They’d chosen a larger town near the bustling trade city of Blanche to hide for the time being. It wasn’t ideal, but it was too dangerous near the border. The war between the two kingdoms caused tension to be higher than ever, and raids were frequentlymade on both sides. It would have been easier to hide along the border, but the risk of capture was too high.
She once again tugged on her hood, dread crawling along her spine. While their current employer didn’t hate humans, he certainly didn’t want anyone to know he was employing them, especially with the current war between their nations. Dahlia had practically begged for work and a place to sleep. The greedy giant knew they were desperate, so he’d made her a deal she couldn’t refuse.
A bed, food, and warmth for her work and discretion.
She glanced over her shoulder at the back door to the inn, and her back twinged. Being hunched over dirty pots for twelve hours a day was backbreaking, but she didn’t complain. It kept Lia busy and tired enough that she could fall asleep at night instead of reliving her mistakes over and over. Although that led to other problems like... the nightmares. She couldn’t shake Neve’s face from her mind.
Run, he’d said.
The familiar feeling of panic crawled up her throat, and she tugged on the cowl of her cloak, feeling like she couldn’t catch her breath.
Not now. Think of something else.
Dahlia tried to control her breathing and focused instead on the pain in her lower back. It helped her ground herself in the moment. She placed both hands at her waist and arched backward, stretching as the muscles twinged with the movement.
Her pulse slowed as she stretched, her breathing finally under control.
The cold air nipped at her bare hands, and she shoved them quickly back in her pockets before stamping her booted feet. It was time to move. Her break would be over soon, and she’d have to return to her self-made prison. She’d done many things forwages over the years but had managed to never be a dishwasher. She despised the unforgiving work that never seemed to end.
Be thankful.
Dahlia strolled along the laneway making sure to keep out of the way. Most frost giants paid her no attention. Everyone was bundled up at this time of the year, and she could pass for a giant child as long as she kept her hood up. Plus, humans rarely made it this deep into Loriia.
She reached the busy town square as her toes began to numb. Scents of freshly baked goods hovered in the air, causing her mouth to water. What she wouldn’t give for a pastry. It was a silly thing to miss sugar when her life was in the state it was, and yet, Lia couldn’t help it. She watched as well-off Loriians moved between beautifully decorated stores, purchasing luxurious baubles. She’d never known what it was like to have ease until...him.
Thinking his name caused too much pain.
Lia hadn’t thought she’d grown accustomed to the luxuries of the palace, but surprisingly, she missed it. She missedhim.Loved him even. It was easy to admit now that he was gone. A secret shame of hers. In what world could a king love a bard?
Stop it. You have your life. Your brother is safe.
Abrother who was barely speaking to her these days. Cosmos hadn’t know his mother was still alive until the Giver had dragged him to their mum’s home. Losing her all over again cut deeply and he needed someone to blame. That person was Dahlia. It was okay. She could bear it if it kept him from giving into despair.
Shaking herself out of her melancholy thoughts, she gave the whimsical town square one last look. It was time to go back. At least she’d gotten some air and had been able to stretch her muscles. There was much to be thankful for.
A poster caught her eye in the window of the cobbler.
Foreboding filled her chest as she drew closer.
A familiar face was sketched on the poster.
Her own.
Lia’s stomach bottomed out.
It was her, Dahlia, plain as day. She squinted at the writing and stepped closer.
There wasn’t much information other than that she was wanted by the crown and a description of her. She stifled her gasp when it listed off the mottled colors of her legs. She fought not to tug on her dress. There was only one person who knew about her legs.
No. He was dead.
Lia swallowed hard, trying to make sense of the information.
Think.
Jekket was a spy for the Giver. He knew about her legs.
Dahlia had been waiting for something like this to happen. She shouldn’t be surprised that it had. It was only a matter of time before the hunt for her escalated.
