Twisting in the saddle, I watched the trees behind us, searching for signs the search party had seen us. My gaze swept over Eleos, and I noticed him pull out his journal and flip through the pages, occasionally glancing up to guide his horse.
Swallowing, I looked down. He was acting perfectly normal, like nothing was wrong. The knife in my heart twisted deeper.
“Hey,” Seth pulled his horse along mine. “I got something for you.”
“Where?” I asked. “In Therapne?”
“Mhm.” He leaned over, rifling through his saddlebags. “Well, I stole it.” Flipping the bags closed, he offered me a bundle of cloth.
Keeping one hand firmly on the saddle, I took the strange bundle of brown fabric. “Why does this worry me?”
“It’s pants.”
Flicking my wrist, I shook out the fabric. Sure enough, itwaspants: plain leggings someone might wear under robes.
Realization dawned on me. “Did yousteala priest’s pants?”
“Yes,” Seth admitted. “I took it from his wardrobe. They detained us in someone’s quarters.”
Percy rode up to Seth’s other side. “Isthatwhat you were rifling around for?”
“She needed pants.” Seth shrugged. “I found some.”
Laughing, I rolled them back up and stuffed them into my bags. “How fitting, for my first pair to be filched from a priest.”
Seth grinned at me with a radiant, mischievous smile. Rubbing his nose, Percy chuckled with me. For the first time, I felt a sense of camaraderie, like I was among people I could trust.
With friends, if not anything more.
“Thanks, Seth.” I shook my head.
“Anything for you, princess.” Taking my hand, he gingerly kissed it and winked at me.
His hand lingered on mine, thumb caressing my palm. I glanced down, reminding myself I knew nothing. If I had mistaken Eleos’ intentions, I couldn’t imagine how wrong I was about Seth.
Dropping my hand, Seth turned to Percy. Focusing on the path ahead, I dragged in a long breath.
We were nearly at the end.
24
Chapter 24
The trip to Cynthus had been exhausting. We hardly stopped to rest, riding well into the night and quickly packing up camp whenever we thought someone drew near. Sleep was scarce, and our food rations had dwindled. Moods had gradually soured until we spoke to one another only when absolutely necessary.
Worn down, I ran a hand across my eyes, hoping to scrub the exhaustion from my body. I had important work to do tonight.
Seth and I were to approach Cynthus’s outskirts in the thick of night, leaving the others behind in an overgrown copse. My feet protested the walk ahead of me as I emerged from the trees.
Leaves rustled behind us, and Seth grabbed the hilt of his dagger. Percy emerged from the wood line, carrying his lute case. “Wait,” He called, catching up. “Let me come with you. My magic is suited for quick escapes.”
Raising an eyebrow, Seth released his blade. “I suppose it’s been a while since you’ve had a chance to perform.”
“I’m not following you just to perform,” Percy sounded exhausted. “But. . . it would be nice.”
“You can come,” Seth pushed Percy’s hat down over his eyes. “Just don’t get seen.”
Grinning, Percy fell into step with me. “Which tavern are we going to?”
