“Stop pouting and walk.” Stryder pushed against my back, moving me farther along through the woods.
“I’m not pouting.”
“Tell that to your bottom lip.”
“You’re not allowed to look at my lips.” In my haste to put distance between us, I tripped over a raised tree root. My footing was questionable on a good day, even when wearing the proper hiking boots. So being in dress shoes and still in my fancy suit from the ball? Yeah, I was a walking disaster.
“Stumble again and I’ll treat you like a child and throw you over my shoulder.”
I stumbled half a beat later.
He sighed. “Gods, boy.”
“Don’t touch me.” I wiggled away from him.
Stryder arched a brow. “Or you’ll do what? Summon your little demon friend to bite me again?”
“Oreo bit you?”
“You don’t have to smile about it.”
“I’m not smiling.” I turned my face the other way, hiding the not-smile. “But if he did bite you, you more than deserved it.”
“Aye,” he softly said. “I reckon I did.”
His accent clicked into place. It reminded me of Rowan’s.
“Are you from Solynia?” I asked.
“I’m from everywhere.” He grabbed my arm and guided me around the hanging vine I’d nearly walked into. “Though many years ago, I did call Solynia home. I’m surprised you know of it.”
An ache filled my chest. “Someone I love used to live there.”
“Someone you love?” He regarded me, his gold eyes a faint glow amongst the shadows. “Is it the same someone who gave you the dagger?”
“How did you know that?”
“Lucky guess.” He faced ahead, saying nothing more.
We continued through the woods. Geography was definitely not my strength, but I knew we were beyond the castle grounds now and somewhere in the king’s forest. I peered up through the branches, trying to see the night sky. All I saw was black. Not a single glimpse of the moon or stars.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, nearly tripping again.
He sighed. “To my ship.”
“Then where? Haran? King Silas hired you, right?”
He kept his gaze forward, saying nothing.
“No need to confirm. I already know the truth. I just don’t know why. Your story was ridiculous, by the way.” I sneered at him. “My mom wasn’t a whore. She was beautiful, giving, and kind. Something you wouldn’t understand. Asshole.”
“Asshole?” He cocked a smile. “You’re too young to have a mouth like that.”
“I’ll be twenty-four in like a month.”
“Is that right?” Stryder lightly flicked my cheek. “You still have a baby face.”
I tried to bite his hand.
