Chapter Twenty-Four
Rhylen
The days pass in a blur. We enjoy the comforts of the Halstead castle, simply enjoying not being in a tent.
Every day, we plan another move, waiting for news, for a change in plans.
Each night, I find myself back in Isla’s bed, chasing the mare demons that haunt her sleep.
We don’t discuss it, and I’m gone each morning before she rises. It’s a simple, but mundane routine.
One late evening, I’m walking into Isla’s room. I expect her to be sleeping, but she’s sitting near the fireplace, reading in the dim light. I stand there in the shadows for a bit, watching her read.
“That must be a good book,” I finally say, startling her.
“Rhylen,” she said in a breathy voice. I chuckle at the color in her cheeks. “What are you doing here?”
I can’t help but tease her. Instead of answering her question, I march over to her. Putting a hand on each of the armrests, I hover over her. She looks up at me, abruptly closing the book. My nose brushes hers. Isla visibly swallows.
“What are you reading?” I rasp. Her half-closed eyes look down at my lips.
“Just a book Lady Emilie let me borrow,” Isla whispers. She’s in my shirt that is three sizes too big for her. It drapes off her shoulder, revealing her collarbone. I drag my nose against hers one last time, before I stand up, taking a step away from her.
Isla sighs in frustration. She sets her book on the small table.
“We’re making a run tomorrow,” I tell her. Isla perks up, waiting for more information. “There’s a duke sending his taxes to our dear prince. He just so happens to be taking a route close to here. We’re going to intercept.”
Excitement lights up on her face. “You’re letting me tag along? What’s the catch?”
I hold my hands out to her. “No catch.”
She stares at me in disbelief before grabbing my hands and standing up. “But you griped about the dangers of coming with you last time. Now you’re… volunteering?”
“I don’t want to hold you in the dark, just for the sake of protection,” I tell her. I couldn’t. If she wants to contribute, to learn more about the evilness in this kingdom, and actually do something about it, she’ll have to see it firsthand. This was the only way we could do it.
Just this morning, we received word from one of Amos’ spies that Duke Partley was sending his taxes, along with festival goods to the castle. It’s a hit too good to avoid. With the Harvest Moon festival right around the corner, more and more traffic is on the roads.
We needed to get out of here for a bit anyways. It’s already been a week since we first brought Baelur home. His rapid healing sparked a reminder of Isla’s affinity.
“We need to discuss something,” I tell her, leading her to bed.
“If you’re trying to bed me, thief, you’ll have to be a lot more romantic than that.”
I chuckle at her snark. Thoughts of her underneath me, discovering what sounds of pleasure she could make are all too alluring right now.
“Alas, sweet temptress, I wish,” I pull her into me. “When I finally bed you, it’ll be after melodious requests pouring from your mouth.”
Isla scoffs, pushing against me. “In your dreams.”
“Sweet, sweet dreams. Nonetheless, quit distracting me. We need to discuss your affinity,” I tell her. As if I had dumped a cold bucket of water on top of her head, she stiffens against me.
“I don’t know anything, I’ve already told you.”
I nod, wanting to put her back at ease. It’s not that I don’t believe her, truly.
I do. But I want to explore further. Dive into her affinity.
After the elves were given their death sentence, they disappeared.
Some legends say they didn’t die off, they simply assimilated with humans.
The magic in their blood became so diluted, we simply have affinities of what was once a strong magic.
“I know, love. But I’m hoping we can learn more.
” I carry her to the bed, pulling her into me once we’re laying down.
Her head rests in the crook of my shoulder while I play with the long strands of her hair.
I don’t know how we got here, but I don’t want it to stop.
Soon, the sound of her breaths even out and her body falls limp, telling me she’s fallen asleep.
∞∞∞
We stand in the small copse of trees, waiting, listening, for the small sounds of creaky wagon wheels. Isla sits, perched next to me. Nervous energy bounces off of her in waves, as she wiggles and wrings her hands.
“Love, settle down,” I whisper to her, while I focus my attention to a perfectly carvable apple.
“Ugh,” she groans. “I don’t know how you do this. I’m so nervous. What if it goes wrong?”
“Ah,” I respond. ‘But, what if it goes right? Perfect? It saves lives, hits Cailean where it hurts.” She shrugs, watching the leaves sway in the wind. “Close your eyes.”
She looks at me, confused. “Why?”
“Listen. What are the trees telling you?”
Isla rolls her eyes and tries to shrug me off. “That’s not how it works, thief. They don’t just gossip about the comings and goings of the kingdom.”
“But why not,” I challenge. “They tell you where to find exactly what you’re looking for? Why couldn’t they give you the heads up you needed? Tell you what they’ve heard?”
“It just doesn’t work that way. It’s feelings, urges, I don’t know how else to explain it.”
“Have you tried it?” I ask. Isla shakes her head no, so I tell her to close her eyes again. To listen to the whispers in the wind from the trees. We don’t get very far before Ewan is whistling the telltale call that someone is coming. Isla looks at me with a bit of panic on her face.
“It’s time, love,” I give her a wide, excited smile.
I pull my hood a little higher, letting it fall over my forehead.
I tell Isla to hang back a bit while Irric and Wyll jump from the trees, halting the two carriages.
Their bows are slightly drawn, waiting for the first sign to shoot.
The first coachman stands up, confusion written on his face.
He nods when Wyll asks him to sit tight for him.
The door opens to the carriage, a Duke stepping out into the path.
“What’s the meaning of this?” The duke shouts. Duke Partley, a stout man with a round belly, waddles closer to Wyll. His hands are on his hips as he shouts at them. The second coachman knocks loudly on his carriage walls.
Six guardsmen file out of the carriage, their swords drawn. Swinging down from the branch, I land a couple feet from the duke. His face reddens when he sees me. Ewan and Argus start fighting off the guards. The twins fire off arrows, dispatching them hastily.
“You,” The duke barks. “You’re going to regret this.” He looks around at his men bleeding out on the ground.
“Aht, aht, aht,” I cluck. “This was all you, Partley. You chose the wrong side. Now you’ll be paying for your sins.”
Partley wears an indignant look on his face. He reaches for his dagger when Wyll and Irric draw their bows, aiming at him. Argus kills the coachman, taking his place on the seat.
I hear Isla jump down from the trees. The duke’s eyes widen at the sight of another person. Her burgundy hood still conceals her face, but anyone could tell she was a woman.
With a loud, bellowing laugh, the Duke’s head falls back. “Oh. You poor, poor fools. You’ve brought a woman along now? He’s coming for them all, girl. You’d best lose this company.”
Wyll snorts, stepping over a guard’s body to move closer to Duke Partley. I grow bored of this conversation. Argus has had plenty of time to seize the goods we need. I step away from the Duke, clearing his path.
“Duke Partley, thank you for your contribution to the people of this kingdom. Tell your prince, the efforts are highly valued.” The snap of the reins has Partley’s head whipping towards the second carriage, watching Argus and Ewan sit on top of it.
“You’re going to regret this, Hood,” Partley threatens. I give him a shallow, mocking dip.
“Don’t fret Partley,” a voice calls from the woods. I straighten my spine, waiting to see who our new friend is. Sheriff Coley trots out of the tree line; four men flank him.
What he’s doing so far away from the Cahir village, I can’t answer. Isla gasps at the sight of him. Wyll and Irric move closer to us, sheltering Isla from them. Their bows are drawn, aimed at the four men.
“Ahh, Isla,” he sneers. “You’ve been greatly missed by my dearest cousin.” I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Coley is almost as insufferable as his cousin, Oliver, is. It’s unfortunate, really.
Two of Coley’s men surround the carriage Ewan and Argus have apprehended. Their swords are drawn, looking for any excuse to use them. My shoulders tense and I cast Ewan a sharp look. He gives me a subtle nod.
“Well, well, well,” the idiot sheriff drawls. “What’s the rush, friends?” He looks around at the scene that has played out right before he announced his presence. Looking at Isla, Coley gives her a menacing smile.
My fingers itch at his predatory gaze. Sheriff Coley pushes his horse closer to us. “You’ve been missed dearly. I’ve been wondering where you’ve been.”
“What do you want Coley,” I bark, losing the patience to linger here any longer. I don’t like the way he’s looking at her.
“Oh, nothing. I just wanted to see if the rumors were true,” he smiles. “Shame, shame, shame. Someone’s been naughty.” He looks at the two carriages, the dead guards on the ground, and Isla gripping me tightly.
“Arrest them, Coley. Quit your dawdling," Partley commands. Coley looks at the Duke lazily.
“Seize them,” the sheriff orders. Chaos erupts; arrows fling.
Argus and Ewan fight the two guards near their carriage.
Duke Partley shrieks the moment arrows are loosed, crawling on all fours under the carriage.
Wyll and Irric take out the two guards behind Coley, who unsheathes his sword. I shove Isla back into Wyll’s arms.
Coley pushes his horse towards me, slicing his sword chaotically through the air. I can hear Wyll cackle behind me. His telltale sign he’s thoroughly enjoying the fight. Coley lunges at me, falling off of his horse, and pushing me to the ground. I roll over him, maneuvering out of his reach.
“You’re so clumsy, sheriff,” I taunt. He swipes at the air again, narrowly missing me.
Rage fills his eyes at every miss. We circle each other.
Coley moves to strike me, but I dodge. Every move of his is sloppier and sloppier at every miss swipe, every misstep.
He lunges again, slicing my ribs. I hiss at the burning pain.
It lights a feral look in his eye, a wicked gleam that tells him he’s on the winning side.
“Pathetic,” he spits. Before he can swing again, Irric stops him in his tracks. An arrow aimed directly at his temple.
Irric chuckles a deep, throaty laugh. “One more move and you’ll be like your friends.”
Coley glances around, his sword still raised.
He slowly raises it. Argus drags the duke out from underneath the carriage.
Duke Partley begs for mercy, pleading that we can use him for the cause, that he’ll easily pledge his allegiance.
As if that’s what we need. Just another turncoat willing to do anything to save his neck.
Ewan lets out a loud sigh of disappointment.
Argus shoves the duke towards Coley and looks to me for the word. I look at the wretched pair in front of me. “Go, go tell your prince. Report back to him his missing shipments, and let him know his time is coming,” I threaten.
The two back up slowly to the sheriff’s horse. Partley struggles but eventually hoists himself up on one of the fallen guards' horses.
“You’ll pay for this Hood. He’s coming for her,” Coley warns. With that, he kicks his horse into a gallop.
After a bit of silence, Argus and Ewan move back to the carriage filled with festival supplies. Wyll stands and watches as the sheriff and Duke slowly dip out of sight. He looks disgruntled, a little frustrated. “I don’t understand,” Wyll complains. “How did he know we were going to be here?”
Amusement flickers in Irric’s eyes. “Maybe he has the sight.”
Wyll looks at his brother and shoves him in the shoulder. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
I move to take a step, but the earth spins. The trees look sideways. It’s disorienting. Now that everything has settled down, the rush of Coley is long gone, there’s an ache in my side.
Isla grabs my arm as I misstep. Bells ring in my ears. She says something to me, but it sounds like she’s speaking underwater. I can hear her; I just can’t understand the words she’s saying.
Suddenly, I’m looking up at the sky. Isla’s concerned face stares back at me. I raise my hand and cup her cheek. She’s the last thing I see in the confusion and haze.