He rights one of the ears in my hair and bows his head. With a half-hearted smile, he says, “As you wish, my queen.”
I can’t stop the tears from welling in my eyes. Ulric has selflessly sacrificed himself before. He marched with me into battle to save my father and was kidnapped by the Allaji defending Basecamp. Every scrape, bruise, and lash mark on his body is the result of him protecting others. He deserves to go home and have a pint of his favorite ale with his friends. I wrap my arms around his waist and press my cheek to his chest. If I do anything tonight, it will be making sure he stows away on a ship.
When the sun disappears from the sky, Ulric and I step out of my room. The hallway is lit in the amber glow of candles with the soft hum of conversations happening closer to the dining room. We walk side by side, trying to appear casual. I grip the hilt of the blade strapped to my leg through the pocket of my coat, using the slight security I find in it to calm my nerves. Every muscle in my body wants to run bolt for the lift and get the fuck out of here. Thankfully, Ulric sets a steady pace, and I don’t give in to my urges.
We weave through a maze of corridors I’ve never seen before. The woven rugs lining the floor do little to hide the sounds of our steps. It feels like every creak of wood is yelling the escape plan to our captors. The few Allaji we pass set me on edge, glaring at us. I watch my feet to avoid making eye contact, too afraid they’ll see what we’re up to written on my face.
At the juncture of the hallway, we take a right and Ashavee falls in step with us. We don’t speak, settling for a quick nod of acknowledgement before returning our focus to what lies ahead.
Ulric holds his hand behind him to motion us to stop. He peers around a corner, sucks air in between his teeth, and jerks back. “This is it. Two guards are keeping watch on the lift.”
I run my fingers over the ears on top of my head and say, “I’m ready.”
“You’re not,” Ashavee says, pulling a small glass container from her pocket. “You don’t smell like shifters.”
She pulls the cork from the top and hands the vial to Ulric. He sniffs the clear liquid, shrugs, and tips it onto his fingertip. He dabs it behind his ears and onto his wrists.
I take it from him and also smell the concoction. A mixture of dirty water and body odor triggers my gag reflex. “What is this?”
“Not animal piss,” he answers.
I glance at Ashavee, and she says, “It is a natural oil that felines produce.”
We can use all the help we can get. The oil stinks, but at least it’s not urine. I hold my breath and rub it onto my skin.
Ashavee leans in and takes in the aroma. With a nod of approval, she says, “It’s not perfect, but good enough.” Taking a coal pencil from her pocket, she grips my chin and tilts my face up. “You need a little extra to disguise you. Everyone has seen you in court. Close your eyes.”
I do as she demands, and she sets to work lining my eyes in black. Each stroke of the pencil is hard, leaving greasy marks on my skin. “Hold your heads high and show no signs of submission. Acting cocky is the key to passing as a shifter. No animal wants to submit to another unless they must in order to survive.” She looks Ulric up and down. “Not that you will have any issues with the cocky part.”
“Is that what you think of me?” he asks, already displaying the attitude she knew he could pull off.
“It is. How so much arrogance fits into such a puny frame is beyond me.”
“Arrogance? You think I’m arrogant?” He leans in until his cheek almost brushes hers and deepens his voice. “Give me a chance, pretty hellcat, and I’ll prove that my self-confidence is purely based in truth.”
Her eyes narrow and one side of her full lips curls up. “I’ll pass.”
Ulric snickers, not at all bothered by the way she blew him off.
“If you two are done, can we attempt to get out of here?” I ask, spitting the words in a whisper.
Their gazes dart to me, then back at each other. Like an electric current zaps them, they jump apart. Ashavee runs her palms down her thighs, and Ulric rubs the back of his head.
“Aye, let’s get this done with,” he says.
Ashavee lifts her chin, walks between Ulric and me, and takes our hands. Her hips sway with a sensual saunter as she leads us toward the lift. The guards turn in our direction as we get closer, but she captures their full attention, saying, “Eyes off, gentlemen. These two are with me tonight.”
“Not your normal premium meat, Ash,” says a guard. He rubs the stubble on his jaw while dragging his gaze over Ashavee’s lean form. “You know you don’t have to settle for the bottom of the barrel. I’m willing to show you a good time.”
She slides the lift gate to the side and tugs us in with her. Wrapping her arms around mine and Ulric’s waist, she pulls us into her sides. “It’s not about what you can offer, Ephrin. It’s about what I want to give.” She wiggles her brows as the other guard closes us in the cart. Ashavee reaches around me and pulls the lever on the wall. Gears grind with a continuous click, and the floor shifts as it starts its journey to the ground.
“That was simple and dare I say it… slightly enjoyable,” Ulric says, easing away from Ashavee.
She gives a quick laugh that sounds more like a snort. “My plan wasn’t to bring you joy.”
“All the same, ya did.”
I pull out of her embrace and press my palm to my chest. I’m unsure if it’s our slow descent toward the village or the close encounter with the guards that has my heart pounding. We’re one step closer to freedom, but we haven’t faced the most challenging part of our escape. From my prison in the trees, I know the layout of what lies before us. Especially with an Outlander ship at port, the village will be swarming with those who are hungry, desperate for a pint, and those looking to fuck. It will be impossible for us to go unseen.
