Chapter 18 #2
He let out a soft huff. “That would be helpful, but no. I am conditioned for little sleep. You go ahead. Looks like your horse has decided to lie down for the evening, too.”
Celeste leaned against one of the rocks and bedded down while Astorath remained standing and stoic, just like his rider. I nuzzled up to Celeste’s body, seating my back and head against her torso. Her body was warm and gave me enough comfort and relaxation to not fight the heaviness of my eyelids.
The forest slowly lightened, making the trees more than just darkened outlines.
Celeste’s deep, vibrating huff awoke me to the aches and pains that developed as I fitfully slept.
Or maybe it was from the immense running and being dragged all over the forest the day before. Either way, I didn’t feel my best.
A large, warm cloak covered my front half and fell to the ground as I stood, exposing me to the cold of the early morning air. I picked it up and looked to where Darragh stood at the opening of the rock formation, watching the still, silent forest that was now covered in fog.
I silently, for a human, walked to his side and handed him his cloak. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, my lady.” He spoke softly.
“Rory,” I quietly corrected.
“There is enough light for the horses to navigate the terrain. If we leave now, we can make it back to the castle by mid-morning.”
“Then let's head back,” I said as I tipped my head side to side, stretching my neck and wincing.
“Are you hurt?” He looked me up and down.
“No, I am just achy. Sleeping on the ground, cuddled up to a horse, isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world. My body is rebelling.”
He opened his mouth to say something but closed it just as quickly.
I raised an eyebrow at him. “What?”
“Seraphs don’t have these issues because of our high healing rates.”
“Yeah, yeah. Rub it in,” I joked, rolling my eyes.
“What I mean is that I can take away any of your soreness if you want. I just have to touch you, which many ladies would not be comfortable with. It may not be proper.”
“Captain Reynault, I don’t claim my nobility. You are welcome to put your hands on me.” That came out wrong! I blinked and covered my mouth. “I—I mean, I won’t turn down your offer.” My face went flush. You just can’t act like a lady, can you?
Darragh sputtered, “Oh, um. Yes. Well, uh…where does it hurt, my lady?”
Great. I made him uncomfortable, too.
“You know what? It’s alright. I think I would rather just get going. I’m fine.” I sharply turned away from him and tightened Celeste’s saddle. I could feel his eyes on my back. With a foot in the stirrup, I mounted Celeste.
Darragh continued to stare at me like I had lost my mind, but he blinked and moved to Astorath, mounting him. I couldn’t even look at him properly. My cheeks still burned.
Our journey out of the eerie forest was met with awkward silence, and thankfully, cantering the horses into the countryside made it nearly impossible to hold a conversation.
My mind kept playing my gaffe repeatedly, keeping me from thinking too much about the fact that we still had no clues to back up the rumors of humans being brought into Tironaill from the threshing wall.
Aquila City swept into view just as the fog dissipated from the landscape.
My hair unraveled from my braid during the ride, and it billowed around me, windswept and wild.
The smattering of pink across my cheeks was now from the cold instead of my earlier embarrassment.
The crispness of the air lessened as we pulled the horses to a slow stop.
I swept my long hair over my shoulder. “Nobles and merchants are bustling through the courtyard this time of day. I am sure gossip will spread since we both look like we have been dragged around the forest. Could we loudly say that the horses spooked, and we both tumbled off to explain our appearance?”
Darragh looked down the front of his dirty cloak and tunic.
“My lieutenant is clearing the courtyard for everyone’s safety under the guise that I found a potential militia correspondence that stated the pillar of Themis would be targeted this morning.
We will ride in and then take the servants' hallways to your rooms.”
“I should’ve known you would’ve already had a well-thought-out plan in motion.”
“I had a lot of time overnight to come up with it. I sent a correspondence to the lieutenant this morning.” He smirked and faced me. “But your idea can be plan B.”
Shaking my head and fighting a grin, I squeezed my heels into Celeste’s sides, and we took off toward the castle. Astorath was at our side moments later, keeping pace.
The courtyard was completely void of life as we entered, apart from one guard. Themis’ stone eyes bore into me like he knew we spent a full day cycle of being in places we shouldn’t be and the lies we held at the ready on our tongues. Every time I moved, his eyes seemed to follow.
“Lady Aurora, this is Lieutenant Osman,” Darragh introduced as we dismounted from the horses and moved quickly into the stable in case prying eyes watched the courtyard.
“Please. Call me Rory,” I responded to the lieutenant. “Thank you for doing this.”
The guard tightly smiled. “Not a problem, ma’am. Lady Anya is waiting in your rooms with your daughter, who is eager to see you.”
Darragh and I rushed through hallways filled with servants moving about, preparing for the day’s meals, cleaning, and waiting on the nobles and royals. Most paid no mind to our presence.
As soon as we turned a corner into the hallway to my rooms, fatigue set in. The restless sleep and aches from the forest floor caught up to me. Darragh didn’t even appear tired.
“Mom!” Cora opened the door before I even touched it and threw her arms around me.
I knelt, holding her. “Are you alright, sweet girl? Why aren’t you at your schooling?”
She hugged me tighter. “I had to wait for you. Anya and that nice guard said you were alright, but I wanted to make sure. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too,” I crooned into her soft curls.
She stepped back and looked me up and down. Her brows pulled together. “You ruined your dress, and you scold me when I get my nice clothes dirty.”
Anya appeared in the doorway. Her eyes creased with a huge grin. “She is definitely going to use that against you the next time she comes home covered in dirt.” She placed her hands on Cora’s shoulders. “We had a little sleepover last night, and Cora and I played cards.”
“Anya let me eat a bunch of chocolate,” she giggled, and I laughed.
Darragh inclined his head to Anya and me and wordlessly turned to stride back down the hall. “Darragh?” I called after him.
He turned and raised his eyebrow.
I flashed him a smile. “See you tomorrow.”