Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“You leave us better versions of yourself. Most are not so lucky.” The high priestess stands at the bottom steps of the temple’s entrance. “However, the road ahead is not going to be easy. Trust each other.”
“I can’t say I was happy to be here, but I am grateful for the outcome.” I step before her, and ask, “May we use two horses?”
“So long as they are returned to us.” She opens her palm and points in the direction of the stables.
“I will make sure of it,” I promise.
“Thank you,” Mikael says, bowing slightly.
“You will struggle, but the truth will save you,” the priestess says to both of us before turning and disappearing into the temple.
Mikael places a hand on my low back as we head to the stables. We didn’t talk about what had happened to us during the trial. We agreed to move forward and keep what we each faced where it belongs: in the past.
The attendant readies two horses, packing their saddlebags with supplies.
“Thank you.” I nod as he hands me the reins.
We don’t linger, mounting the horses and riding quickly to the south. I keep us along the coast as we head to Varithen. Since we’re so close to the ocean, I divert us to my favorite stretch of beach.
We slow down, enjoying the wind that whips at our hair and the cold ocean water splashing up from the horses’ hooves. When we reach a break in the cliffs I guide us back inland, and we ride through the plains.
“I could use a break,” Mikael calls out when we get to the forest that borders Varithen.
“We don’t have much further to go,” I tell him as I slow and match his pace.
“I’m tired of seeing your ass bounce up and down on your horse.”
I chuckle. “So it’s important that you take a break?”
“Very.” He dismounts, then grabs my reins, making me follow his lead.
“I’m not sure we have time for this,” I protest.
“I’ll make it worth it.” He looks over his shoulder and winks.
“Kai…” I drawl.
“Say it again.”
“Kai.” This time I say it sternly. “We don’t have time to stop for a fuck in the woods.”
Mikael ties the horses up to a tree and pulls me off my saddle.
“Let go!” I let out a playful scream as he cups my ass and pulls my legs around his waist.
“That’s better.” He devours me again with his kisses.
How can I deny this man? He’s pushing his need through the bond, and my body reacts in kind, flooding me with arousal.
Before I can stop it, before I could want to stop it, my back is pressed up against a trunk and we’re unlacing each other’s pants. It’s clumsy and awkward, but he doesn’t waste time, working his erection into my wet center. His fangs sink into the soft spot between my neck and collarbone.
I cry out, forgetting any hesitation I had as I spiral into euphoria.
Night has fallen as we approach the city from the woods on the northern end. I whistle, and nothing but silence answers. I hold up my hand for Mikael, signaling to pause before we leave the safety of the woods.
The guards on the tower are wrong; their armor shines in the moonlight. My eyes widen in realization, and a string of curses falls from my lips. What the fuck are my father’s men doing in my city?
“We need to take a different route into the city. One that’s only known to Peylin and myself.”
“Trouble?” Mikael adjusts his position in the saddle, raising a brow.
“Capital guards.” I scoff, and shake my head.
“What are they doing here?”
“There could be any manner of reasons. It’s not unusual for him to check in. Sometimes his guards will share or take post duties for the city guard. But we don’t need to get caught this close to breaking the curse.”
“Let’s avoid the city then; go somewhere else,” Mikael says.
I curse, considering our options. “If I never show up, or spend too much time away, that will raise suspicions. Pair that with whatever rumors might be floating around about a blond man that has been seen with me, and it will not serve us. It’s better if I can find Peylin and learn what’s going on before confronting my father. ”
“It’s risky,” Mikael warns. “We don’t have much time left anyway, maybe at most two days.”
“I know. But we need more supplies and money.”
“What do you propose we do about the horses?”
“Fuck. I don’t know.” I bring my fist to my lips. “Let’s take the packs and saddles, and leave the horses. It’s still a risk if anyone is patrolling, but better than leaving any indication of who was riding them.”
We move as quietly as we can toward a hidden door that’s built into the stone wall. An enchantment was woven into the entrance, preventing anyone else from using it besides Peylin and myself.
I push it in and it slides open silently. A set of narrow steps leads up to the top of the wall, opening to the rooftops of the buildings in the city.
“Leave the saddles and packs here; we can come back for them,” I say, dropping mine at the base of the stairs.
“Bryn, who are you?” Mikael whispers, his voice teasing.
“I’m full of secrets these days,” I tease back, creeping along the roofs, leading us toward Govlik’s. “There’s a path to The Cracked Fang. Until I’m sure of what’s going on, you’re going to stay in the safe room there.”
I drop to the ledge that wraps around the building. It was built as a decorative feature, but its purpose was always to be used as another entrance into the extra room. I slide the window open and slip inside, Mikael following behind me.
I close the window and warn him, “Don’t light the lantern and stay away from the window.”
“Where are you going?” he asks, sitting in the chair by the fireplace.
“To find Peylin.” I lean down and kiss him. “I’ll be back. There is food in the cabinet and clean clothing. It’s stocked as a hideaway, so there should be anything you might need. Please don’t go anywhere.”
“You didn’t tell me that last time I was in here.”
“I didn’t like you last time you were here.” I smile and shrug. I haven’t missed the irony that we’re back in the same place, only days apart, and my life has been turned upside down.
“I’ll wait for you.” He grips my hand and pulls me back in for another kiss. I want to stay here, within his embrace, and pretend things never changed.
But everything about this room, about this city and my role within it, would never let me.
It’s not a reality I can forget. One that requires me to face my father and hope he can’t tell how much I’ve changed in such a short period of time. I have to be the scorned Bryn drowning in liquor and hate.
I reluctantly pull away and leave him behind. I secure the doors, then walk into the hallway to see if Peylin is around, but she’s not there.
That’s not unusual, I remind myself, not wanting to let false warnings spike my anxiety.
The stairs echo beneath my boots as I make my way to the main floor. I weave through the patrons that are here tonight.
Without the influence of liquor, the tavern is too loud and crowded. Groups of friends sit together, each one telling a story, their voices rising each time until laughter explodes among them. It’s such a stark contrast to the way I normally experience the tavern. Warm and muted, a comforting haze.
When Govlik sees me, he quickly rushes over and pulls me into a dark corner. His extra-large frame blocks me from the view of the rest of the room. “You can’t be here.”
“What’s going on?”
“Your father brought his guards to the city yesterday.”
“I noticed. Do you know what for?” I pull my brows together in concern. If Govlik’s warning me, then this isn’t good. Erik’s probably behind this, the bastard.
“The only thing I’ve been able to find out is a bullshit excuse about training new guards. But it’s making everyone jumpy and on edge. I think it has to do with you and that vampire you keep bringing back to town.”
I run my hands down my face. “How did they find out?”
“Secrets are never secrets. There are many people in town who were alive back then, Bryn, even though there aren’t many fae that live here. Word has spread about a couple traveling around Eidrfall, a fae and a vampire.”
“Ugh.” I thought we’d done a good job of avoiding attention, or at least having people think Mikael is human. “Thank you. I’ll keep to the shadows. Have you seen Peylin?”
“No. Keep your head down and go through the back,” Govlik says, walking me out.
I nod and take my leave. Stepping into the alley, I follow the shadows, pressing myself into the walls.
My magic swirls within, more easily felt, pulsing at the edges of my body and begging to be used.
I had gotten so used to not using it, not feeling it, that I don’t default to using its advantages.
It caresses my frame, flowing around my limbs like a silky robe, silencing my movements. I scale a wall between two homes, using a pipe to climb up to the roof and crouch at the opposite edge, observing the activity below.
Capital guards are on patrol, their armor glinting as they pass beneath the hanging lanterns, casting golden reflections on the stone walls. Further down the road are two more.
There are still citizens out this late, but not enough to require so many guards. I remove myself from the edge and stick to the middle of the building, out of sight.
Mikael and I need to get out of Varithen. I should have listened to him. I need to go to my house though, to see Peylin and grab coins.
My home is one of the few guaranteed truly safe places in the city, enchanted so that only those I want to enter are allowed in.
I trust that if Peylin is otherwise occupied around the city, she would have left a letter for me.
If she’s not there and there is no letter, I’ll grab coins from the safe and get the fuck out of here.
Disappearing after what Govlik told me would be a terrible choice, and I’d have no explanation for my absence that could be verified once we break this curse. I could only hope my father would rather I be alive with Mikael’s help than dead.