The Princess #2
He shot me a dark look but took the coins. “That fellow is dangerous, lass. You shouldn’t be around him.”
“I know what I’m doing,” I said, forcing a smile. “Besides, he can’t hurt me.”
“Not yet, at least,” muttered a voice behind me.
I stifled a yelp, whirling to find Theron standing there with a scowl on his face. His dark eyes were clearer now, and he had his bag slung over his shoulder. I had expected his bumbling steps to echo around the inn, but he’d been stealthier than I’d expected, even hungover.
His bitter expression brought another smile to my face, and I hooked my elbow through his. His face pinched in disgust, but I tightened my grip on his arm, trying to ignore the massive size of his bicep. Shivering bones, he was strong. He could likely kill me with a single jab to my throat.
Bless you, fae bargain, I thought. “Thank you for the lovely room,” I said to the innkeeper, guiding Theron forward.
In response, the innkeeper spat at Theron’s feet.
Theron went rigid, his eyes burning as he glared at the man with all the intensity of a bloodthirsty killer. He was likely contemplating the many horrifying ways he could end this man’s life.
I dug my fingernails into his arm and breathed, “Don’t even think about it.” If he dared to lay a hand on anyone in this village, I would make him pay for it.
For a long, tense moment, Theron and the innkeeper stared hatefully at one another. I impatiently tugged on Theron’s arm. When he still didn’t budge, I feared I would, in fact, have to make good on my threat to have him dragged from the inn.
How many men would Theron take down before they hauled him out of here?
I didn’t want to think about it. My free hand inched toward my dagger, recalling what Stella had taught me about the best places to cut.
A few severed arteries would certainly slow him down.
Perhaps I could stab him in the groin, too, for good measure…
Just when I thought Theron was about to unleash chaos, he turned away from the innkeeper and allowed me to steer him toward the door.
I let out a breath of relief as we stepped outside.
A fresh blanket of snow covered the ground, and the stillness of the wintry air was like a soothing balm.
I inhaled deeply, relishing the feel of it.
I loved winter mornings. They were so peaceful.
When I moved toward the woods, Theron stiffened, stopping us short. He jerked his arm out of my grip.
“The stables are this way.” He gestured down the narrow road. “My horse is there.”
I smirked. “We won’t be riding a horse.”
He merely blinked at me, and I relished the look of shock and confusion on his face.
“Come on, then.” I turned toward the forest.
Theron didn’t move. “I’m getting my damn horse, princess.”
I snorted. “No, you aren’t. You expect me to trust a beast that has been trained by you? Not a chance.”
When Theron still didn’t move, I said, “Don’t make me go back there and get those men to drag you into the woods, because I will.”
Theron’s eyes darkened, his nostrils flaring. For a moment, I feared I would have to rely on the innkeeper’s sons to get the hunter to come this way. But then he followed after me, his arms rigid at his sides.
I followed the worn path through the foliage, knowing my way despite the fresh powder of snow that masked the well-worn trail.
To my surprise, the hunter followed with lithe grace, hardly making a sound.
He was a predator when he moved. Not a twig snapped.
The snow didn’t even crunch with his steps.
Then, I remembered he was an assassin. A hunter. He was probably as comfortable in the woods as I was.
“Perhaps your fae magic is stealth,” I said over my shoulder. I had never heard a person walk so quietly. The only reason my own steps didn’t echo in the wood was because I knew exactly where to step. But it had taken me years of practice.
“Perhaps,” he said vaguely. He was much closer than I’d thought, so I quickened my pace to put more distance between us.
It didn’t take me long to reach the grove where Mauro liked to graze. Sure enough, I found him, poised and elegant, his magnificent antlers brushing snow off the branches as he turned his head to blink slowly at my approach.
“Hi there,” I said with a wide smile. “Ready to go on a trip?”
Behind me, Theron stilled. “Are you talking to that stag?”
I almost snorted at the note of incredulity in his voice. It gave me an absurd amount of pleasure to cause him such bewilderment. Ignoring his question, I reached up and scratched Mauro underneath his chin. His eyes closed, and he rumbled a growl of approval.
“No,” he grumbled.
A startled noise sounded from Theron, and I bit back another grin. I didn’t often get to show off my relationship with faerie creatures, so I planned to savor it.
“I hate traveling,” Mauro said.
I gave him my most innocent, doe-eyed look. “Come on, Mauro. You promised.” My lower lip puckered in a frown that I knew would make him melt.
Mauro blinked once at me, then sighed heavily. “Fine. But only because you give the best neck rubs.”
I smiled, then turned to Theron, who was watching Mauro with a vicious intensity.
“He’s fae,” the hunter murmured.
He didn’t sound surprised; he sounded wary. His dark eyes were shrewd and lethal as he appraised the stag, like one beast assessing another.
“No shit,” I said in a flat voice.
Mauro lowered his head to glare at Theron. “Who is this? I don’t like him. He smells like blood.”
“This foul man is my companion,” I replied, then frowned. “Sorry, I suppose I should say this foul male is my companion. Aren’t you fae sensitive about that distinction?”
Theron’s scowl deepened, his eyes still fixed on Mauro. “Some are. But the humans and fae of the Winter Court have mingled for so long that we’ve become desensitized to it.” The disgust in his voice told me he was unhappy with this fact.
I rolled my eyes and said to Mauro, “Don’t worry, he’s not my traveling companion by choice. But he won’t harm you. Right, Theron?”
Theron’s body was rigid, as if prepared to do battle. “You trust this creature?”
I stiffened at the accusation in his tone. “Yes, I do. More than I trust you, as a matter of fact.”
He scoffed. “Then you’re a fool. Fae beasts are not to be trusted.”
Mauro started pawing at the snow at his feet. “I really don’t like this fellow.”
“I don’t, either,” I muttered. “But we’re stuck with him. If he causes you trouble, you have my permission to skewer him with your antlers.” I shot Theron my widest smile, and his scowl deepened.
Mauro obediently sank to his knees while I climbed atop him. His fur was soft, and even without a saddle, his back provided a smooth ride. I had tried riding a wild stag once, and it wasn’t the same. Very uncomfortable. Not to mention Mauro was so offended he wouldn’t speak to me for a week.
“And I suppose I’m just meant to walk by your side, am I?” Theron said, spreading his arms.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll ride behind me.”
“I beg your pardon?” The words held the hint of a growl that put even Mauro’s rumbling voice to shame.
“Mauro is the only one strong enough to carry us both.” I settled into position on Mauro’s back, my legs on either side of him.
“What about my horse?” Theron bit out. “Or any horse in the stables?”
“I can’t risk leaving a trail for others to follow. Stable hands can be bribed for information.” I tilted my head at him and narrowed my eyes. “Besides, I’d wager you spent all your coin on your generous helpings of ale last night.”
Theron’s gaze darkened, and, to my surprise, his cheeks flushed.
I barked out a surprised laugh. I had indeed caught him.
I was sure he was looking forward to providing yet another obstacle to our journey when he revealed his empty coin purse.
He had probably expected the stable hand to call the authorities when Theron couldn’t pay to have his horse cared for.
A few nights in a jail cell would certainly have slowed our travels.
“So, it’s your choice, Sir Hunter,” I said. “You can try to keep up on foot, or you can climb up behind me.”
“And if I refuse to leave until I find a proper mount?” Theron crossed his arms.
Mauro snorted in derision. “You won’t find a mount with half my wit or speed.”
“Mauro isn’t the only fae beast here, you know,” I said.
“The forest is full of them, and they are all my friends. All willing to help me.” I raised my eyebrows at Theron.
“You can try to resist, hunter. But if you do, between me, the stag, the fox, and the dragons, I think we’ll be able to force you on this mount. ”
Theron’s face paled. “Dragons?”
I beamed. “Yes. Dragons.” Never mind that Rogun was so big he could hardly move without falling asleep. Or that Kendra was so terrified of confrontation that she would bury herself in my cloak before approaching Theron.
The hunter didn’t need to know that.
A muscle worked in Theron’s jaw as he, too, glanced around the forest, no doubt searching for a way out of this predicament.
After a long, tense moment, he hissed a breath from his teeth. “Very well, princess,” he spat. “You win this round.”
A delighted chuckle escaped me as he stomped toward the stag, preparing to swing his leg over the side.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Mauro huffed. “Grab a log to use as a mounting block.”
“You didn’t demand a mounting block for her,” Theron argued, and I had to laugh again at the lunacy of this deadly assassin arguing with a stag.
“I trust her,” Mauro said. “And she’s much smaller than you.”
“Hey.” I gently swatted one of his antlers.
“Just a fact, princess. You are quite petite.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not as petite as Stella.”
“Even the mice are not as petite as Stella.”
To my annoyance, Theron was smirking. I snapped my fingers at him. “Mounting block. Now.”
“I don’t take orders from you, little princess.”
I refused to rise to his baiting, turning my head away so I didn’t have to look at his smug face.
A loud thump indicated he’d found a log.
I scooted forward to make room for him as he used the log to hoist himself atop Mauro.
To his credit, the great stag didn’t even groan or shift from the additional weight on his back, though I knew he wasn’t accustomed to carrying two travelers.
“You all right?” I asked, rubbing the side of his neck.
“Don’t patronize me,” he snapped.
I withdrew my hand as if he’d burned me, remembering that Mauro hated to be coddled.
Theron adjusted his seating behind me, his chest flush against my back and his warmth surrounding me.
I was irritated to discover he had a very pleasing scent of willow bark and something brisk and earthy that reminded me of the mountains.
“Don’t fall off,” I tossed over my shoulder before Mauro broke into a gallop.
Theron yelped, his arms tightening around my waist to keep himself secure on Mauro’s back.
I wanted to laugh, but the sudden closeness of his body was unnerving.
I swallowed, choosing to ignore this opportunity to tease him, and instead focused on maintaining my own balance.
I’d ridden Mauro plenty of times, but with Theron’s added weight, it felt as bouncy and unstable as my first ride.
I tucked my legs closer, my knees digging into Mauro’s fur.
“Watch it,” Mauro huffed.
“I don’t want to fall!” I argued.
“I’m offended. You think I would let that happen?”
I relaxed my legs slightly, my heart softening at the indignation in the stag’s voice. Mauro had never failed me before. I trusted him with my life.
“Are we truly to ride this creature the entire way to Taerin?” the assassin asked.
“Yes. He’s rather good at navigating through the woods.”
“We aren’t taking roads?”
“Of course not. I thought you were supposed to be stealthy! What would people think if they saw me riding a stag?”
“That you’re insane. And rightly so.”
I jabbed my elbow into his gut, but my arm met hard muscle, and he didn’t even flinch.
“Will you two be quiet?” Mauro barked. “You’re distracting me.”
I bit back a grin but fell silent. Generally, I didn’t speak while riding—mostly because Mauro hated conversation. This would definitely be a trying journey for him.
For all three of us.