gave a curt nod toward the door.
“Maybe you missed them!” Kaden spun on his heel and marched out. A sense of foreboding crept up on him, making him restless and nervous. Where could they have gone?
He rode on into the night. The darkness welcomed him into its fold. The vastness of space and the freedom of nature filled him with peace. No towns, no villages, no farmsteads, no people, just trees, grass, and the moon and stars above.
A flicker of a fire in the corner of his eye, drew Kaden’s attention. He lightly pulled on the reins and Mousse stopped.
Maybe they missed the village and are camping somewhere near the road?
A new hope bubbled in Kaden’s heart. He silently laughed at himself. He was surely going mad! But, nonetheless, he led Mousse toward the source of the firelight. The anticipation overwhelmed him, so he jumped of the horse and ran on.
He rushed toward the light and it burst forth into a myriad of tiny lights as fireflies took flight. Only a bush remained behind them. Kaden screamed. He roared possessed.
The anger overtook him.
Sharp pain pierced his shoulder. Kaden turned and faced Mousse. Short breaths, heart pounding in his ears, he stared at the horse bewildered. What just happened? Looking behind him, a decimated bush lay beneath his feet. He was losing control of his own feelings. The sudden insight calmed him down. How is this normal? This obsession, this anger… He had to let it out somehow or it would overcome him. And how would that help Olivia? He had to save her from Magnus. He had to save himself by finding her.
Once again, the quietness of the forest helped soothe his restless spirit. It was as good a place as any to camp for the night.
At the next village, he went straight for the tavern, leaving Mousse and Pup waiting outside.
Flinging the door open, he stormed in. Silence descended over the patrons as they turned to stare at him. His clothes were disheveled, and there were dark circles under his eyes that kept flashing amber, now more often than not.
Kaden scanned their faces; they all made eye contact and submitted to him immediately. His determined strides brought him swiftly to the bar and before the barkeeper.
“Umm... Ca – can I help you, kind Sir?” the man said, cringing under Kaden’s murderous stare.
“Information first,” Kaden said in a cold, even voice.
“Of course, Sir. About what?” the man retorted. Some patrons cautiously readied their swords and makeshift weapons.
“Prince Magnus… has he passed through?”
“No, Sir.”
“A woman, young, named Olivia. Has she?” Kaden hissed through gritted teeth.
“N…n… No, sir.” The man gulped, taking a small step back when Kaden’s eyes turned amber, pupils narrowed into unnatural slits.
“They were headed to Asil. I was told they would pass through here.” Kaden’s breaths grew sharp, his chest heaving with suppressed heat.
“You come from Remor?”
Kaden nodded.
“Maybe they took the other road. It’s the long way about, but the villages are not as sparse.”
Kaden remembered the fork in the road. He made the wrong turn! His heat expanded. It felt good to let it flow through him. He grabbed the nearest table and threw it across the room. It smashed to pieces above the fireplace.
Everyone shot up to their feet, weapons drawn, bottles in hands.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Kaden warned them, his voice not his own. He had the urge to destroy, to burn down every single obstacle on his way to her.
Chapter 10
Olivia was glad she had
a soft bed to sleep upon each night. Camping by the road would not have made her head better. She was still sore, and with her broken hand, taking care of her basic needs was complicated. At least, this way, she could do it with Charlie’s help in the privacy of a room.
They stopped for the night in a small village, almost riding through it in search of the Inn. There were barely a dozen homes in the whole settlement.
Surely someone will let us sleep in a barn. Her father used to plan all their trading travels to the smallest details. She was not used to impromptu trips and managing as they go. Yes, a barn would do just nicely, as long as she didn’t have to sleep on the hard ground. Even in Kaden’s cave, she’d had the luxury of a soft mattress beneath her tired form.
Rising voices reached the carriage and Charlie stirred to wakefulness.
“What’s happening?” Charlie said as she wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth and pushed unruly red locks off her face.
“We have stopped for the night,” Olivia said as she peeked through the window.
“What’s all the fuss about then?”
“You know what, I am going to find out.” Olivia pulled the short cape tighter around her shoulders.
Charlie grabbed her hand. “Maybe you shouldn’t interfere…”
Olivia smiled. “I am just going to see if I can help.”
Reluctantly, Charlie released her grip. She was learning fast that once Olivia set her mind on something, she made it happen. Will she actually be able to escape Magnus’ clutches? Charlie prayed that Olivia would.
Once outside the carriage, Olivia inhaled deeply as she gazed up at the star riddled sky. The stars never ceased to amaze her, and she hoped, that maybe someday, she would get to fly again under their watchful gaze. Oh, Kaden. I do hope you are alive. Her shoulders slumped for a moment, before she pulled them back and made her way to Magnus.
Cassiel was by her side before she reached the prince.
“My lady, maybe you should return to your carriage,” Cassiel said, bringing the light of his torch with him. He was afraid for her. He didn’t want her to provoke Magnus any further, she had pushed her fortune far enough. It wasn’t her fault though, none of it was. She was handling her predicament far better than he thought a young lady like her would. She had inner strength, grace, she was caring, and loyal to her family, willing to give up her own future for theirs. He admired her for that.
“What is happening?” Olivia stopped. She turned to look up at the knight called Cassiel. His soft, almost black eyes, were filled with worry. His voice was just as caring as his gaze.
“The prince is… ah… taking care for our accommodations for the night.”
Olivia raised her eyebrows. “You mean, his accommodations?”
A corner of Cassiel’s lip quirked up, but he didn’t speak aloud against his prince.
“I presume there is no inn or similar establishment in this village. If their barns are not available, it would not hurt us to spend one night under the stars.”
Cassiel sighed. “My lady,” he glanced toward Magnus arguing with the leader of the village, or so the man had introduced himself as such, “The prince is insisting that he… that you need a proper bed to sleep in, being hurt as you are, so he is requesting the man give up his own house for his, I mean, your needs.”
Olivia’s eyes widened. “He will do no such thing!” She stomped off before Cassiel managed to stop her.
One of the brothers stood at Magnus’ side, holding a torch. His other men were resting in the wagon under Donovan’s watchful eye. Theo and Damien, she could not see.
“Ah, there she is.” Magnus’ frown turned into a sickly smile as he lowered and softened his voice.
Olivia stopped far enough away from him so he could not reach out to her. His eyes narrowed. She ignored him as she turned to the distressed farmer. Cassiel now stood behind her.
“Good evening, sir,” she said politely, even adding a small curtsy.
The man’s eyes widened, but he bowed his head quickly. “My lady.”
“The kind man here,” Magnus spoke up with a gritted smile on his face, “has offered his own home for us to sleep in.”
Olivia spared the prince a glance, but spoke to the farmer again. “Do you have a family asleep in there?”
The man nodded, glancing back and forth between Magnus and Olivia.
“Any children?”
Wary, he nodded again.
“We would not want to impose then. I will not have any children woken up in the middle of the night for me. It is a lovely spring night.”
“Olivia…” Magnus warned as he stepped closer to her.
“A barn will do just fine,” Olivia continued.
“I will not be sleeping in a barn!” Magnus snarled, hands fisted at his sides. His face turning an ugly shade of red.
“Now, my dear prince,” Olivia cooed. “You do not wish to inconvenience your loyal servant and his family, do you not?”
Magnus’ control of his temper snapped. He backhanded Olivia.
Hand on her cheek, Olivia gasped. Her eyes brimmed with tears but she wouldn’t let them fall. She wouldn’t cry out and give him the pleasure of her fear and weakness. A intake of breath behind her, Cassiel stood his ground.
The farmer stumbled back with a horrified expression.
“Now look what you made me do,” Magnus said. He then faced the farmer, “Young women these days…”
“Is that supposed to explain something?” Olivia prodded further, she might as well get out all her pent up frustrations.
Magnus raised his hand again, but Cassiel jumped in front of Olivia and grabbed prince’s fist.
“That’s enough!” Cassiel commanded, surprising both Olivia and Magnus. “My prince,” he quickly added as he released his grip. He averted his gaze and lowered his head. Glancing up, he saw the fury in Magnus’ eyes. “Heed my advice, my prince.” He stepped closer and spoke to Magnus only. “It would not be wise to cause such a scene. It may be a small village, but word of mouth carries far. You would not wish to tarnish your reputation over a young woman’s exhausted words. She will learn her place.” Cassiel prayed he would, once again, be able to soothe Magnus’ beast.
Magnus nodded. She would learn indeed.
“My forgiveness, kind sir, for we are travel weary and short tempered. My sweet Olivia needs her rest. She has hurt her head, and is still recovering from the consequences. We will sleep under the stars tonight, and I hope we can break our fast with your family on the morrow.”
“Yes, my prince.” The farmer nodded his head vigorously. “If you need anything just let me know. There is space in the barn.”
Magnus grinned at the man. “We will manage just fine. It will not be our first night sleeping outside.”
The man bid them a good night and quickly scurried away.
Magnus glared at Olivia over Cassiel’s shoulder. He then stomped past them.
“I will not sleep in a filthy barn with filthy animals. Cassiel, Cathal, set up the tents!”
Chapter 11
Kaden closed his eyes and regained control of his temper. “I apologize.” He pulled a golden necklace from his belt bag and threw it on the bartop. “For the damage,” he said. He left the tavern and the town, heading back the way he had come.
It took him a few days of hard travel, but at least he was sure he was on the right road now. He traveled well into the night, only sleeping a few hours before heading out again. The chase was taking its toll on Pup, and even more so on Mousse.
He stopped at one of the farmsteads for the night, finally realizing he and Mousse had to rest or they wouldn’t make it through the next day. The farmstead was small and old, the house barely holding together. It was nighttime when he stepped on the porch and knocked on the door. He suppressed his anger. He needed a night of decent rest.
“Who goes?” an old raspy voice spoke from the other side of the door.
“A traveler passing by, in need of rest for m
e and my mare,” Kaden replied politely.
“How many of you are there?” By the sound of the voice, Kaden was sure the person was old, but he couldn’t figure if it was male or female.
“Only me, my mare and my pup.”
The door creaked slightly open and Kaden was met by a pair of warm brown eyes on an old, wrinkled face of a woman.
“Hmmm… so you say,” she said and looked up at Kaden, taking in his greasy hairy and dirty face full of beard. She barely reached the middle of his chest, slouched as she was. “You stink, boy.”
“Aye,” Kaden smiled at the old lady; there was something familiar about her.
She grunted and studied him a bit longer. It was as if she was looking right into his soul.
“Guess I could use some company, even it does look like death warmed over. God knows I don’t get much out here. What used to be a stable is there,” she pointed a gnarly finger to Kaden’s left, “My cow’s there, settle your mare in the stall next to her. I got good quality feed to share. The bucket is on the right as you enter. The well is there on the left. I’ll warm up some soup for you.”
Before Kaden could respond the door was shut in his face. He chuckled. He needed some lightheartedness to break his gloom.
Once he was done taking good care of Mousse, trying to make up for the abuse she suffered in the last few days, Kaden went back to the house. He knocked first and entered when the old lady yelled at him to let himself in. Pup followed him.
“That dog stays out. No animals inside,” the old lady said as she opened the back door in her kitchen and pointed out.
“He’s used to sleeping with me. I will pay you,” Kaden offered.
“No… I don’t need the money and I don’t want animals in this house, now shoo… you stink enough as it is, don’t need the mangy dog in here as well!”
Kaden’s eyes narrowed. “But ma’am –”
Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2) Page 6
