by Chanda Hahn
“You fool,” Liam teased Dorian. “You expect an empath to hurt someone? You might as well ask them to stab themselves.”
Dorian glowered, his voice lowering. “Yet, you are taking my sister-in-law into dangerous territory unarmed. She may not want to injure someone, but she can learn to defend herself.” He reached for a tube with a golden emblem on the side and tossed it to me. I was surprised and let it clatter to the floor before scrambling to pick it up.
“Press the button.” He pointed to the gold plate. I did, and it slid out into a long staff. “Portable, and great for keeping animals and people”—he shot Liam a look—“at bay.”
I tested the weight of it in my hands and felt it hum. Someone with potent magic forged the weapon, and I felt grounded when I held it. “I love it.” I grinned at Dorian.
“I had a feeling you would.”
Liam frowned, his arms crossed, and he glowered. I couldn’t get a read on why he was upset at Dorian’s gift. I pressed the button again, and it retracted. I was even more thrilled to learn that it had a leather holster that I could use to carry it on my hip or adjust it to sling on my back.
Within the hour we were packed, and the stable boy brought out two horses for us.
Eden was weepy-eyed and gave me a quick hug before disappearing inside. Not wanting to burden me with her overwhelming emotions.
Dorian held out his arms, and I stepped forward into a brotherly hug as he whispered, “Liam is a good guy, and my friend. He lives by the code, and he will protect you.”
“I know.”
When it came time to mount the horse, I faltered. Damsel, the roan my sister gave me, was a few hands taller than our workhorse. I put my foot in the stirrup, and on my second attempt could swing up into the saddle, thankful for the split riding skirt.
“I’ve sent men ahead of you to alert your troops of your whereabouts. They should meet you on the Marshwam pass to escort you home.”
“Thank you, my friend.” Liam reached out and shook hands with Dorian.
“If you need anything, Candor will come to your aid.”
“I appreciate that, but this is Rya’s problem and we will deal with it.”
“Safe travels.” Dorian waved, and we headed out the gate.
Navigating out of the city proved difficult. I struggled with the noise and chatter. I was scared that I would have a permanent worry line on my forehead from trying to filter out the background from the important things.
We passed a stall where a young, bedraggled child was hanging around a vendor’s table full of food.
So hungry. I need food for my grandma so she will get better.
The vendor, a thin man with a wiry mustache and dark eyes, was aware of the child’s intentions. His hand rested on a knife at his hip.
He will not steal from me this time. I will take his hand for it.
The boy made his move.
“Stop!” I pulled on the reins and slid from my horse, reaching into my satchel filled with coins, a gift from Eden. I quickly paid for bread, eggs and cheese and handed them to the boy, plus an extra five gold pieces. “Here, for your family. Never come to this booth again, do you hear me?”
He nodded.
I confronted the shop manager. “Taking a boy’s hand for stealing is barbaric and wrong.”
Liam had moved from his horse and placed a hand on my arm. I flung it off and raced down two more alleys, forcing Liam to follow with our horses.
“Aura,” he called out, but I couldn’t stop. My heart was pounding with newfound knowledge. I could pinpoint the voices if I got close enough to them. I rushed into a dark building and saw an old woman covered in blankets, in too much pain to get up and even feed herself. I opened the window and collapsed in front of her. Reaching for her hand, I instinctively drew her aches into my own body. Her eyes opened, and she breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Bless you, child, are you an angel?”
“No, but your grandson needs you. He almost lost a hand for stealing. Can you get up?”
She nodded. “Yes, yes. I can. I haven’t felt this good in ages.”
I struggled to my feet and my back stiffened, my feet burned with every step I took. I moved to the doorway where Liam watched me silently.
“You took her pain, didn’t you,” he stated.
I waddled past him, grabbed Damsel’s saddle horn and tried to pull myself up. My arms gave out, and I slid back to the ground. Liam caught me, his body pressed against mine. His breath warm in my hair as he admonished me. “You’re hardly in any shape to ride now.”
“Just give me a boost. I can hold on.”
His hands gripped around my waist and he easily lifted me up into the saddle. I groaned as my hips tried to get comfortable. They felt ninety years old. Plus the buzzing of voices grew more intense.
When Liam mounted behind me, it jolted me out of my reverie. He tied his mount’s reins so that Pern could follow behind us. His arm wrapped around my waist and pressed me close when I tried to move away.
“What are you doing?”
“One, you’re about to fall off your horse, and two, I’m shielding you.”
“But I can’t—”
“You can’t help them all, Aura.” He flicked the reins, and we began moving, his will so strong, I didn’t hear a single voice. And as we rode past, I looked at the faces of the men, women, and children, I almost felt sad that I couldn’t help them.
Even when we cleared the capital city, Liam didn’t switch mounts, but rode behind me, letting me rest my weight against his chest. A few times he needed to adjust the reins, and he’d bend down, his cheek brushing against mine.
Each time was just a passing touch, but every single one felt like a kiss against my skin. But he was silent, and I was frustrated that I couldn’t hear what he was thinking.
We stayed on the smaller roads and avoided all large cities. And even when we had the chance to stay at an inn, Liam avoided the comforts because of me, choosing instead to camp under the stars.
Dinner consisted of dried meat and rations. Liam laid our bedrolls out on opposite sides of the fire, a safe distance from each other. He was unusually silent. The opposite of me, where I loved chatting, but I didn’t know what to talk about.
“Tell me about yourself,” I asked. “I know that you’re a knight, but what else. Tell me about your parents.”
“I have no parents,” he said. “As soon as I was old enough, I enlisted and trained to become a knight and protect the kingdom of Rya. Now, I’m the commander of the king’s guard.” He stoked the fire and added more kindling. The glow lit his handsome face, revealing his sad and haunted eyes. There was something from his past that hurt, and I wanted to know what it was so I could help.
I pressed for answers and those green eyes flicked up at me. “Don’t,” he warned.
“You could feel that?” I asked in surprise. “Usually no one can tell when I pry.”
“Yes.” He broke a stick and tossed it into the fire. He looked uncomfortable. “It, uh . . . tickled.”
“Really,” I chuckled. “Let me try again.” I pushed back even harder, but I wasn’t aiming for any answers in particular. I wanted to see his expression turn from sad to laughter as I mentally tickled him, testing his power and limits.
I wasn’t prepared for his response, which felt like a mental slap in the face. I gasped in pain, and my hand touched my cheek where it felt warm from the fresh stinging ache.
Liam looked at me in horror. “Aura, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I sniffed, trying to hold back the tears of pain. The playful mood I was aiming for shot down. “I shouldn’t have done that. It was wrong of me.”
“No really, that was uncalled for. I didn’t even know I could do that.” His voice was filled with remorse.
I curled up on my side and pulled the blanket over my chin, focusing on listening to the crickets and the crackling of the fire.
“I’m sorry,” he said again. “But it’s better if you don�
��t pry into my past. You won’t like what you find, and the thought of you hating me is more than I can bear.”
Chapter Eleven
Our second day on the road was filled with light conversation. It seemed Liam was trying to make up for the previous day’s lack of discussion. He asked me to tell him what it was like growing up with Lady Eville. What kind of training did I go through? I explained to him what we were doing the day I found him.
“My cat, Hack, would always give me clues as long as I promised to feed him.” I laughed. “I can find anyone, anywhere.”
“No doubt.” He grinned and challenged me. “I bet you wouldn’t be able to find me.”
“I bet I could find you within minutes,” I said confidently, tucking a strand of my pale hair behind my ear. “But you would never find me. Not if I didn’t want to be found.”
His horse walked close, and our legs bumped together. His eyes met mine, and he became very somber. “It wouldn’t matter how long it took. I will always find you.” It wasn’t a statement, but a promise.
I broke eye contact and looked toward the skyline and frowned. Liam followed my gaze and saw the dark clouds forming.
“It’s another storm. Is there any shelter nearby?” he asked.
I closed my eyes and listened. “I can’t tell, but I hear people. A way station that way, I think.” I pointed toward the mountains.
“Aura, I don’t want to subject you to that.”
I shuddered. “I really don’t want to be caught in the rain again.”
“Okay, but we must hurry.”
We spurred the horses into a gallop. A few times, I had to redirect our course until we came to the way station. As soon as we dismounted at the stable, it began to downpour. I had heard of these part inns, part transport depots where transports would drop off passengers and pick up new ones as they headed to different kingdoms. There was a restaurant, bathing rooms, driver rooms, and rooms for rent. Thankfully, this was one of the smaller way stations and Liam could get us food and two rooms.
We ate dinner in silence as I worried more about trying to keep the random thoughts from the other people out of my head. It was a simple fare of soup and bread, but I struggled to enjoy it.
Across the room, I saw a magical notice board of maps that glowed, changed, and shifted, revealing new open roads, and blocked passages, followed by the bounty board. I froze when I saw a Wanted for Murder poster with the familiar face of my sister, Meri. I cupped my hand over my mouth and held back the feelings of guilt that followed. The next notice was a warning as more posters appeared of missing girls. All young women between the ages of sixteen and twenty that had disappeared from the area. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the portrait of a missing young girl with dark curls, freckles, and a haunted expression. None of them had been found, and there was a reward for their safe return.
Others had noticed the same board, and they speculated what happened to the young women.
I hope that doesn’t happen to Rebekah. I should make sure she is never alone until they catch the culprit.
Probably ran away with a boy.
Bet she got herself pregnant and will show up in ten months.
Liam saw my creased brow and stretched out his leg under the table and gently rested it against mine. Immediately, I could breathe easier as the tension faded. After a bit, the conversation started up.
Just a slight pressure of his touch easily canceled out my magic, and it scared me how much I was depending on him.
Because of Liam, I had gone to the palace in Candor. I saw my sister, a queen, made it through one of the busiest cities in the kingdom, went dress shopping, and sat for a meal in public. My spoon stopped midair in my hand when I realized that this would soon be over once we reached Rya and conquered the blight.
“What’s wrong? You suddenly became quiet.”
“I just realized . . . thank you,” I said, putting the spoon down.
“For what?”
“For showing me what it’s like to be normal.”
Liam looked around the room full of strangers and said, “This is nothing.”
“No, it’s everything to me. I didn’t know I was trapped until you came along and forced me to face my fears.”
“I kidnapped you,” Liam pointed out. He dipped his bread into his soup. “Don’t gloss over that fact. Though my intentions were noble, I wasn’t thinking and acted selfishly. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I know. But because of you, I left home and I’ve seen so much of the world already.”
“Aura, we’ve barely scratched the surface. You’ve seen dirty roads, caves, and one kingdom. This isn’t the world, just a neck of the woods. Just wait until you see Rya.” Now it was his turn to become solemn. “That is, if we save it from the blight.”
“We will,” I said firmly. “And I just wanted to say I appreciate all you’ve done for me. Sticking by me.” I nudged my leg against his. Liam smiled and nudged back. “Helping me just take it day by day. I know it must be a pain, but it means so much to me. Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for,” he said.
“Friends, yeah.” My mouth went dry as his eyes became filled with shadow and hurt again. He was definitely hiding something.
He slurped the rest of his soup and looked up the stairs toward our rooms. “You ready?”
I stilled, and my heart raced. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” My hands balled into fists and my feet were leaded weights as we walked up the stairs to the second floor and turned the corner. Our rooms were next to each other.
Liam opened his door and went in. “If you need me, knock. I’m right here.”
“You can’t sleep in a chair next to my bed every night. I can survive one night of restless sleep,” I lied, keeping my face neutral.
He didn’t seem to be buying it. “You promise, if you need me.”
“I won’t,” I said, slipping into my room and shutting the door. I pressed my back against the wood and massaged my temples. This wouldn’t work. I could hear the angry thoughts of the chef in the kitchen. The grumbling of the underpaid servant. A man puking his guts out in the bathing room and a couple across the hall making love. My mind was flashing with thoughts of lust, hate, sickness, and I could feel myself dry heave. I waited, giving Liam plenty of time to settle in for the night before I made my move.
I pressed my ear to the door and listened. Slowly, I opened it and slipped out into the hall, carefully turning the latch with nary a whisper. I turned around and was confronted by Liam. He was waiting for me. Hidden in shadow, his arms crossed over his chest, his right foot bent and supported by the wall.
“I knew you were going to be a problem.” He sighed and pushed away from the wall. “Where were you going?”
“I was going to sleep in the stables. I think it will be much easier for me to rest there.”
“But not for me.” He took my elbow and pulled me into his room. I spun and lost my balance, landing on the bed. The door slammed after us with an ominous thud. I heard him turn the key in the lock. “How do you think it makes me feel knowing you would rather sleep in the stables than be anywhere near me?”
“Because we can’t keep doing this,” I said. “I can’t ask you to be my guard dog and sleep on the floor or in a chair every night. It’s not right.”
I was struggling to breathe, as I was feeling extremely hot. I pulled at the collar of my dress as the aura from the couple next door permeated my mind. I flushed and felt hot all over. I needed to leave. I got up and headed for the door.
Liam intercepted me and gave me a wry grin. “I don’t plan on sleeping on the floor or the chair tonight.”
“I’m sorry you’re angry. I was just putting your needs first.”
His voice turned husky. “So self-sacrificing again. That’s funny, that you mention needs.” He pushed me back on the bed and I hit the pillow and bounced. “What I need is a good long rest on an actual bed, and if that means I have to tie you to the bed
frame so you actually sleep and not run off to the stables, I’ll do it.” His eyes glittered with mischief, and I blushed.
He took off his cloak and folded it up on the chair and stretched out on the bed next to me. I sat with my back against the wall, feet curled up. Liam patted the mattress next to him. “You should know by now that I won’t harm you.”
I relaxed and laid down next to him, facing the wall. The room was tiny. The bed wedged into a corner. To escape, it would mean I had to crawl over him. I laid as still as I could as Liam rolled to his side, and his arm draped over my hip. I stiffened, and then relaxed when he didn’t move again.
I shifted in my sleep and pulled away. My dreams became restless, filled with horrid thoughts of being lost in a fog and the terrible monsters within. I shuddered and Liam pulled me closer into the crook of his body. Fully spooning me, his face nuzzled into my neck as he whispered, “Shh, my sleeping beauty, your knight is here.”
When morning came, I opened my eyes and saw Liam’s chest, his chin rested on the top of my head. One arm laid over my waist possessively, and I looked down at his leg threaded through mine.
My heart raced and my breathing picked up. This was too close. I tried to move away, but Liam murmured and pulled me even closer. I could feel the gentle movement of his thumb brushing across my back.
“You’re awake,” I accused.
“So are you,” he breathed, and pulled back to look down at me. His eyes flickered to my mouth briefly, and I swallowed. Liam reached out and cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing across my lips. He leaned forward, his lips parted.
My breath caught in my chest and I let out a little gasp. It broke the spell.
“Um, you’re drooling,” Liam said, brushing the corner of my mouth and pulling away. My head hit the mattress as his right arm slid out from under my neck.
I was jarred awake by the rejection, and I caught a flicker of his intent. Liam had wanted to kiss me. I saw it clearly in his mind, but then his will hit me.
She is a distraction. You’re stronger than this. Remember your promise. Your mission. Liam moved across the room and grabbed his cloak.
