I smile in agreement.
“Thanks, Cal.”
“Of course,” he pulls me in for a hug, “don’t stress too much on it. You’ll still have me, Holis and Mana with you when we’re there.”
I nod into his chest and pull away, walking back to my bedroll as a heavy tiredness grips every muscle in my body. The flames of the undying fire cackle as I lay down, the warmth comforting my body into sleep faster than ever…
I wake up sometime in the middle of the night with the fire still roaring and the moonslight trying to peek through the thick woods above. My eyes roam to the rest of the camp in a groggy sleep, everyone fast asleep under their blankets with the exception of a small flickering light behind Prince Keane’s tent. There’s shadows moving behind the fabric and what looks to be two figures walking around inside.
I lay my head down and nearly drift back to sleep when one of the figures steps out of the Prince’s tent. The light behind the curtain extinguishes at the very same moment, though there’s no mistaking the luxurious brown robes that now stride in my direction. I smile in my half sleep and watch as another figure steps out of the tent, feeling two sets of eyes land on me from afar just as I close my own.
I’m not sure if it’s part of my dream as I drift back to sleep, but I swear I feel the brush of the forest grass moving out from the earth under me. The blades gently skim across my arm and move in a comforting but almost timid embrace, traveling up my shoulder before they find their own resting place against my cheek.
“You’ll be pleased to know that Golem and I had a chat last night,” Prince Keane brings his horse to a walk besides Millie.
Holis gives me a small smile before kicking his own horse into a trot, joining the rest of the group up front as he leaves the two of us alone in the back.
“I saw,” I nod in admittance.
“You saw?”
I instinctively reach to the strap across my chest and let my hand fall to the bag at my hip.
“I saw Golem leave your tent last night.”
The Prince’s eyes flick to the back of the blonde head riding in front of us.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“All is well then?” I ignore the comment, also looking towards Alanna.
“All is well,” he turns to me with a nod, “there remains no animosity between Golem and I.”
The jar vibrates under my hand in affirmation, prompting me to give the Prince a genuine smile. “Thank you.”
The Prince nods again, his brown eyes thoughtful as they hold mine.
“You and the big man seemed to have a lively conversation last night.”
I feel my cheeks heat and look away.
“You make him laugh,” he continues casually.
“He thinks I say funny things,” I shake my head.
“Funny things…” he leans forward in amused curiosity, “like what?”
I look around at the thick forest surrounding the road, to the sun barely shining through the heavy canopy above us as it begins its descent. We should be in Gaumond soon now, and the thought of being in his court by the end of the night has me wondering what more I can learn.
“Like how I fully expected to be greeted at court tonight with multiple orgies and sexual proclivities.”
The Prince raises a brow in open surprise before a small smirk starts to play at his lips.
“Would that scare you away, if so?” he grins.
“I think Cal was wondering the same thing,” I laugh.
“And?” he presses.
