He smirks. Again. “On the contrary, I have begun to think you are stalking me. Either way it seems I arrived just in time to save the damsel in distress once again.” He winks at me. “You certainly find yourself in distress more than the average damsel. Is that a trait you were born with or did you acquire it later?”
I don’t know what it is about this high minded, far too handsome wealthy stranger, but he makes my blood boil. I’ve grown pretty good about controlling my emotions and thus my power, but every time he’s around I feel myself losing that control, and that is entirely too dangerous for both of us.
“I’m not in peril nearly as often as you imagine me to be,” I say primly. “Perhaps you are just seeing what you wish rather than what is.”
I notice as we speak that he is guiding me through the village to the edge of the woods.
“Oh, I’m not nearly as delusional as you might imagine about who you are,” he says.
My throat closes in fear. Has he figured me out?
Once we are past the treeline and shaded by the tall pines that give the air a fresh scent, he stops and faces me. “First, you steal my invitation to the ball. Then you attempt to steal a gown. One might imagine you are keen on attending the gala despite not having been invited.”
Blood rushes to my cheeks, a mixture of anger and embarrassment at my current station in life, at the acts of lawlessness I’ve been forced to commit since the massacre. But at least he’s only pegged me for a flighty girl willing to steal and cheat her way into a fancy party.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “I was intending to pay for the dress but forgot my coin purse, as I said.”
“Yes, that is what you told the shopkeeper and the guard.” He takes a step closer until our bodies are less than a breath apart. “But you and I both know that wasn’t the truth, don’t we?” He holds out his hand, palm up. “I’m going to need my invitation back.”
“Are you accusing me of stealing it from you?” I ask, just the right amount of dignified outrage in my voice.
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he grabs me around the waist and dips me, keeping his face so close to mine it wouldn’t take much to compel our lips to touch. When he speaks I can feel his breath on my skin.
“I have no accusation, m’lady,” he whispers. “If you did not rob me, then surely I cannot be accused of robbing you.”
When he rights us both to standing, he releases me to my own balance and reveals the scroll of parchment in his hand. “I must have dropped this in my travels,” he says, flicking the invitation. “What luck that I have stumbled upon it.”
I press my lips together, frustration building in me. He’s trapped me between a rock and a hard place. If I accuse him of stealing it from me, it’ll be confessing to my own thievery, as he said. Instead, I smile and bat my lashes. “I’m so glad you’ve found something so important to you. What a relief.”
Damn him. Now I’ll have to start from scratch, and it’ll be even harder to find someone carrying their parchment with them on the road. I’ll have to resort to my least favorite secondary plan: steal one from someone the night of the ball.
“Curious though, a beautiful maiden like you not being invited. I was under the impression every eligible maiden would be welcome.”
“Alas, it would seem the king’s guard prefers to deliver invitations only to the maidens whose address isn’t ‘Zyndale forest, second tree on the left.’”
Lord Tyler grins. “As it happens, I am in need of a date that night and I’m not so particular about where you rest your head. I don’t suppose you would be interested in coming as my companion?”
This was not the plan. This would make everything so much more complicated. This would require me to be even more flexible with my timeline. And yet… it would guarantee me not only entrance into the ball, but a legitimate presence that couldn’t be questioned.
I cock my head and consider. Finally, I nod. “I’ll be your date.”
He nods, a flirtatious glint in his eyes. “Which tree should I pick you up from?”
“Ha. Cute. How about I meet you there?”
“Very well. Then I shall take my leave. Shall we meet at the gardens beside the palace at sunset?”
“Fine.”
I turn to leave, but he grabs my hand, and I turn to face him. “Why do you want to go so badly, may I ask? You don’t seem to care much for… that class of people.”
“Doesn’t every girl in the kingdom want to go to meet the prince?” I ask teasingly.
“Is that all you want? To meet the mighty Prince Lincold? To become a princess and live happily ever after?” His voice is filled with bitterness, and I wonder if he knows the royal family more than in passing. And clearly doesn’t like them very well.
“Not all princesses live happily ever after. And the mighty prince better hope he never meets me,” I say, my own bitterness showing now.
Lord Tyler frowns. “I know the cause of my venom towards the royals. But what could yours possibly be?”
Before I can think of a way to not answer him without not answering him, a scream interrupts us.
“It’s coming from the forest,” he says, unsheathing his sword.
I pull out an arrow and knock my bow. “This way,” I whisper, moving in silence toward the sound.
I don’t look to see if the lord follows. I don’t care. I hear another scream and my stomach clenches from the anguish of it.
When I peek past a large boulder, I see one of the royal guards beating a woman who is tied to a tree naked. She screams and cries as their whips land on her already reddened flesh.
Just as I’m about to loose an arrow, Lord Tyler stops me. “Wait.”
“For what?” I hiss. “She’ll die.”
“For this,” he says, as he cups his mouth and makes the sound a crow. The tingle of dark fae magic skitters down my spine and I hold my breath, waiting. Nothing happens at first, but then I hear the flapping of wings.
Somehow, he has called the crows.
Chapter 4
The sun is blotted out as hundreds of crows fill the sky overhead. Their wings beat loudly as they dive at the soldiers, pecking until the men’s cries drown out even the woman’s fearful screams. The birds don’t touch her though. They only flit around her, pecking and nipping at her bindings until she’s free. When the ropes are gone, she huddles against the tree, trying to protect herself with arms marked with welts.
From our hiding spot behind the boulder, I am too awestruck to do anything but stare as the soldiers are poked and bitten and driven back. The birds are relentless, picking until the men are bloody, their uniforms torn to shreds. Finally, the soldiers turn and run, the crows chasing after them and keeping up the attack as the men flee toward the village.
When they’re gone, Lord Tyler eases from our perch, motioning for me to do the same.
I stick close, uncertain what he plans to say to the woman still huddling in fear even after being freed. My heart breaks for her pain and the vulnerability of being unclothed. Worried for her, I try to hurry ahead, to reach her before he can make things worse. But his stride is much longer than mine.
Stopping before her, he slides his cloak off and covers her with it, crouching until they’re eye level. “You’re safe now. We won’t let anyone hurt you.”
His words are kind, his voice much gentler than I’ve heard from him before.
I resist the urge to scowl at that. Why shouldn’t he be gentle with an injured stranger?
“Thank you,” she whispers, pulling the cloak tighter around her as she shudders.
“Can you tell us what happened?” I ask, kneeling beside her.
She looks up at me with wide eyes. “I was accused of stealing from one of the farmers in the market. But I didn’t do anything and their search came up empty. They detained me anyway. Said I needed to be punished.”
She lowers her face, blinking back tears.
I ball my
hands into fists, furious with the dark fae’s cruelty. Under the light fae, this sort of behavior would have been severely punished. Under King Vatell’s rule, it’s all but encouraged.
Lord Tyler glances at me and we exchange a look. Without a word, we both nod, silently agreeing to work together to help this woman.
“What’s your name?” I ask her.
“Lissa.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lissa. I’m Kate. This is Lor--”
“Tyler,” he says quickly. “Just Tyler.”
The woman sniffles. “Hello.”
“Is there somewhere we can take you?” I ask her. “A relative close by or someone you trust?”
“I live near the village. Just south of here.”
Lord Tyler starts to nod, but I shake my head. “You can’t go home,” I tell her. “Not for a few days. By then, the soldiers should have moved on and forgotten about this.”
She nods. “I have a cousin a few miles from here.”
“Perfect,” I tell her.
We help her stand and after a quick drink of water, she looks steady enough to walk. We set out together, Lissa still covered in Lord Tyler’s cloak. I half-expect him to suggest we stop for horses, but he remains quiet most of the way. When I glance at where he’s fallen slightly behind, his brows are furrowed in deep thought.
I turn back to Lissa, splitting my focus between keeping her spirits up and watching for soldiers along the road.
The sun is high in the sky when a small house comes into view. A woman stands outside in the yard, beating a rug with a wooden mallet.
“Bernice!” Lissa lifts the cloak and hurries toward her cousin.
The cousin looks up, shielding her eyes from the sunlight. When she sees Lissa, she drops the mallet and runs to meet her. Their embrace suggests a closeness that makes me feel better about leaving Lissa here. I slow my steps to give the women time to catch up before I reach them.
Lord Tyler falls in beside me.
“Her cousin seems willing to let her stay,” he says as we watch the two women speak, their faces bent closely together.
“It’s a relief to know she’ll be safe.”
He turns to me, brows still furrowed. “You sound like you had your doubts.”
“Not everyone in Zyndale is willing to play the good samaritan.”
“Not even for family?” he asks.
“It’s not that they don’t want to,” I explain, aware of how little he must know of the downtrodden. As a wealthy lord, he’d be shielded from realities like this one. “Fear of the soldiers--and the king--hold some back. Others can’t afford to feed any more hungry mouths.”
“You sound as if you know firsthand.”
“I spend a lot of time among the people here.”
He doesn’t reply, and when we reach Lissa, she’s smiling, arm in arm with her cousin.
“Kate, Tyler, this is Bernice. She’s offered to let me stay with her for a few days.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Bernice.”
“An honor.” Lord Tyler presses a quick kiss to the back of her hand.
Bernice’s lashes flutter. “Oh, my.”
I roll my eyes. If he’s trying to pass as a commoner, he’ll have to forgo the regal manners.
“Did Lissa explain the need for shelter here?” I ask.
“Yes.” Bernice’s eyes flash in fury, and I’m glad to see the spark. If necessary, I have a feeling she’ll do whatever it takes to protect herself and her family.
“Good.” I turn to Lissa. “Three or four days should be long enough for them to tire of searching for you. But be careful when you go home. Don’t show yourself there until you’re sure they’ve stopped coming around.”
Lissa nods.
I reach into my pocket and withdraw a coin left over from our last heist. Bernice’s eyes widen as I press it into her hand. “For your trouble,” I say.
“Mistress, it’s too much,” she protests.
But I close her hand around the coin and squeeze, offering a smile. “Then use it to help someone else who needs it.”
She nods, her eyes filling with tears. “Thank you.” She sniffles. “Thank you both so very much.”
“Take care, both of you,” Lord Tyler says.
The women nod, offering their goodbyes and we’re soon on our way again. I wait, wondering if Lord Tyler will ask about the coin or where it came from. But he’s quiet again as we walk.
I glance over and find him watching me.
“What is it?”
“Kate.” He smiles. “It suits you.”
“Pardon me?”
“Your name. I heard you give it to Lissa earlier. You never gave it to me before.”
“Oh.”
Hadn’t I?
“You did a generous thing, offering that woman your coin.”
I shrug. “She needed it more than me.”
“And if Bernice hadn’t agreed to shelter Lissa? What then?”
“I would have brought her back to my camp.”
“Is that what your troupe is made up of then? The unjustly accused?”
“Something like that.”
I can feel his gaze on me, as if he is somehow able to see inside me to the secrets I was keeping.
“What about you? Why didn’t you use your full title?”
“I wanted to put her at ease around me.”
“You think people are more comfortable if you pretend to be something you’re not?”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing?”
“Yes, but--”
I fall silent, hating how he made us sound so similar.
“But?” he prompts.
“It’s different,” I say. “We’re different.”
“Of course.”
His easy agreement irritates me, and I snap my jaw shut and keep my words to myself as we make our way back toward the village.
The sun’s heat beats hotter than before and soon, I’m sweating in the heavy skirts I chose for my earlier trip into town. It’s not the same clothing I wear in the forest, but it was necessary to look presentable to the villagers earlier. Now, I wish I’d brought my change of clothes with me. Then again, if I didn’t have a lord as my companion, I could step off the road and remove the heavy underskirts.
For now, I settle for small adjustments. Loosening the belt and corset, I lift my skirts and tuck them into my belt, allowing a bit of air against my legs. Swiping at my forehead, I look over and find him staring again.
“Is something wrong?” I ask, irritable.
“Not at all. You’re a surprising woman, Lady Kate.”
“I’m not sure that’s a compliment the way you say it.”
He grins. “Of course it is.”
“Well.” I look away, feeling suddenly awkward. “In that case, you’re surprising too.”
“How so?”
“For one thing, I didn’t expect the little trick with the crows,” I say, noting the darkness that clouds his expression at my words. “Nor did I expect your gentle manner with Lissa.”
“Have I not been gentle with you, m’lady?”
His words hold a note of teasing, but I feel my cheeks heat at the mental image of just how gentle he might be with me--were I a woman of his station. The truth is, my station is undoubtedly much higher than his. Not that I can tell him so.
“You’ve been a gentleman,” I say carefully and he laughs.
The sound sends a zing of pleasure through me. A strange sort of ache settles in my core. I force myself to look away and focus on the mission.
A mission that’s been over for hours, I realize. The others must be frantic with worry by now. I stop, eyeing the trees and using the sun for a sense of direction. Camp is due north. If I cut through the forest here, it shouldn’t take me very long to reach it.
I stop abruptly.
“Beg your pardon, my lord, but I must leave you now.”
“Here?” He looks around.
“Yes, I appreciate your assistance tod
ay, but I need to check on my friends.”
I turn toward the trees, ready to bolt, but a hand on my wrist pulls me back.
“Just a moment,” he says, stepping close until he’s invaded my space.
My eyes land on his handsome mouth, and I freeze, terrified and thrilled at the idea that he might kiss me. But he leans away, peering down at my shoulder with a frown.
Very gently, he lifts the fabric of my dress from where it’s fallen down my shoulder and slides it over the scar I’ve revealed.
Not scar. Oh, gods. Fear curls in my gut, and I realize he’s recognized the mark for what it is.
His eyes meet mine, but there’s no accusation in his gaze. Only an intensity and closeness that makes my skin tingle where he’s touched me. “You should be careful with that,” he says quietly. “Zyndale doesn’t take kindly to light fae.”
I try to speak, but words won’t come. It’s been forever since I let my guard down enough to make a mistake this big. But there’s no threat coming from the lord now. Only concern...and something more.
Something I’ve never felt before, but I know instinctively threatens my way of life--and my commitment to my goal.
I clear my throat, hoping to clear my mind as well. Stepping back, I adjust my sleeve, further covering the scar that has just given me away.
When I meet his eyes again, I lift my chin. “I can take care of myself.”
“Yes.” His smile is knowing and therefore terrifying. “I believe that you can.”
He bows slightly.
“I’ll see you soon, Lady Kate.”
Then he turns and marches up the road, whistling as he goes.
I run through the trees, too shaken to slow and be certain he’s not following. It doesn’t matter. Whether he finds the camp or not, he already knows enough to damn me to death if he chooses. After today, his kindness suggests he’s trustworthy, but after years on the run, I can’t rely on “maybes.”
I’ll have to send Lyra to watch him. See what we can find out that could even the scales just in case. There’s only one secret left he hasn’t uncovered. And I’ll die before I let him find out.
The Spring Witch (Season of the Witch Book 2) Page 3
