Chapter 30 - Meryn #2
“Consider it a demonstration,” I suggest, voice dripping with acid.
“Of how we like to deal with spies in Nocturna. And Elias?” He meets my gaze.
“If Hanlen wants to keep his other three limbs, you better instruct him and the rest of the bloodsuckers to keep their magic to themselves for the rest of our journey.”
Elias looks at me blankly, face eerily expressionless, eyes calculating. Then he gives me a toothy grin, fangs on full display.
“It shall be so, Your Highness,” he says.
We rest in two separate groups, pointedly keeping our distance while the Siphons finish tending to Hanlen’s wound.
Cratos licks his chops whenever he sees a Siphon looking our way. I can’t blame him, but it’s not exactly letting tempers settle.
“He cannot help himself,” Anassa says affectionately. “Tearing apart Siphons is what he was made to do.”
Not the most auspicious start to our journey.
The sun drifts lower in the sky, turning fat and honey-golden on the horizon. The late-afternoon light paints the valley in muted tones and soft shadows. The beautiful scenery is a stark contrast to the simmering anger among our divided party.
Finally, we all mount back up, settling into an uneasy truce. We travel in stony silence.
Elias guides us down into the valley. He informs me that we’ll rest for the night at a military outpost—a way station specifically designed for military travelers, with accommodations for horses.
“We’ll avoid entering the nearby town directly because the appearance of direwolves would likely frighten the residents.
Our goal on this entire journey is for them not to be spotted, if possible,” Elias tells me.
His eyes catch mine, and he adds, “There are many tales in Astreona of the savagery of your beasts.”
I bristle at his phrasing but cut off my retort. Diplomacy.
Once word gets around about what happened to Hanlen, there’ll be one more story circulating.
I can’t bring myself to feel any regret.
The outpost is small. There’s a large wooden building that looks like it’s meant for storage; a long, open-air stable; a cluster of drafty-looking stone structures; and a covered well in the center of it all.
The place is mostly empty, likely populated only by the people required to keep it operational.
Upon our arrival, a few stable hands nervously shuffle up to accept the horses, glancing fearfully at our wolves before fleeing.
A few others wander around the open complex, looking like they’re on their way to get jobs done.
There’s the distinct, stinging scent of a blacksmith as well as cooking meat.
I keep my eyes on Elias as I help unload the wolves’ supplies and establish our camp.
He speaks hastily with a few of his attendants, who rush off to complete mysterious tasks.
After I have Anassa free from our travel bags, I glance back at Elias and see that one of the people he sent off is returning with a pair of fresh horses.
My curiosity flares.
I approach him with my arms crossed over my chest. “Going somewhere?”
“Davide and I will be going into town to procure additional food and supplies,” Elias answers.
“What Siphon tricks are they playing at now?” I ask Anassa.
She gives me the mental equivalent of a shrug.
“I’m sure you can understand why trust is thin among my party at present,” I tell him. “So I’d like to accompany you.” My tone makes it clear it’s not really a request.
“Not alone, you won’t,” Stark growls. His presence is at my back, and I turn to frown at him.
So it turns out he can speak. Eating my pussy didn’t make his tongue nonfunctional after all.
But he just gives me a look that says, If you think I’m letting you wander through a nest of Siphons without protection, you’re dangerously removed from reality.
Elias bows his head again and says, “You are welcome to join us.” His eyes wander briefly over my shoulder, catching on Anassa and the other wolves. “But the wolves will have to stay.”
“Fuck that,” I say furiously to Anassa.
“I agree,” she replies. “I would prefer to come with you. But I also understand that might not be possible if you are to visit a Siphon town relatively unnoticed.”
I nod. I’ll do it. But I don’t like it.
Davide steps forward, smoothing his elegant hand along his horse’s flank as he joins us. His eyes are pale, his stare intense. “I will send for additional mounts.”
My sister elects to stay at the outpost with Venna, Noemi, and… our father. I’m torn about whether it’s safer for her to stay with them or come with me and Stark.
“I will keep watch over her,” Anassa assures me.
Turns out, there aren’t many horses available beyond the exhausted ones the Siphons rode here. They manage to find only one additional mount for us.
I end up having to share a saddle with Stark.
He wordlessly offers me a hand after mounting, and I let go as quickly as I can after settling onto the horse’s back. His hands rest briefly at my hips before releasing me to hold the reins.
Even that momentary touch sends heat spiraling through my body.
How fucking annoying.
Despite the tension and drama of the day we’ve had—which should have me on high alert—I struggle to focus on our journey into town. My body keeps registering the press of Stark behind me, his arms on either side of me.
I’ve been doing my best not to overanalyze what happened between us, particularly in the wake of his sulky silent treatment. If he’s going to ignore what happened, then fine, two can play that game.
But the contact between our bodies keeps resurfacing memories. My hips repeatedly press into his, ratcheting up my body temperature.
His lips. His hands. His mouth, for fuck’s sake.
I keep my gaze frozen ahead of me, not wanting to show any weakness to Elias and Davide.
Weakness like the sparks that shoot through me every time the horse’s movement jolts us, thrusting Stark’s body against my own.
It doesn’t help that every time I bounce backward, I can tell I’m having the same effect on him.
So much for protecting me from dangers in the Siphon town ahead. I’m not sure I’ll survive another five minutes without kissing or killing the man behind me.