Chapter 16
Isla
I walk as quickly as I can toward the cabin. Anger burns through me.
Why is he acting this way?
I don’t understand him at all. I pull in a deep breath.
Then again, he never asked for my help. He doesn’t owe me anything. It’s easy to forget that part of this equation. After talking with Julienne, I understand him better and yet…he still makes me so mad I could scream.
I need to get over it. I need to accept that this is how things are going to be. My life has changed, and just like every other day, it is up to me. I only have myself. For the briefest moment, I allowed myself to think that I might not be alone, even if only for a few days, but it is not to be.
I start walking again, and my anger slowly fades.
Why is he so hellbent on leaving tonight? It doesn’t make any sense. It’s foolish, to say the least.
I push through the door of the cabin, and Julienne looks up from where she’s pacing up and down. Her face breaks into a smile.
“Thank Kakara, you’re safe.” She rushes over to me, her eyes scanning my face. “Are you alright? Where’s Sebastian?” Her eyes widen. “Did they…?”
“He’s fine,” I tell her. The cabin feels warm after the cold water, but I’m still shivering. “We’re both fine. The guards have left for the old mines. It was a close shave. Sebastian is right behind me. I…we… He’s on his way.”
Julienne’s eyes narrow. She looks at me for a few more beats before nodding.
“Let me get you some linens to dry off,” she says, moving toward the basket she packed earlier. “And clean clothes. You must be freezing.”
She pulls out thick linen towels and a dress made of dark green wool. The fabric looks soft and well-made.
“Thank you,” I say, taking the items from her. “You’re too kind.”
“Nonsense.” She touches the side of my arm. “It’s the least I can do.”
The door opens behind me, and I know without looking that it’s Sebastian.
I turn anyway.
He’s wet, wearing only his hose. Water runs in rivulets down his bare chest, following the contours of his muscles. His dark hair is wet too. The fabric of his hose clings to his powerful thighs.
My mouth goes dry.
He looks like some kind of warrior god emerging from battle. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more masculine.
I don’t like my reaction to him. I don’t want this attraction. I don’t even know him. Sebastian is trouble.
Maybe it’s for the best that we don’t travel together.
“I’m glad you’re both okay,” Julienne tells him. “You had me worried.” She glances at me. “Just look at you, you’re soaked through. Let me get you something to dry off with and some clean clothes.”
She goes to the chest again, pulling out more linens and a set of men’s clothing.
Sebastian takes them with a nod of thanks. His eyes meet mine for just a moment. There’s something in his gaze. Regret, maybe. Or guilt.
Then he looks away.
“I’ll just,” I gesture toward the back of the cabin, “go and get changed.”
“Use my bedroom,” she says.
“Thanks.” I start to turn, then stop. “Sebastian is insisting on leaving at nightfall. I think it’s a bad idea.” I speak quickly.
Julienne’s eyes narrow with concern. “I’ll talk to him.”
I nod, heading for her bedroom.
I strip off my wet chemise and dry myself quickly with the linen. Then I pull on a dry chemise and the green wool dress. It’s a bit loose in the waist and tight across the chest, but it fits well enough.
When I emerge, Sebastian is already dressed in clean clothes. Brown breeches and a plain linen tunic. His hair is still damp, pushed back from his face.
“Sit, sit,” Julienne says, gesturing to the chairs. “Both of you must be starving.”
We do as she asks. Sebastian takes the chair farthest from me.
Julienne puts a pitcher of water on the table before sitting. We all dish and start eating. You could hear a pin drop.
“So,” Julienne says, smiling. “That was quite an adventure this morning, wasn’t it?” She laughs, but it sounds forced. “I was so worried when I saw those guards. But you both did well. Especially considering how long they stayed. It couldn’t have been easy in those reeds.”
I think of his hard, warm body pressed against mine. “No, it wasn’t.” I clear my throat. “But we managed.”
Sebastian nods, chewing slowly. “It was a good hiding place.”
“I’m just glad everyone is safe.” She pauses, looking between us. “You know, I was thinking…perhaps you should both stay here a little while longer. Just until things calm down.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Sebastian says, his tone polite. “But I’ll be leaving at nightfall. It’s for the best.”
Julienne’s smile falters. “Sebastian, please. Be reasonable. It’s far too dangerous right now. They’re searching everywhere. If you wait just a few more days or until—”
“I can’t wait.” He shakes his head. “I just…I can’t.”
“But you’ll be at risk,” I say before I can stop myself. “You won’t make it five leagues before you’re caught.”
“I’ll be fine. You have no reason to worry.”
“I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about the realm,” I mutter.
“There is plenty of reason for concern,” Julienne interjects. “Please, Your Majesty. Just a little longer. That’s all I’m asking.”
“I’m sorry,” Sebastian says. “My mind is made up. I need a horse and some supplies. I won’t take much. You can give most of the food and coin to Isla.” He glances at me.
“That won’t be—” I start to say.
“I insist. You’ll need it,” he tells me, his expression serious. “Use it to start a new life. I owe you for saving me. My debt can be considered as paid. You’ll have to trust that I’m making the right decision.”
“Okay then, I guess there is no more to say on the matter,” Julienne says, standing to clear the dishes.
Sebastian and I stand too. I take the jug and my cup.
Sebastian takes two of the plates of leftover food.
“I will help you with the horses,” he tells Julienne. “I may as well make myself useful while I am here. It is the least I can do.”
She snorts. “You’ll do nothing of the sort.
If you’re determined to leave tonight, you should try to get some rest. You have a long journey ahead of you.
You will need to make good time if you are to escape and to get ahead of the guards.
The shadowfae will not be the only court looking for you.
There will be a big bounty on your head, my Lord. ”
“Are you sure? I could—”
“You need your rest. I will manage just fine,” Julienne tells him.
Sebastian nods. “You are right. Perhaps rest is a good idea. Thank you for breakfast. Thank you for everything.”
“Of course.” She gives him a sad smile. “Rest well, my Lord.”
“Before I go, do you perhaps have paper, a quill, and some ink?”
“Yes, of course.”
Julienne goes over to a cabinet and takes out the requested supplies, which she hands to him.
“Here you go.” She inclines her head.
“Thank you. I will see you both a little later.” He glances my way, and I nod once.
Then he heads toward the trapdoor, opening it. He descends the ladder using one hand. Moments later, the door closes, and he’s gone.
Julienne looks at me, her expression sympathetic. “He’s stubborn, isn’t he?” she whispers.
“That’s one word for it,” I mutter.
I prefer pigheaded.
She moves to the basin and begins washing the dishes. I stand and join her, taking up a drying cloth.
“I was thinking,” I say as I dry a plate. “Would it be alright if I stayed here? Just for a few days. Until things quiet down.”
Julienne’s face brightens. “Of course! You can stay as long as you’d like.
Although the queen is due to arrive sometime tomorrow.
Perhaps with all attention focused on her, you could slip away unnoticed.
The guards will be occupied with her arrival.
It’s just a suggestion. I don’t mind if you stay longer. ”
“Will she still come to the Shadow Court even though Sebastian is no longer imprisoned?”
“My contact at the castle hasn’t sent word to the contrary, so yes, she is still making her way here. I think you will have an opportunity then.”
It makes sense. I nod.
“I wish Sebastian would listen to us, and the two of you could slip away together,” Julienne continues with a sigh. “But it seems he’s made up his mind.”
I finish drying the plate and set it on the shelf. “I’m afraid so.”
“I’m sure he has a plan. You need to understand that he has the weight of the whole realm on his shoulders.”
“I know,” I whisper.
We finish the dishes. When everything is clean and put away, Julienne grabs a basket from beside the door.
“I need to tend to the horses,” she tells me. “Would you like to come help? It might do you good to get some fresh air. Clear your head a bit.”
I nod. “I’d like that.”
We go outside, following a narrow path toward the small barn behind the cabin. The barn is well-maintained. There are three stalls, each with a horse inside.
“This is Nox,” Julienne says, moving to the first stall.
She strokes the nose of a dappled gray gelding.
“And this is Storm.” She gestures to a black mare in the second stall.
“The chestnut is Jack. He can be a little cranky, but he’s a good horse.
Never gets lame. He’s never given me a day of trouble.
I would suggest that you take him when the time comes.
The other two can be a little spirited.”
“I used to ride back home when I was young. My friend Lyre has offered me a ride more than once on her horses; right now, I wish I had accepted. I’m completely out of practice.” I widen my eyes.
“You’ll pick it up again in no time. Jack will take good care of you. Sebastian said that you can take most of the coin meant for him, so you will be just fine.”
It should make me feel better, but it doesn’t. I don’t want Sebastian’s coin. I can’t help but feel that he is making a big mistake. That he’s going to be captured or worse.
It is his life; he needs to make his own decisions.
I go to Jack’s stall, holding out my hand. He puts his ears flat back.
Julienne chuckles. “See what I mean about him being cranky? It’s all show. He doesn’t bite, I promise.”
Although I’m a little nervous, I push through my fear and pat him on the neck. His ears flick forward, but as soon as I stop stroking his soft coat, they pull back again.
Julienne laughs again. I find myself smiling, but I quickly turn serious.
I have this horrible feeling that everything is going to go terribly wrong.