30. Sanctuary
CHAPTER THIRTY
Sanctuary
Liadan and Archer’s horses trotted ahead of Abrax.
I could tell they spoke in hurried, hushed words, but they were too far away for me to hear.
The question of how they had found us had gone unasked in the flurry of their arrival.
It could not have been chance, but they had been deep in conversation every time we slowed enough to speak.
“As long as the safety of my bondmate is first,” Cassiel called.
I followed his focus to Liadan and Archer.
Both their shoulders stiffened, and they stopped speaking.
Of course Cassiel had been listening. “Mortals,” he scoffed.
I angled to look back at his mouth curled in distaste.
He met my eyes and smoothed his features, shrugging.
I pulled the cloak Cassiel wore tighter around my front.
Traveling under the moonlight was chilly.
“Liadan, how did you find us?” I asked. Liadan looked over his shoulder.
“Lucinda said you would be here.”
Lucinda? “She is with you?”
“She will be where we are going.”
I had not given her more thought after she had disappeared into the trees with her wraithling. She seemed to know exactly what she was doing. More than capable of handling herself.
Morak came galloping at a breakneck speed. He had traveled ahead of us to ensure the roads were clear, and that was a while ago. He raised a hand and gave a sharp whistle. Liadan yanked his horse around and trotted to our side.
“Get into the cover of the woods,” he jerked the reins and the horse bolted inside. Cassiel pushed Abrax into a trot to follow Liadan. A few of the thin branches spearing out of the slim, compact trees snagged my dress.
“Duck your head,” Cassiel ordered. He curled his cloak higher to cover my face. All I saw was the inside of the black fabric. There was nothing to see other than trees under the cover of night.
We rode for a while longer, and I did not know what lay ahead or where we were until Abrax slowed.
I poked my head out from under the cloak.
A large stable stretched ahead. Straw and manure reached my senses.
Archer faced outward, scanning with intense focus.
Liadan dismounted, reached into the back saddle pack, and pulled out a ring with various keys in it.
Then patted his steed’s hind and strode to the stable entrance.
He crouched, peering through the small keyhole before he lifted the ring, using the moonlight to angle the jingling ring about.
He then selected two slim picks attached to the ring and shoved them inside the lock.
As Liadan twisted and turned the picks, he kept his ear near the wood.
“This is a public paddock.”
Where anyone traveling could put their horse to rest—whilst it was open.
“We use many public paddocks located across Sycarious,” Liadan said as he finally twisted and the lock popped open. With a smooth pull, he yanked it off and opened one side of the stable door.
“That is partly why I never found any sign of them.” Disgruntlement coated Cassiel’s tone.
Cassiel moved Abrax through the doors into the stable.
His hooves clopped over the dirt and hay as he went straight to the tub of water at the end of the path.
Cassiel dismounted. The cloak rippled around him with ease, the fur at his shoulders stirring.
He held out a hand, but I ignored it, swinging my leg over.
My balance faltered and Cassiel caught my arm to steady me.
My feet always ached when they met the ground.
Liadan guided Archer and his horse beside Abrax. He flipped the reins over the pole. He tied Abrax’s lead as well. Hooves clopped near as Morak brought his horse in. I unbound the satchel carrying the grimoire and swung the strap across my chest.
“One of our people is a stable hand here,” Liadan explained as he finished.
Morak grunted, disapproval on his face. Liadan held up his hands. Morak eyed Cassiel from the corner of his eye. Everything about Morak said he would be ready for battle.
Meanwhile, Cassiel could not be bothered.
“So we wait?” I asked, clearing my throat.
“Yes, Am—Lady Draven,” Liadan corrected himself, peeking behind me. I did not have to turn around to see Cassiel looming behind me. Liadan slicked his hair back. “Come, we have a sanctuary to rest in during dawnlight.”
I followed Liadan and had almost caught up to him when Cassiel’s hand rested on my shoulder, forcing me to remain at his side.
I pursed my lips, but gave in since I did not want to cause Liadan any hardship.
Stepping over the crunching straw, we made it through the exit until we stood outside.
Liadan palmed the blade hanging from his hip.
“Follow me. Remain silent.” Liadan began forward, and I fell into step, Cassiel practically stepping on the heel of my slippers with how close he was.
The slim trees were easy to navigate around. They seemed to almost cause an illusion under the cover of night. Pale moss clung to the surface of the trees. As I picked my way through the uneven terrain, my stride shortened. The distance we had walked wore on my hip.
Cassiel pulled my arm until I stopped. I looked up at him. Instead of saying anything, he turned around and crouched.
‘Climb on.’ I stared and was about to take a step away. ‘Or I will drag you into my arms.’
I looked over my shoulder. The rest of them were already quite a distance away.
I sighed and tossed my arms around his shoulders.
As he stood, he took my legs and tightened his hold on them against his waist. He caught up with the other men in a few long strides.
I nestled my chin against his shoulder sighing from the relief at my feet.
He braced most of my weight, so I did not have to make too much of an effort.
The change in position lulled me into a hazy half-sleep. I only woke because my hand went limp and in releasing my wrist, I was jolted awake.
“The way is safe,” Liadan said. I drew upright, blinking the sleep from my eyes rapidly.
“Let me down,” I croaked, straightening my legs.
Cassiel crouched and released my legs. I used his shoulders for balance. My hip pinched, and I stretched my leg out. Cassiel caught my leg, his palm spanning the side of my thigh as he squeezed the spot. I groaned; the relief was instantaneous.
My gaze clashed with Morak’s. The creases on his face had deepened with unmistakable shock. He watched us like we were specimens.
Archer approached with Liadan. “We agreed that His Highness should be hidden.”
Archer grunted and crossed his arms. They all watched each other as if they would begin brawling.
I cleared my throat. “And what does that entail?”
“Archer has to touch Lord Draven,” Liadan said quickly.
Cassiel’s lip curled into distaste.
“I do not want to touch you either.” Archer’s expression cooled.
“Gentlemen,” Liadan assuaged. “We cannot bring danger with us.”
“He will do as you ask,” I interjected and pushed my elbow into Cassiel’s side. I met his eyes pointedly, attempting to convey that he had struck a bargain. If I were to wed him in order to have his cooperation, then he must do it.
His mouth thinned, and he stiffly jerked his chin down into a slight nod. He stuck his arm out from under his cloak and rolled the sleeve up.
I turned back around and nodded. A heavy weight fell over my shoulders, and fur tickled my cheeks. It smelled of leather and ink. I looked over my shoulder at Cassiel, but the thick fur at the collar blocked my sight.
“It will drag,” I said as I collected and bunched the bottom of the cloak at my midsection.
“Follow me, Lady Draven.” Liadan stepped forward while Archer stood beside Morak. He reached a hand out for Cassiel. Archer grabbed both men’s wrists. The image of them rippled, then they all disappeared.
Liadan cleared his throat, and I refocused, following after him through the last portion of the treeline.
We came out from near a pond. An owl hooted from behind us.
A stone-paved path made it easier to weave through.
I peeked over my shoulder to find the space empty.
When I turned back around, Liadan was some distance away.
I hurried over the stones that wound around the pond and branched off toward the village.
At the village’s entrance, there were a few more trees scattered throughout. Straw bales lined the sides of the pond’s exit. The stone pathway became a more structured road that broke in two directions. Darkness covered the village.
I followed Liadan down the path. We crossed gated estates.
Past the iron bars, amulets hung framing the door of Elite homes.
As we walked deeper through the streets, estates turned into smaller dwellings.
Straw roofing and thick salt lines ran along the front of the houses.
The disparity between the Elite, including those that had connections to them, versus those that had little to their name was evident.
Eventually we trekked over a path that had been less cared for. Dirt and broken bits of stone littered the surroundings. The sparse trees thickened, the craggy branches poking outward.
We strode through an iron gate that was left slightly ajar. As soon as we were through, it opened onto a dwelling much nicer than the others we had seen. The walls were made of brick, and the structure spread wider. Thin, dry vines climbed up the sides of the home.
The door opened and out peeked a head with pale hair. “Hurry it up.” Her hissed words reached us.
I quickened my stride inside, and the floorboards resonated underfoot. My slipper caught on a raised edge. I flew forward, unfamiliar faces flying by as I stumbled. A grip on my shoulder straightened me. I peered up at Cassiel. The front door slammed shut.
“Is that His Highness?” The softly spoken words sliced through the silence.