I almost point out Aurora, myself, Evander, everything else that I don’t know but I’ve no doubt is evidence to the contrary. The words are so close to escaping. But I somehow manage to hold them back and continue playing nicely.
Conri settles at my back. I stay alert. Waiting. But his breathing slows and steadies. It’s even and deep. He actually fell asleep.
I release a slow sigh, my muscles easing their tension. I did it. I somehow actually managed to thwart him and his charm. It’s such a small thing…but it feels like a monumental triumph.
That being said, relaxing enough to sleep is a completely different story altogether.
Morning breaks notwith the cry of birds, but a howl. I jolt upright, startled. My heart hammers in my chest.
Conri roars with laughter. “Faelyn, you are a delight, even when you steal all the blankets.” So I have; they’re on the floor,thrown off by my movement. “There is nothing to worry for. It is just the pack alpha alerting everyone that today is a day to move.”
“I see.” I place my hand on my chest, as if trying to force my heartbeat to slow.
“Don’t be afraid; we are surrounded by my most loyal knights—men and women who would die for me. You have nothing to worry about ever again. I will be responsible for you forevermore.”
“Thank you. It is truly a relief,” I say and force a slight smile. He intends it to be reassuring…but all I hear is that I am surrounded by people loyal to him. People who will follow his every command.Save for one man. “How long will it take us to get to the old wood where the great wolf spirit lives?”
“We will cross the Lykin Plains to Den. On the way, we’ll gather a few of the other packs that roam these lands so they will bear witness to our union. Gualla is our halfway point—the lykin’s largest city. After resting there and resupplying, we’ll continue to Den. In the grove there is where we will say our vows before the altar of the great wolf spirit and…” He trails a finger up my spine as the words trail off. “…we will consummate our union for all to see.”
“And this journey will take us…days? Weeks?”
“Hasty, are we?”
“Can you blame me?” I glance over my shoulder with a slight smile. “I will become the queen of the lykin. It is an honor I look forward to.”
“I promise, I will not keep you waiting long.” He sits and kisses my temple, holding the other side of my head as he does. Every movement seems to immobilize me, reminding me that I am completely in his hands and control. “You shall be my bride before the seasons change.”
Before the seasons change… It is nearly midsummer. If he is basing his timing off the autumnal solstice, then I should have nearly three months.
But Conri said “before” the seasons change. Does that mean it’s sooner than that? I can’t keep pressing the matter, so I sit and stew until he bids his farewells. After he’s gone, I make a slow count to thirty. Pacing with every second. And then I collect my things, throw my cape over my shoulders, race to the tent opening, and push out the tent flap just enough to catch a glimpse on the other side.
Evander is there.
“Have you been there all night?” I ask. His eyes turn to mine and I’m reminded of every fantasy I had to leverage of him to keep my mind clear against Conri last night. Who would’ve thought that the only way I could find to ward against the wolf king’s charm is fantasizing about his sworn knight?
“I slept. Bardulf took the middle night position,” Evander answers.
“I hear we’re moving.” I take the lead, striding out of the tent.
He gives me a curious look, but falls into step beside me. “Yes, another three days of running until we get to the next pack. Likely a week to the pack after. Then a few days to Gualla. After that, two weeks to Den. Depending on the pace Conri wants to set and if he wants to go to every pack personally.”
There’s almost a month of traveling there, plus whatever time we spend in Gualla. Then if we’re in Den for a while to prepare for the ceremony…maybe I have two full months?
We come to a stop before Aurora’s tent. Luckily they haven’t started breaking it down yet.
“A moment.” I excuse myself and enter.
Aurora is seated on her cot, pleasantly surprised to see me. But worry has her brows upturning slightly in the middle. “How did last night go?”
“It was all right,” I say, taking my seat next to her, just as I did last night. “Let me rephrase. It was horrible being next to him, but I didn’t give in. Though I did kiss him again, just so he wouldn’t be suspicious. But I managed to keep my head about me.”
“A smart play.” A genuine smile cracks her lips. “I’m relieved to hear our plan worked.”
“Me too.” I take her hands in mine and give them a squeeze.
Aurora’s expression falls with her gaze. “Though, I wish I hadn’t put you in a position where you had to do these things.”
“You didn’t,” I say firmly. I’ll say it a thousand times, if that’s what she needs to hear. And then a thousand times more. “All of this is Conri’s doing; and that’s why we’re going to escape him.” Her head jerks back towards mine, as if she’s surprised I’m still adamant about this. It’s my turn to give her a slight smile.
