by Chandra Ryan
“Is that everything?” He was standing so close she could feel the warmth radiating off his body.
“Just one more thing,” she said, determined to ignore his nearness. Gently, she picked up a small mirror and packed it carefully in between layers of clothing.
“You still have that old thing?” he asked.
“It was a gift from you,” Sara argued.
“Didn’t stop you from pitching the dress I gave you for your eleventh birthday,” he commented dryly.
“It was horrid. Really, did I seem the brocade type?”
“True. My mother picked it out.”
“Guess I should have known. I never could imagine you at a dressmaker’s shop picking out fabric.”
“So, I take it you two know each other,” Liv said abruptly.
Turning to her friend, Sara’s cheeks warmed with embarrassment. She’d completely forgotten about her. “Oh, sorry, Liv. Yes, actually we grew up together. We were friends back at Raven’s Keep.”
“You grew up. I was practically grown the day you were born,” Kavin corrected.
“Grown? You were ten. That hardly constitutes being grown.” Closing the satchel, she took one last look around the room. “But he’s right in sentiment. I guess we probably weren’t exactly friends. I used to follow him around like a lost puppy, which probably made me more of a pest.” She met his gaze in bold challenge. “Is that better?”
“More honest at least.”
“So he was just some older man who stayed at your keep and gave you random presents?” Liv eyed them suspiciously. The woman was shrewd. She knew when she wasn’t given the entire story.
“No, he’s a Hunter. He’s Devin’s older brother.”
“Wait,” Liv said, looking at them in disbelief. “If he’s Devin’s older brother then that would make him the Lord Hunter.”
“She’s quick,” Kavin replied dryly. “That could explain how she came by your necklace.”
“I gave her the necklace,” Sara said defensively before turning back to Liv. “And he, well, abdicated his title.”
“If you can call being disowned and kicked out abdication, then I guess that pretty much covers it,” he clarified with a shrug.
“What in the name of the gods did you do to be disowned?” Liv’s eyes widened like a pet seeing a treat dangled before them.
“You overstep, Liv.” Sara’s voice was harsh as she glanced from the girl to Kavin. She didn’t mean it to be, but it was.
Liv blushed brightly as she looked away from them. “You’re right. I apologize.”
That only made Sara feel worse. She wasn’t mad at Liv. She was embarrassed. It was her fault that Kavin wasn’t the Lord Hunter—more or less. And she didn’t exactly feel like telling the story with him standing in the room. The only thing worse would be listening to him tell it.
The thought made her grimace.
No, her outburst had nothing to do with her friend and everything to do with her. And yet it was Liv who was hurt. “No, I owe the apology. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Especially on the night we’re to say our farewells.”
Liv studied her for a moment before nodding. Her smile was slow, but it did return. Feeling a little better Sara turned to Kavin and asked, “Did you tell the Lady Drake I would be leaving?”
“I gave her the papers just now. She wasn’t exactly pleased, but I don’t expect any trouble.”
“All right then.” The room gently swayed around her as she accepted the finality of the moment. Grabbing her heavy riding cloak, she took a deep breath and nodded to no one in particular. “I guess that’s everything. Tell Aster I said goodbye. Oh, and keep that necklace hidden. I would hate to hear you were killed over it.”
“Considerate.” Liv slipped the firestone under the neckline of her dress nonetheless.
“I will miss you.” It was her turn to give the encouraging hug.
“No, you’ll be too busy having great adventures to miss the likes of me.” Liv was only teasing, but Sara still wrapped the woman tighter in her embrace.
Taking a step away from her friend, she then wiped a tear from Liv’s cheek. “There is no adventure great enough to make me forget you.”
Kavin opened the door and, placing his hand on the small of her back, gently propelled her through it.
“Goodbye,” Sara called over her shoulder.
“Wait, what shall I tell Lukas?” Liv called out.
Thinking of Lady Drake’s errant son, Sara chuckled to herself. “Thank him for his hospitality and tell him I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. And that I sincerely hope none of them get him killed.”
Liv’s laugh echoed on the stone corridor walls as Sara and Kavin walked away.
“That sounded like an intriguing goodbye,” he said when they’d made their way far enough down the corridor not to be overheard.
Was it her imagination, or had he tensed when he’d talked about the other royal? Either way, a little goading couldn’t hurt. “We had an intriguing relationship. I only wish I had the time to say goodbye in person.”
“I’m sure,” Kavin said dryly. “But it’s important we be as far away from here as possible by nightfall.”
“Because the king needs me?” She was too busy dodging the constant stream of people making their way through the corridors to study him.
“Exactly.”
“And there isn’t any other reason?”
“Such as?”
“Why don’t you want Devin to know I’m to be a guard?” Now that everything was settled and they were on their way, she was curious about the brothers’ motives. She didn’t want to think Devin’s visit had anything specifically to do with her, but she wasn’t naïve enough to believe in coincidences. Not when royals were involved.
“What?”
“You said that you wanted to be out of here before Devin knew I was to wear black. Why?”
“You know, with that gift of yours, I’m surprised you have to ask as many questions.”
“I won’t use my gift like that.” She cringed at the thought. “I would be betraying not only you but also the magic. Either you trust me enough to tell me, or you don’t. But I won’t steal information from a friend.” She followed him into one of the larger corridors, his pace brisk as he navigated the maze expertly.
“But from an enemy?” he asked after a second of silence. “Would you steal from them?”
She shook her head at the obvious dodge, but she had meant the words when she’d said them. Just because she could take the information didn’t give her the right to. “My enemy or an enemy of the king?” There was a difference. At least, there was as far as she was concerned.
“An enemy of the kingdom.”
“I have honor,” she answered. “If someone were threatening the kingdom, I would use my gift.”
“Good.” He didn’t even look back at her as he turned another corner in the maze of corridors.
It didn’t exactly feel good to her, though. Necessary maybe, but not good. She would use it for the safety of the kingdom, but it was a lot of power to hold over another person. “If you think so.”
“Have you been able to do anything besides read minds?”
“What? Reading minds isn’t enough?” she joked darkly.
“Sara?”
“I’m also aware of people’s general moods, to some degree. It depends on how well I know them, though.” It was a vague answer at best and she knew the challenge was coming before he even opened his mouth to issue it.
“No offense, but most people are aware of others’ moods, to some degree, depending on how well they know them, without magic.”
“Look, I’m still trying to figure this all out, myself. But you asked and so I answered.”
He chuckled lightly as they turned another corner.
Sara didn’t feel amused, though. Not as she looked up to realize that all that stood between her and her new life was the massive door that led out of the keep. This would be the l
ast time she passed through the door that had given her safety six years ago.
“You ready?” Kavin asked softly.
Did it matter? She brushed her uncertainty away and took a deep breath. “I think I am.”
Having her answer, he nodded stiffly to the knights who worked the large cranks that controlled the door’s pulley system. As the chains clinked loudly, Sara braced herself against the brisk autumn wind that rushed into the keep and tightened her heavy riding cloak around her slight frame. This was it. This was goodbye.
Straightening her shoulders, she stepped over the threshold without looking back. “Is it crazy that I’m going to miss this place almost as much as Raven’s Keep?”
“You’ll be back. Being the eyes and ears of the king requires a lot of travel.”
Yes, that was something she definitely remembered from her youth. Guardsmen were always on the move. There was always some adventure waiting for them in some small corner of the kingdom.
“Speaking of which, I don’t suppose anyone traveled with you, did they?” She was already scanning the courtyard hopefully.
“Actually, now that you mention it, I did bring a couple of people with me. They’re waiting for us at the stables.” The elusive answer earned him a jab in his ribs with her elbow.
“Jar?” She tried to make out the figures standing beside the stables, but they were still too far away. “Did you bring Jar?”
“Have I ever been able to leave him behind?” Kavin asked dryly.
“Not to my knowledge.” Making another pass, she was finally able to spot his lanky form and shocking white hair. He was from a southern keep and there his light hair and fair skin would have blended in with the general populace, but here—in the north—it made him stick out like snow in the middle of a desert. “How’s he been?”
“He’s been good—real good.”
Sara smiled, relieved by the news. Of all the brothers-in-arms Kavin had introduced her to over the years, Jar, with his tormented past and boyish good looks, had always been her favorite.
“Jar,” she called when they were close enough for him to hear.
“Princess.”
“Damn, is he still calling me that?” She cringed at the pet name.
“Appears so. And when did you start cursing?”
“Probably about the time I started wearing stockings and corsets.” She smiled at the pink that touched his cheeks.
“This might take some getting used to.” Kavin said the words softly, as if they were more for his benefit than hers. But she didn’t care what he had to get used to. She had an old friend to greet.
“Jar.”
“I honestly didn’t ever think I would be seeing you again,” Jar said awkwardly.
Sara laughed before throwing herself into his arms. “I’ve missed you too.”
He held her for a second then let go, thrusting her to arm’s length so he could study her. “So, tell me, princess, how’s life been treating you?”
“Surprisingly, not so good. Don’t know if you’ve heard, but I got a bit singed a couple years back.” It was best to just get it out in the open. And joking about the raid seemed to put people at ease.
“I had heard something about that,” he teased back.
“But now that you two are with me again, it’s bound to get better.”
“One would hope. It couldn’t get much worse,” Kavin said, interrupting their conversation. “Everybody, this is Sara. Sara, this is Kemah and Shemeek, and of course Jar, whom you obviously remember.”
Sara turned to the other two members of the group, not expecting the chilly reception she received. Kemah looked about her age. He was taller than average, but just. His naturally tan skin and black hair spoke of a northern heritage. But his eyes were the blue that often denoted southern. His lean frame and natural grace, not to mention the cold reception he gave her, reminded her of Devin.
The other member, Shemeek, was every bit as beautiful as Kemah was handsome. Her blonde hair and pale eyes hinted at a southern heritage. But maybe not quite the same region as Jar, Sara decided after studying her for a second. The women from Jar’s region were known for slight frames, and there was nothing about this curvaceous woman that could be considered slight.
Tipping her head in greeting to the two strangers, Sara found she immediately disliked the lovely Shemeek, who ignored her completely. And she wasn’t overly fond of the handsome Kemah, who nodded back with a condescending look of disgust.
It was okay, though. As long as she had Kavin and Jar, everything else would work out.
“Kavin.” Shemeek’s voice was heavily accented as she said the name. That was something Sara hadn’t expected. “I fear there will be trouble soon. Your brother has been asking many questions and has had a man check on us often.”
“Not to worry. We have what we came for.” Kavin took his horse’s reins from the stable boy as he nodded in Jar’s general direction. “Jar, can you make sure Sara doesn’t get left behind?”
“I was riding before I could walk,” Sara argued as Kavin mounted his stallion with effortless grace.
Determined to show him and the others that she could, indeed, still ride a horse, she placed her foot into the stirrup confidently and did her best to emulate his mount. But her foot slipped out of the restraint just as she was putting her weight on it, sending her to the ground with a loud thump that left her cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Okay, so I may be a little out of practice,” she admitted as she stood and brushed the dirt off her breeches. “But I don’t need an escort.”
“Of course not. It was ridiculous for me to suggest it.” The humor was apparent in Kavin’s voice—even over Shemeek’s husky laughter.
Jar shot the other woman a dark look before coming to Sara’s side. “Let me give you a boost.” To his credit he hadn’t used the dreaded nickname.
She considered attempting the mount again without his help, but quickly dismissed the idea. “Thank you,” she said stiffly. As much as she hated the idea of accepting his aid, she hated the thought of landing on her backside a second time even more. And thankfully, with his help, Sara found herself successfully sitting in the saddle this time.
After Jar mounted his horse, Sara nudged hers next to his. “How long’s she been riding with you?” she asked, gesturing toward Shemeek.
“For a while now. Why?”
“Just wondered. I don’t think she likes me very much.”
“There aren’t many people she does like. Try not to take it too personally.”
“Her accent…” Sara hedged, uncomfortable with bringing it up.
“Is Rhuevian,” he finished for her. “She defected five years ago with her mother and joined the guard to gain citizenship.” He seemed to have the answers before she could even ask the questions. It made her wonder how often he was questioned over Shemeek’s heritage. Then again, with the numerous skirmishes they’d had with Rhuevia over the years, having a Rhuevian serve on the king’s guard probably was a curiosity.
“You trust her?”
“With more than my life.” He was sad as he said the words. But, with him, there’d always been sadness.
“Let’s go,” Kavin shouted over his shoulder. With a sharp whistle and a gentle flip of the reins he started to gallop toward the gate without a backward glance.
Holding her reins tightly, she said a quick prayer to the gods before nudging her horse to follow. The first few strides were jolting but as they rode through the keep’s gates and into the small town, she began to fall into rhythm with her mare. “I had forgotten what freedom felt like,” she yelled to Jar over the rushing wind. She saw his answering smile and knew, with his childhood on the streets, he, more than any other, understood.
Chapter Two
By the time the sun was replaced by the full moon, they’d made it through the town that surrounded the keep and were riding hard and fast on a dusty road that cut through vast meadows of tall flowers. They rode in pairs down the narrow trac
k that divided the expansive fields, which left Sara by herself, struggling to keep up with the group of strong riders. But, thanks to the bright moon that hung over them, she could easily make out the others.
Though riding wasn’t as easy as it had once been, she still enjoyed the exhilarating rhythm of the horse’s hooves as they struck the dirt road and the roaring of the air in her ears as she tore through the night. It made her heart race with excitement and her soul crave adventure. For the first time in years, she felt the tingling sensation of actually living. She’d been merely surviving for much too long.
But when her horse bucked abruptly, the experience lost some of its luster. Pain and panic quickly replaced the excitement as she was thrown from her mount and hit the ground hard enough to force the air from her lungs. Above her, the mare was faltering. The horse’s legs were giving out. And, for one terrifying moment, Sara’s body refused to move. She had to move.
“Sara!” The command in Kavin’s voice brought everything back into focus. “Get behind something. Now.”
Pushing the pain and fear to the back of her mind, she rolled to the edge of the field of flowers and forced her way between the stalks. The small nettles that protected the large, thin leaves dug into her hands, but she kept moving through them until she was safely hidden behind a layer of the plants.
“I’m in the field,” she called back.
“Good. Stay down.”
Not that she was planning on doing anything else. She was more than capable of taking care of herself, but she didn’t have a death wish.
Squatting as low as possible, she pushed several of the plants to one side so she could see what was going on. The sight of her horse lying in the road made her heart constrict, but it looked as if the other horses were okay—for now. The group had dismounted and were using the animals as shelter as they loaded their crossbows.
Kavin was the first to raise and aim his weapon. There was a soft thud as the bolt flew into the night and then another as Jar’s crossbow fired in quick succession to Kavin’s.
Off in the distance there was a brief flash of metal reflecting moonlight, and then there was another thud as Shemeek let her bolt fly, which was then quickly followed by Kemah’s. Kavin had reloaded his crossbow and was ready for another round, but paused as he looked off into the night.
