Chapter Eleven
Once we returned to Sidelle’s place, I retreated upstairs, claiming I needed some time alone to reflect on everything. Really, I wanted to grab the boots. I thought about snagging that tangerine bath oil too, but decided against it. From now on, bathing would become a rare luxury.
Before I left, I threw together a poorly written letter, apologizing for how things had to be. Then I slipped out the back exit while Sidelle and Eurok spoke on the balcony.
I hated the thought of leaving like this, but no matter what I said, no matter what they said, nothing changed the fact that the king would come calling soon enough, asking for exactly what Sidelle promised to deliver. I didn’t blame her for promising something so outrageous, especially considering it was the reason he let me out of those dungeons in the first place. Even so, I refused to become that bastard’s murderous lackey. I killed on my own terms. No promise, even a lifesaving one, would change that.
As I rode through the Vylandrian forest, the trees serenaded me with their unique symphony. I stuck to the main road. It was risky, especially if Eurok or Sidelle came after me. But if I were being truthful, I preferred that outcome over getting lost and becoming some exotic beast’s lunch
I needed to play it smart, at least while I was still within Vylandrian borders. After I crossed the Ebbonharrow River into Calrund, I’d veer off the main roads. The countryside would cover my trail until I reached Breckenridge, where I’d board the first ship leaving this godsdamned kingdom.
Silence lapsed for hours as I fought to divert my thoughts from the druids. I didn’t want to envision the shock and disappointment on their faces when they realized I left. Still, the image plagued me like a pestering mosquito that refused to give up.
I leaned forward and stroked Eiresh’s smooth, sturdy neck. I never owned a horse before. The beast that belonged to my father was an aggressive son-of-a-bitch, and I avoided him at all costs. Though looking back on it, I couldn’t blame the stallion. In fact, we shared more in common than I realized, both having been raised under the violent hand of my father.
Eiresh nickered at my touch as if to show appreciation, pulling my attention to the present. I smiled.
“Good boy,” I said, happy for the company. I can’t believe he’s mine—at least for now.
A tightness in my throat grew at the thought of leaving him behind once I reached my destination. If I could stow us both away on a ship, I would, but it seemed next to impossible. He was one of the largest horses I’d ever seen. Fuck, it was ridiculous how soft I’d gotten in only a few short days.Then again, I always had a weakness for animals. Even when hunger gnawed at my desperation, it never made sense to kill a creature just to keep my bitter ass alive. They were innocent.
Not like me.
I justified my lifestyle by telling myself I killed monsters and protected innocent lives. But Greggor’s glossy sea-blue eyes flashed to the forefront of my mind, and I blinked against the stinging in my own. A few days’ travel, then I’ll be free of this place.
The wrenching in my chest disagreed with the thought, but I kept riding.
A soft melody floated along the spring breeze, the tune soothing and slow. I pulled on Eiresh’s reins, urging him to a stop to listen. Who’d be playing guitar in the middle of the forest? A merchant? Perhaps a traveling bard? I entertained the idea of retracing my steps, finding a more secluded path, and looked back. The sky had darkened with the threat of rain. Forward it is.
I convinced myself everything was fine, then rounded the corner, anticipating the musician. He sat at the base of a large tree, guitar in hand—undoubtedly the most handsome man I’d ever seen. I rode closer, trying not to stare. And failing.
His inhuman perfection had me swallowing past the anxious lump in my throat. This was no man—but a druid. Thunder cracked through the sky as I started past.
His eyes, an astonishing green, locked onto me. The heat of his gaze charged my skin like the electrified clouds at my back.
His warm walnut-colored features settled into a perfect display of intrigue as the melody stopped, and he set the instrument aside, pushing himself to his feet. The corner of his mouth lifted in a rugged smirk. “Well. Ain’t that a sight to see?”
My eyes narrowed as a rush of caution flooded my veins.
He gestured between me and my horse. “A human on an Arestellian stallion. You’re gonna get yourself fucking killed out here.”
“Excuse me?” I pulled Eiresh to a halt.
As if discussing the weather, he leaned against the tree and jerked his chin. “Your horse, it’s rider clan trained. Hope you’re not taking that thing anywhere near the border.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“You have any idea how much a beast like that goes for? You’ll be dead on the side of the road within the week.”
I glared in response. “What do you care?”
Something mischievous churned behind those brilliant eyes as he dragged them down my body. “Seems like an awful waste.”
“Are you talking about me? Or the horse?” I mused.
He shoved himself off the tree with a wide, clever smile. “The horse.”
The tension in my shoulders relaxed, and I smirked.
“Balis Gailstrong.” He introduced himself and sauntered closer, casually reaching to pat Eiresh’s head.
“Mira.”
“Oh, I know exactly who you are.”
His hand wrapped around Eiresh’s reins, and a cold shudder raked down my spine.
“Who sent you?”
“Eurok.”
Of course he did. A strange sense of relief fell over me, but I masked it with a blanket of defiance. I was not going back.
“Let go of my horse,” I demanded.
To my surprise, he did.
My legs squeezed Eiresh’s sides, and he burst into a gallop. I glanced behind, checking if the stranger followed. He didn’t. He stood there, arms crossed. Unconcerned amusement graced his face before he slung his guitar over his shoulder.
I maintained the fast pace until I worried about pushing Eiresh too hard, then slowed to a trot.
Sidelle promised to let me leave if I wished, but Eurok hadn’t. He must’ve meant for the druid to either bring me back or kill me for what I’d done to Greggor. So why did he let me get away so easily?
Thick clouds cracked open with a roar of heavy, soaking raindrops—a warm late-summer downpour. Petrichor danced through the air in a welcome rush, and I tipped my face skyward, allowing myself a few unbothered moments. Now soaked to the bone, I’d have to find shelter before nightfall.
“Not disappointed by this view one bit,” a smooth, low voice cut over the torrent.
Balis. Damnit, I forgot how fast these druids are.
I spotted him just head, perched against a thin pine half his own girth. His gaze traveled up my body, lingering on each curve and contour. Realization sank in, and I peered down at myself. My tunic’s airy fabric stuck to me like a second skin, and the faint chill left me prickled with goosebumps, my nipples on full display. That look in his eye had me setting my jaw in stark defiance.
“Enjoy it while you can. This is as close as you’re gonna get.”
“Hmm, a welcomed challenge.”
His voice, like tempting smoke, entwined my senses.
With unwavering determination, I squared my shoulders. “You can tell Eurok thanks for sending his retriever dog, but I’ve made up my mind.”
Balis took a few strides backward, a lopsided, roguish grin decorating his cheeks. “There’s an inn an hour south of here. I’ll meet you there.” He disappeared between the trees without another word.
Like hell.
The storm grew more violent the further I rode, a deluge that sent the animals of the forest scattering to higher ground. By the time I made it to the inn Balis mentioned, I had no choice but to stop.
I tucked Eiresh away in the last available stall, then ventured inside. A torrent of boisterous drunken Vylandrians belted upbeat lyrics to the halfling bard’s tune. The room’s energy was almost as palpable as the humidity thickening the air. It didn’t take long before I found him. Near the far wall, those jade irises sent a wave of cautionary intrigue sweeping through my body.
Don’t fuck the druid. Tempting as it may be, something about the power I sensed lurking behind those calm, relaxed muscles told me it would be a risky endeavor.
“You made it,” he said, an unsurprised lilt to the words.
He sat sideways in his chair, his back against the wall with a frothy ale in hand. There was no trace of the downpour on his clothes nor exhaustion of travel on his rugged face. While I, in contrast, dripped puddles on the wooden planks.
“The storm left me little choice.” I plopped in the seat across from him, then snagged his tankard, taking a long drink.
He raised an eyebrow, then gestured to the waitress for another. “I booked the last room they had. We will make the journey to Raven Ridge in the morning.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Don’t presume my being stuck here means I’m not committed to leaving. I’m not going back.”
“Listen, princess–”
“Do not call me that,” I snapped.
Would I ever have the pleasure of meeting a druid that wasn’t insufferably arrogant—or was the demeanor just as likely as their staggering good looks?
“Is that not what you are?”
I sensed he was fucking with me, but I couldn’t be sure. “I’m not a princess, and if you keep making such asinine presumptions, then you can kindly fuck off.”
The waitress brought another ale, then hurried away. My next sip conveyed how little interest I had in returning the one I took from him.
He shifted in his seat to face me properly, elbows braced on the table. “You’re not easily intimidated, are you?”
“Not a word often used to describe me, no.”
“Well, not-a-princess,” sarcasm dripped from his words, “I’m not that easy to get rid of. Raven Ridge or not, you are stuck with me.”
Fear of getting kicked out of the only shelter nearby stopped me from decking him in the face. But I sure-as-fuck wanted to. “So what, you’ll stalk me?”
A glimmer of excitement burned across his emerald gaze—in that moment, I felt like prey.
“Don’t tempt me, princess. I prefer to play with my food.”
My traitorous heart skipped a beat, but I held his haughty stare, unwilling to back down. How could I shake this guy by morning?
Morning.
“Wait—you booked the last room?”
His mirth fractured a bit, reading the apprehension on my face. “Don’t worry, I’ll sleep on the floor.”
He most likely meant for that to be received as a kindness, but my annoyance flared. Not that I was opposed to sharing a bed with the druid. I was no stranger to one-night stands. Given that I was unsure of his intentions and needed to slip out undetected, the safe route would be to play it off as an appalling idea. Though climbing that tree was anything but.
“Absolutely not. I’m not sharing a room with you.”
“Excuse me?” He almost choked on a gulp of ale. “Have you seen it outside? You don’t seriously expect me to sleep in that storm, do you?”
“Frankly, I don’t give a shit. But it won’t be in the same room as me,” I said.
His eyes narrowed like he was questioning how genuine my aversion was. “Am I to believe you’re a virtuous woman?”
“Also not a word used to describe me,” I said, “but I hardly know you. You could knock me out, drag me back against my will.”
I schooled my features to be cold and uncaring, even as the hard edge of guilt pressed in on me. Behind him, a particularly violent bolt of lightning lit up the sky, rattling the rickety windows.
His jaw ticked, but he let out a slow sigh. “Fine,” he said. “Have it your way.”
Was it really that easy? I gave a tight nod and took a sip of ale. Balis didn’t meet my eye. His dejected stare lingered on the rain pounding against the glass panes. The waitress returned with two steaming bowls of stew and biscuits, refilled our tankards, then walked away without a word.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“I thought maybe you’d be hungry after your long day of traveling.”
“How’d you know I’d show?”
As if in answer, the sky released another roar of thunder.
“I was pretty sure.”
I swallowed back the shame rising like bile in the back of my throat and took in a spoonful of the hot stew. So good.
“So,” he began, “since I was sorely misinformed about you, where do you come from, and how did you end up here?”
“What did Eurok tell you exactly?” I asked, dragging my wooden spoon through the thick broth.
“Only that the high witch believes you’re a princess, one of great importance. He said you’re in danger if left on your own, and it’s imperative that I bring you home.”
“Raven Ridge isn’t my home.”
He took a large gulp of ale, the muscles in his neck and jaw waving as it went down, and I wondered if he had the same immense tolerance as Eurok did.
“I figured that out the moment I saw you were human,” he said.
“Speaking of which, how’d you know I was the one you were looking for?”
He tipped his chin as if it were obvious. “No one else would be so blatantly unaware of how dangerous it is for a human to ride an Arestellian stallion toward the border.”
My cheeks flushed, and I stared at the diced potatoes and carrots floating in my stew. “I was a bounty hunter. When I got to the castle for my payout, the king threw me into the dungeon. He intended to have me killed, so Sidelle brought me here.”
“And you don’t like it here?”
Unwilling to meet his gaze, my shoulder lifted in a half-hearted shrug.
“You don’t like Sidelle?” he asked.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Do you have family back there?” He seemed genuinely curious.
“No.”
“What then?”
Irritation crawled like spiders beneath my skin. “Why do you care?”
“I don’t know. You just seem like you need someone to.”
That got my attention. When I looked up, he studied me with those lush, vibrant green eyes, all previous tension gone.
“Is that what this is?” I used the spoon to gesture to our surroundings. “The room, the food? Pity?”
“No. It’s called common decency.”
Unsure of what to say, I averted my gaze from his and stirred my food into a messy, mushy concoction. “What will Eurok do when you return without me?”
“I don’t plan on returning without you.” He shoveled in a few bites, his attention fixated on me.
I felt like an insect under a magnifying glass, waiting for someone to rip off my legs.
“I won’t go back,” I said.
“Consider me a companion on your travels, then. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
I glowered. His undeterred chuckle did nothing to improve my foul mood.
After finishing the stew and ale, I stood, ready to find the room he secured. Rain splattered the panes, relentless and drenching, while streaks of lightning cut and webbed across the clouds.
“You gonna be okay out there?” I asked.
“Regretting your decision?”
“Just being polite.”
“It would be polite to let me crash on the floor.”
“No.”
“Guess we’ll wait and see, then.”
“Don’t you have mana? Can’t you make yourself a shelter Or something?”
He dug into a small leather pouch and placed a tip for the waitress beside his empty tankard. “I have my ways of weathering the storm.
When he stood, I got my first proper glimpse of him. A black tattoo of braided vines snaked up his left arm over layers of mounded muscle. The design peaked from his tunic’s neckline and flowed up the side of his neck.
He had this air of calm about him—like an oak tree’s shade on a hot day.
“Sleep tight, princess.”
His eyes danced like hearth flames along my curves. I warmed in response but turned and climbed the staircase, fighting the smile wavering on my lips.