“Alive,”her mind screamed.
As if he heard her, his hard gaze turned their way, his silver armor flashing in the dwindling light.
Lia flinched, waiting for the order to seize them, but it never came. His attention just moved over them.
She swallowed back a cry and soaked in every strong line of his body and harsh cut of his face. He was terrifyingly beautiful.
He wasalive.
“Keep moving,” Loshika practically growled.
Dahlia nodded her head and forced her feet to move forward, tearing her gaze from the only man she’d allowed herself to love.
They made it to the merchants, and Loshika procured them a ride.
He’d survived.
The monster that haunted her dreams were alive.
Run, his voice said.
A lone tear dripped down her cheek.
Dahlia did what he asked despite everything inside herself screaming to run toward him.
Chapter Fifteen
Dahlia
Three monthsof hiding in plain sight and no one had found them.
“Another ale!” a frost giant shouted in her direction, lifting his dented mug up into the air and shaking.
Dahlia nodded to him, hustled back to get him a drink, and swept past the old wooden bar that had seen better days. It was clean, well-kept, and had aged nicely, much like the owner, who had a sharp eye and an even sharper tongue. She glanced at Diaz, who sat behind the bar, absently polishing the cup in her hand as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
A small smile curled up Lia’s lips.
No doubt the giantess was eavesdropping.
She turned her attention back to the ale and slowly poured the brew into the silver mug. The hair at the back of her neck stood on end at the feeling of eyes roving over her person. In the last few months, Lia had developed a six sense when it came to the interest and notice of others. Even with the disguise that Loshika had concocted for Dahlia, she never felt safe.
For a moment, she stared at her light blue hands and black lacquered nails. Her focus moved to the silver mug that reflected her blue face and black hair. The old Lia had died with her mother, and Holly the half giantess had been born out of necessity.
Lia shook her head, dispelling the thoughts that threatened to lead her into a dark place. She schooled her expression and sailed to the giant’s table. Dahlia gave him her best smile, set his mug on the table, and took his old one away while sidestepping his groping hand. Lia shook her pointer finger at him, a fake coy smile plastered to her face. The whole table chuckled at the giant’s expense, and her stomach tightened in unease. It was a delicate balance between being overly friendly, which invited more attention, or being so grouchy that one’s actions bothered the patrons.
While being friendly and a little flirtatious led to more coin, Lia didn’t want to garner too much attention or make any new friends. Everyone was a potential enemy. If anyone found out who she was, they’d turn her in immediately. The reward for any information on the missing queen wasn’t something to sneeze at. Her right heel smarted as she made it back behind the bar. Lia reached inside her too-large boot and pulled up the worn sock over her blister at the back of her ankle.
Dahlia grimaced as she picked at the sole of the boot. It was coming apart. Again.
They were two sizes too big and in constant need of repair. Despite the rags she’d stuffed into the toes, the boots still slipped as she took steps. They’d had to trade her fine boots for a place to sleep when they’d arrived in the town of Mizar.
She jerked to a stand when a giant shouted. A vision of her mother filled her mind. The screams she made right before she died. Lia shook her head to dispel the image. Her heart raced, and she tried to calm down as her pulse thundered in her ears.Everything made her jump these days, especially so close to the border between Loriia and Astera. While it was the easiest place to hide, it was the most dangerous.
War waged between the giants and humans.
Another shout cut through the air that made her shoulders lift until they practically reached her ears. She barely managed to smother her glare at the lively group of giants playing cards in the corner. The loser threw his massive purple hands in the air, clearly unhappy at the outcome of the game.
Dahlia slumped onto the tall counter, sweat trickling down the back of her neck.
