CHAPTER 6 #2
“... Well, it’s always good to see a list get smaller.
” Lenore smiled at him. “Thank you.” She took the pouch, unable to resist the offer of food.
Once she opened it, it was a heavenly symphony of spices that had her mouth watering.
Her eyes sparkled as she pulled out a piece of beef jerky, bringing it closer for a deeper inhale.
Lenore didn’t waste another second biting into it, relishing the sweet and spicy flavor that danced in her mouth. The dried meat tasted much better than the bland oatmeal she was given at the knight’s outpost, and all the meals during her hospital stay (though anything really was better than that).
Despite still chewing, she reached for another piece of jerky after finishing the first. The moment she swallowed, she opened her mouth to sink her fangs on the meat she had in hand.
The generous amount of spices tingled on her tongue.
So distracted she was by the food, she only caught the tail end of Edmund’s voice.
“... well,” was the only word Lenore heard. She turned her head toward him, another piece of beef jerky hanging out of her mouth before she took hold of it and pulled it out.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, scoot forward. I’m getting on as well.” Edmund placed one hand behind her. “You can keep on enjoying your little feast afterwards.”
“What? Why?” Lenore asked, taken aback. Her brows furrowed in confusion. “Are you tired as well?” She highly doubted it, but couldn’t think of any other reason why.
“No, of course not. But you are. Another slip and you’ll not only cost us time to get back home, but you could fall off into somewhere less wonderful than a pond.”
Lenore went quiet, suddenly feeling very awkward and very self-conscious.
And she hated how she felt that way at all.
She inwardly begged her legs to feel like new again, for her own body to instantly recover, and to endure the final leg of the journey.
Alas, the painful muscle twitches when she shifted in the saddle said otherwise.
Even if she tried to ignore the aches, the fog of exhaustion swarmed her.
“Couldn’t Brynn help maneuver the kirin for me instead?” Lenore suggested, as she looked around to see where the other woman was. Brynn was a few feet ahead, already shifted into her wolf form. Brynn padded toward the two, her ears flicking downward when she began to explain apologetically.
“I’m sorry Lenore, I get the discomfort. But realistically speaking, Edmund would be the right choice. He’s better with a kirin than me.”
Lenore squirmed in her saddle. “Alright then.” She scooted as close as she could to the front of the saddle, keeping her eyes ahead of her. She bit her lip, hoping it was enough to stop the heat from rising to her face. “Is that enough room for you?”
“It’s enough,” Edmund muttered. Lenore felt the shift in weight as Edmund hoisted himself up onto the kirin, causing the creature to snort and adjust to the difference.
His arms surrounded Lenore on each side as he took hold of the reins.
With a flick of his wrists, the kirin lurched forward into a steady pace that easily moved through the undergrowth.
Brynn was already ahead while they followed behind.
It was those little details that Lenore kept her mind on to prevent herself from being too aware of the additional passenger right behind her.
Her back was stiffly straight and her arms pressed close to her sides to keep herself contained in her own invisible box.
Maybe it was better if she had fallen into the pond and drowned. The unbearable awkwardness was palpable between them. Not a single word was exchanged, and every passing minute dragged ever so slowly. Lenore was certain this was the longest she had kept herself completely still.
Her eyes strained to see if she could find Brynn in the forest ahead, hoping she would come back to do a brief check-in.
To her disappointment, Brynn was far ahead, and with no clear intent of returning anytime soon.
Lenore’s eyes darted between the dark bluish-grey cuffs of Edmund’s coat.
It looked like she was stuck with him alone, for who knows how long.
For another ten, perhaps fifteen minutes, the silence continued.
Even small talk is better than this, Lenore thought. Her hands grew sweaty as she worked up the confidence to break the ice first between them.
“Um...” Lenore quietly peeped up, her voice small as she braced herself for the potential conversation. “So, how long do we have until we get to Lunavie?” She noticed Edmund’s gloved hands tighten their grasp on the reins.
“Stay quiet.”
That was not the response she expected. Lenore’s face flushed red, taking offense at his curt and rude response.
She opened her mouth to shoot him a retort. “I was just—”
“It’s not safe,” Edmund hissed. He growled sharply, inciting the kirin to pick up the pace.
Lenore held back a pained groan as her body jostled in the saddle.
She looked up behind her, catching sight of Edmund’s steely gaze that was focused on the depths of the forest beyond them. It was unnaturally quiet.
His next few words sent chills down her spine.
“We’re being watched.”