This man rarely asked for permission for anything in his life, too wild and carefree to restrain from just taking what he wanted and living life to the fullest. But for me, he’d play the role so that I’d feel comfortable.
“You may, Mr. Galakis.” And I played right back.
30
Nicholas
We pushed hard, traveling for two days with infrequent stops. My men were tired, and to be honest, so was I. Reservations had been made at a local inn in the town of Point Hollow, the neighbor to where the Argora Vale residents were settling. Dusk was upon us, casting this quaint village in evening’s softening glow.
Tonight, we would rest and let our horses do the same. Tomorrow morning, with another twenty minutes of travel, we would arrive at the new settlement with seeds and supplies.
Fuck, I missed my wife. Any excitement I had for helping the new residents settle soured when I thought of how much Nora wanted to be here. In those brief pit stops on the way, during those moments between asleep and awake, I swore I could still feel her delicate hand on my chest. Waking up with her was like seeing the most glorious sunrise. No matter how many mornings looked the same, I was perpetually in awe.
Two guards would remain stationed with the horses for the first shift of the night, and the rest of us herded into a local inn.Once my guards’ rooms were organized, I arranged my own with the clerk.
“Your Majesty, I’m so sorry. Here. I forgot to extend these to you upon your arrival.” The clerk fumbled out from behind the desk, holding a collection of tickets in his hands. “Vouchers,” he clarified upon seeing my wrinkled brow.
“That is very kind, thank you, but I assure you, we intend to pay.” I wouldn’t take handouts, especially since that council meeting revealed how hesitant citizens in this town were.
“Please, accept these. They are a gift from the local butcher. We’ve been expecting your arrival for some days now, and it is not often we have the chance to serve royalty.”
I wanted to insist, but the poor graying man, standing no taller than five foot two, had developed a layer of perspiration that told me how nervous he was to even be having this conversation. The vouchers in his hand shook about, and I took pity on him. A fine line lives between the balance of morale and insult.
I accepted the papers. “Thank you very much for your generosity. Please, take note of this come tax season, and we’ll be sure to offset any expenses.”
The man either didn’t hear me, or didn’t care as he continued, “We didn’t know when you’d be arriving this evening, so a meal has already been prepared. You and your men should partake before you slumber for the evening. The butcher would have my head if he knew I didn’t insist you indulge in his fresher product. He said he’d wait up for you. I actually owe him a debt, and this is the best way to pay it off.” The man began indulging me in the personal details of his life as he rambled, “He provided an entire cow for my daughter’s wedding a few weeks ago after the caterer canceled. I started to worry I wouldn’t drum up enough business to offset the payments, but he told me if I could direct the royal convoy to him that my debts would be cleared. He’s convinced you’ll love his food so much he’ll be able to draw up a contractwith the castle. Don’t tell him I told you that, though. He’ll want to earn it on his own merit.” He wiped his sweating palms down the front of his shirt. This butcher must be an intimidating fellow to have this short man so flustered.
We hadn’t eaten since noon, and when I had seen how tired we all were, I dismissed the importance of a full meal. Perhaps filling our bellies before calling it a night would help them rest better. “I’m sure you’re quite right. I will pass these along.”
The man’s smile spread from ear to ear before he shuffled back behind the entry desk. He nervously jotted down something while glancing at the time. Keeping a record in case that overbearing butcher gave him any hassle, no doubt. I’d be sure to tell the butcher how helpful the clerk had been, maybe buy him some good graces.
A community that worked together. An innkeeper and a butcher pairing up when their businesses were vastly different. Something knotted in my chest loosened at the thought. We had been right to pick Solei for the Argora Vale residents. With surrounding communities showcasing their willingness to work together in strenuous times, my confidence bolstered. Nora would be pleased.
I went to my guardsmen’s rooms to tell them about the vouchers, catching them before they slept for the evening. The way their faces lit up at the thought of food made my stomach twist a little. How had I been so careless? Nora would have raked me over the coals for that if she knew I’d sacrificed care for speed.
My men didn’t want to waste any time, and I had to agree. The music my stomach produced could probably be heard throughout the entire block. “You men go ahead. I’m going to let Atticus and Dernsby know about dinner.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” a few said in near perfect unison. The innkeeper instructed which building to head to, and they set off before me. I rounded the inn, greeting my men at the stables.
“Hungry?” I asked with a one-sided smile, knowing what the answer would be. They nodded fervently. “We’ve been honored with a prepared meal. I’ll make sure they set aside your share and tell the clerk to keep them behind the front desk for you.”
They uttered their thanks, and I departed into the main street. The sun had drifted past the horizon line, painting the world in a deep cerulean. No other shops remained open, not a single torch lit on the buildings lining the street. Luckily, the butcher’s shop was located just at the end of the block, the first building on the first street to my left. Can’t miss it, the clerk had said.
Peace settled in my core as I took in the fresh summer evening air. The street had quieted to where it was just me and my footsteps. When was the last time I had visited any of the towns on the outskirts of my kingdom and mingled with the citizens? Maybe Argora Vale residents moving in would give me the kick in the royal pants I needed to become more involved. Nora wouldn’t hesitate, of course. She was probably already planning a trip down here for herself. She might even leave me behind, order me to remain in the castle and tend to aristocratic duties as payback.
Gods, I loved her. My blood thrummed at the mere memory of her kneeled on our bed, waiting for me. I’d gifted her a gold silk nightgown, one whose straps fell off her shoulders with the slightest touch.
The thought of her was distraction enough that I didn’t register the shuffle of other footsteps until it was too late. I turned to spot whoever approached, but the world shook. Before I knew it, my head throbbed with tremendous pressure, and I lay flat on my back, staring up at the darkening sky. A putrid clothcovered my mouth and nose, the burn of the liquid causing my eyes to sting and water immediately.
I moved for my sword, but before I could grasp the hilt, my muscles turned languid. By the time my hand clasped around it, nothing remained solid in the world, and I sank into the cushiony embrace of darkness.
31
Dante
Concentrating had become damn near impossible. Ever since being re-cursed, the beastly wolf side of me lingered just beneath the surface at all times. My human senses heightened to preternatural levels, and if Mira’s scent hadn’t been intoxicating enough, it now mingled with the growing life inside her. Two heartbeats besides my own that drove my instincts to protect at all costs.
That’s why Mira joined when I embarked on a friendly outreach to one of the surrounding villages today. If she had really wanted to stay behind to work with the others in the settlement, I would have let her—though, it would have been maddening. Fighting off my baser self to constantly be on top of her every movement clashed with a vow I’d made a long time ago: never again would she feel trapped.
