She nodded.
“Reever is an elite fighter. He saved my ass in the first challenge,” Teddy said, taking one last glance in the direction the hunters had led the mercenary’s body.
Stella took a bracing breath. “Then we will have to be better.”
She kicked her horse into a gallop and raced forward as if speed alone could leave her doubts behind.
22
TEDDY
Far below the hill where Stella and Teddy sat watching, the lanterns outside of the Muddled Mind Bar and Boarding House swung in the evening breeze. The heat and humidity were less oppressive so far north, and a chill crept into the night air.
Stella picked up a few more loose pine needles from the forest floor and began to braid them into the string she’d been working on to pass the time. “We’ve been watching for an hour. If someone was waiting to murder us outright, we would have spotted them by now. Besides, we were far enough ahead that we’re probably just giving everyone a chance to catch up by waiting.”
“There could still be assassins,” Teddy whispered.
“We only have a week. Not taking advantage of the lead was a mistake,” Stella argued.
Teddy tipped his head back and squeezed his eyes shut. Gods, this woman was so impatient. “We were attacked the other night, or do you not remember me saving you?”
Stella stood, stretching her legs. “Well, I’m going to get a drink, a map, and a room. You can suit yourself out here.”
Teddy stared at her in the dusk light. “We are not staying at the Muddled Mind.”
“Then where are we—” Recognition tore over her face. “Absolutely not. I’m not sleeping on the forest floor a second night in a row when I don’t have to. We’ll be just as likely to be eaten by some wild animal as we will to be attacked by our competition.”
She turned and untied Shark from the tree behind them and led the horse down to the crossroad stables.
Teddy watched her from a distance for a few minutes. Then, he groaned and rose to his feet, untied Poker, and led the horse to the stables.
The stable hand grinned at him, taking Poker’s reins and holding out an expectant hand. “Good evening. Your lady said you would handle the boarding payment for the evening.”
Teddy laughed in disbelief and handed over enough coin for both of them. It was almost endearing the way she knew he would follow her.
As he approached the front door, the muffled music grew louder. He took a long look down the trail they’d come from, then at the few patrons talking in hushed tones and smoking, and finally pressed through the front door.
It was like stepping into another world. Outside, it was quiet and peaceful, but inside, a fiddler played loudly as a bard sang a lewd drinking song.
Teddy was greeted by a woman with pale, freckled skin, neatly styled black hair, and eyes so blue they looked almost violet. Teddy was not up on fashion, but he could recognize that her stylish purple silk dress didn’t belong in a country rest stop. It was cut like all the finest gowns at court, with jeweled embellishments and golden embroidery. She looked about ten years older than him, but there was something uncanny about her eyes and the simmering, ancient-feeling pulse of magic coming off of her.
Stella stopped short beside him, staring at the woman as if sensing the same.
The woman smiled, and the skin around her eyes crinkled. “Welcome to the Muddled Mind Bar and Boarding House. What can I do for you, travelers?”
“You work here?” Stella asked.
The woman nodded. “I work where I want.”
“You’re a witch,” Stella said. “But you’re also more.”
“And so are you, dear. My name is Skylar—now, what can I do for you?” the woman said.
Stella took a wary look around the boisterous bar as if finally second-guessing her idiotic plan to storm in here. “We’re looking for a meal and two rooms for the night,” she said finally.
Skylar nodded. “Afraid we only have one room, loves. Quite a lot of you coming and going. But you’re welcome to share and to have a meal. I think you’ll find what you’re looking for at the bar. Follow me.”
She zipped into the crush of people without checking that they were following. Stella hurried behind her, shoving drunks out of the way as they crossed the room.
