Chapter 15
Sebastian
I turn back as I wade deeper into the cold water, my eyes finding Julienne on the shore.
“You need to erase our tracks,” I say in a hushed tone, gesturing to the mud at the river’s edge.
She nods quickly, already moving. “I’ll take care of it. Just hide. Quickly!”
I turn and push through the water toward the thick patch of reeds Julienne pointed out. The water rises to just over my hips and is shockingly cold against my bare skin.
From the soft splash of her movements, I know that Isla is right behind me. Her breath comes in soft pants.
I glance back and immediately regret it.
Her wet chemise clings to her like a second skin. The thin white fabric has gone transparent in the water. My eyes are drawn to the swell of her full breasts, the dark peaks of her nipples now tight from the cold. To the indent of her waist. And the flare of her hips.
Her wet hair streams down her back in golden waves, water droplets catching the morning light like diamonds.
Kakara help me.
My belly tightens. Responding in ways I don’t want or need. Not right now. Not ever!
I tear my eyes away from her and push forward into the reeds. The thick stalks close around me, providing cover. I move deeper.
There is a small gap in the dense growth, just as Julienne described. It’s barely big enough for two people. I hold open a thicker section of the reeds so that Isla can pass.
We duck into the open space, dropping low. The water comes up to my stomach. The reeds form a living wall around us, blocking us from view.
Isla is in the small space next to me. Our bodies press together. There’s no way to avoid it. I put an arm around her because there is just not enough space. We need to keep very still.
Her skin is warm despite the cold water. She moves a little closer, brushing her breasts against my chest. Her hard nipples graze my skin, and I have to bite back a groan.
Why me?
I grit my teeth.
She’s shaking. Whether from cold or fear, I’m not sure. Probably a bit of both.
I try to create distance, to shift away, but there’s nowhere to go. The space is too small. We’re wedged together.
I need to concentrate on the imminent danger rather than on her.
It’s impossible because every breath she takes presses her more firmly against me. So much so that I can even feel the rapid beat of her heart.
Outside our hiding spot, Julienne is moving around. I’m sure she’s covering our tracks, just as I asked.
I lift my head, peering through the reeds where they thin at the top.
Isla squeezes my arm, clearly unhappy. I glance down at her, and her jaw is tight, her eyes blazing. She gives a sharp shake of the head.
I try to signal to her that it’s okay, but she shakes her head again.
When I look back up, it’s just in time to see Julienne pulling her dress over her wet chemise. Her hair is soaked, water dripping down her back. The fabric clings to her wet undergarment as she fumbles with the laces.
She’s barely finished when a voice calls out from the distance.
“Hey! You there!”
My blood runs cold. I’m sure it’s another group of guards.
Julienne keeps walking away from the alcove, not stopping. Not looking back. She’s putting distance between herself and our hiding spot.
“Stop!” The booming voice is closer now. “Stay right where you are.”
Within seconds, several fae guards circle around Julienne, blocking her path.
Damn it all to hell!
I duck down lower, pressing myself further into the reeds. I clutch Isla closer to me.
“Shhhh,” I whisper into the shell of her ear.
When I pull back, she nods, her eyes wide with terror.
Would she be this worried if she were working for the shadowfae? For the queen herself?
The thought gives me pause.
Then again, perhaps she’s just a good actress. I know all about good actresses. About beautiful females who aren’t who they portray themselves to be.
I push the thought away, lifting my head just a little to focus on the scene unfolding before us. If I stay very still, they won’t be able to see me, even though I can just about make out what is happening in the clearing up ahead.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Julienne demands, her voice carrying across the water.
“We’re searching for escaped prisoners,” one of the guards says. It’s not the same group from last night. These are different fae. They do not know Julienne. “They’re dangerous killers. We need to question you.”
“I’ve already been questioned,” Julienne tells them. “Last night. A group of your fellow guards came to my cabin, searched the premises, and left satisfied.”
“Well, we’re questioning you again,” another voice cuts in. This one is harder. “I’m Commander Theodore. I have my orders.”
Isla pulls in a sharp breath. I squeeze her arm. “It’s okay,” I mouth.
“Of course, Commander,” Julienne says. “I’m happy to cooperate. Though I assure you, I know nothing.”
“We’ll be the judge of that.” Commander Theodore steps closer to her, his eyes narrowing. “Why are you soaking wet?”
“I was bathing,” Julienne tells him. “In the river. Surely that is permissible?”
“Yes, of course.” His gaze moves over her, taking in her wet hair, her clinging dress. “Why didn’t you dry properly? You have linen in that basket.”
“It is very hot. I have a cabin to clean. I like to do my work in wet clothes. Keeps me cool.”
The commander grunts. “What are all these linens for?” He gestures to the basket she’d brought, still sitting near the water’s edge. The soap and drying cloths are clearly visible.
“I took them along out of habit.” She shrugs. “Also, the water didn’t cool me down like it normally does.” She sighs. “I guess I am getting old. I run hotter than I used to.”
The commander doesn’t say anything for a good long while. “My wife has the same problem. Are you alone?”
Isla’s breathing quickens.
“Yes,” she says.
“Why were you in such a hurry?” another guard asks. “You were practically running away from the river when we spotted you.”
Julienne doesn’t miss a beat. “I heard voices. I didn’t know who was out here.
For all I knew, you could have been the escaped prisoners yourselves.
” She pauses for a beat. “I was frightened. So yes, I was hurrying back to my cabin, where I’d feel safer behind lock and key.
I was relieved to see you and your men, Commander. ”
“You say guards came to your cabin last night?” he asks.
“Yes. They questioned me, searched my home, even checked my barn. Then they left.”
“And you haven’t seen anyone since?”
“Not a soul. Just you.” She almost sounds bored. “You are welcome to check my cabin yourself, if you would like.”
The commander makes a noise of interest that I have to strain to hear. “I would prefer to see where you just came from in such a hurry,” he says slowly. “Can you take us there?”
“You want to see the river?” Julienne sounds confused.
“Yes.” It’s not a request.
Julienne hesitates for only a heartbeat. “Of course, Commander Theodore. Follow me.”
I duck down as she leads them back toward our hiding spot.
Isla’s heart begins to flutter. I rub my hand up her arm, trying to offer comfort. It’s the briefest of movements.
One of them walks directly past our hiding spot. He is too close for comfort.
I hold my breath. Isla has gone completely still as well. Her face is pale.
“It’s a nice spot,” one of the younger-sounding guards says. “The water looks inviting.”
“Indeed,” the commander responds. His voice is closer now. He’s right at the water’s edge.
Another guard approaches. “Commander, permission to have a quick swim? We’ve been on our feet all night. The water looks wonderful.”
No! No, no, no!
He chuckles. “Why not? A quick swim wouldn’t hurt,” he says. “We’ll take a short break, then continue the search.”
My heart sinks.
Julienne’s voice cuts through. “If you’re satisfied that I’m telling the truth, may I return to my cabin? I have chores to attend to.”
The commander glances at her. “Yes, you may go. Thank you for your cooperation. You need to send word immediately if you see any sign of the prisoners. Do not approach them. They are dangerous.”
“Understood.” Julienne is already walking away.
There is the clank of metal hitting the ground as the guards begin to strip off their armor. The splash of bodies entering the water follows straight after.
There are groans of appreciation and a hiss from one of the more squeamish guards. The water is cold.
Isla and I press closer together, trying to make ourselves as small as possible. We huddle down low, the water coming up to just under our chests.
Her body is plastered against mine now. There’s no space between us. Just her wet, warm skin against mine.
Her breasts are crushed against my bare chest. I can feel every curve of them. Feel the hard points of her nipples pressing into me. She’s breathing rapidly, her chest rising and falling against mine.
My body responds despite everything. Despite my attempts to keep my mind on the danger instead of her.
Heat floods through me. My cock hardens.
Dammit! I need to stop this.
I can’t.
I need to get myself under control. This is all kinds of wrong.
The guards are in the water now, just on the other side of the reeds. So close I can hear their individual voices. Can hear the splash of water as they move.
“Kakara’s cat, but this feels good,” one of them groans.
“Better than walking all night,” another agrees.
“Let’s go deeper.”
“Ahhhhh… It’s so refreshing.”
My cock is throbbing. I’ve never lost control like this before. It doesn’t matter that it’s been an age since I was with a woman. It shouldn’t matter.
I bite down on the inside of my cheek, willing my shaft to go down.
Her hair floats around us in the water, soft strands brushing against my neck and shoulders. She smells of lavender soap and wildflowers, making me want to lean in closer, to breathe her in.
Is she using a spell on me? It feels like it.
“Enough, men,” the commander yells. “Out of the water. All of you. We have a job to do. Our shift isn’t over yet.”
Thank the gods.
There are groans of protest, but the guards obey. They splash toward the shore, dressing quickly.
“We need to keep searching,” the commander continues.
“Why?” one of the guards asks. “Surely they are long gone from our court?”
“We can’t assume anything. There are teams searching the deadlands. We have a job to do. That means we continue our search of the north side of the court. I don’t want to hear another word.”
The grumbles stop.
“What about the old mine?” one of them asks.
“Good thinking. We’ll check there too.”
Their voices grow fainter as they walk away.
Isla and I remain frozen, not daring to move. Not daring to breathe.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, silence falls.
They’re gone.
I wait a few moments more, making absolutely certain. Then I pull away from her.
“Let’s get back to the cabin,” I tell her in a gruff voice. “I have to start preparing for my trip. I’m leaving at nightfall.”
She tilts her head up at me. Her eyes are big and almost pleading. “We shouldn’t leave just yet. It’s unsafe. There are guards everywhere looking for you. It would be safer to stay with Julienne until things quieten down. I know she wouldn’t mind having us.”
I shake my head. “I need to go.”
She clenches her jaw for a few long moments.
“Why do you insist on being so pigheaded? You do realize that if you are captured, you put both Julienne and me at great risk. I know you don’t care about me, but think of her.
Not to mention what it would do to the future of our realm if you were captured and executed. ”
“I’m not being pigheaded. I would never give Julienne up…or you, for that matter. It is how it needs to be.” I stand and open the reeds for her, making it clear that the conversation is over. I can’t be swayed.
I wish I could explain things to her, but I can’t.
Isla swallows thickly. Then she wades out of the reeds and through the water to the edge. Her back is rigid. Her steps are choppy. She’s angry, which I understand.
She turns suddenly. “I helped you escape. I did so at great risk. I exposed myself…for you.” She points at me.
“The least you can do is help me escape this court and get through the deadlands. You can leave me at the first village we find. Why is that so hard?” Although she is keeping her voice low, it is laced with anger.
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are blazing.
“I’m sorry.” I mean it too. “I wish I could help you, but I can’t.” I shake my head. “It isn’t personal.”
“You accused me of lying, of working for the queen, so it is very personal to me. You will be captured, and I won’t save you this time.”
“I don’t need saving.”
She whirls back around, growling in anger and frustration. Her hands are clenched into tight fists.
“Pigheaded fool!” she says as she stomps away, headed for the cabin.
I stand there for a few moments. Then I start after her, giving her plenty of space.
I can’t trust her, but I do like her… more than I should. She has grit.
Unfortunately, there is a bigger picture at stake. It’s out of my hands. I have a plan. I need to stick to it. That’s all there is to it.
Isla will understand soon enough. If she doesn’t, then so be it.