BY MIDDAY, THEterrain begins to change, long valleys of dried grass giving way to steep hills lined with granite outcroppings. In some spots, the trail is so narrow that we have to ride single file, and at one point, I think we’ll need to dismount and lead the horses through. But these Incendrian horses must be used to the footing, because they step carefully, and we ride on.
It makes travel slow, however, and I can’t escape the prickle on my neck that reminds mesomeoneis on our trail. We’ve gone more than a day without any sign of more Hunters, however, and the tense anticipation among the soldiers seems to be melting away. As we descend into yet another valley, I wonder how far we are from the king’s palace in Lastalorre. It would probably be easier for an assassin to attack while we’re traveling, before we reach a location thick with guards and servants. Then again, I consider how I would approach this assignment. I’m not sure I’d want to risk confronting six soldiers out in the open. A skilled archer could do it from a distance, but we’re all in armor, making that tricky. One failed shot would give a Hunter away.
When we stop at the base of the valley to water the horses, the scent of distant smoke is stronger. I wonder if Incendar always smells like this, or if it’s some effect of the king’s magic baked into the very earth. I lift my gaze to scan the sunlit hills surrounding us. There are timeswhen I can see for miles, but sometimes in these valleys, the line of sight is interrupted by the crest of the next hill. A Hunter would probably struggle to find cover out here, since we all—
“What are you doing?”
The king’s voice interrupts my thoughts, and I blink in the sunlight. I’ve hardly spoken to him since we woke, and my thoughts are still tangled up in the space between finding him on top of Jory—and finding myself curled up against him.
Every time I earn his attention, it sends little sparks through my veins, and I’m still not sure what to do with it. I shrug and keep my focus on the terrain. “Thinking about how I’d kill you,” I say.
He doesn’t take the bait—though I’m beginning to think he never does. He follows my gaze to the hills surrounding us. “How would you?”
“We’re too exposed—but a Hunter would be, too. If it were me, I’d wait for a city, or nightfall, or both. Somewhere I could make an attack without being seen, and without triggering a response.”
“They didn’t attack last night.”
“You posted a sentry—and you fell asleep beside the fire. You weren’t alone.” I don’t mean that the way it sounds, and I have to look away again before warmth crawls up my neck. “There was no easy escape route from the ravine, and anyone following will know we defeated the last Hunters. It would’ve been a risk to attack there.”
He considers this. “We’ll be in Lastalorre before dusk.”
I offer half a shrug. “It’s easy to hide in a city. Out here, a Hunter wouldn’t have many options. I think the greater risk would be in Lastalorre.”
Roman has overheard our conversation, and he leads his horse over. “What are the other options?”
Before I can answer, a sharp sound pierces the air from the east. We freeze.
Jory looks over, her eyes a little wide. “Was that a scream?”
Just as she says it, the sound echoes again. Definitely a scream.
“Mount up,” says Ky. “We’ll check it out.”
But I grab his arm before he can turn for the horse. “Therewasanother option.”
He looks back at me, and as always, I’m startled by the intensity of his gaze, the way he seems to trulyseeme.
“Tell me,” he says.
That scream sounds again, and I realize the scent of smoke is even stronger. I look back at him. “A trap.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Princess
The soldiers hold a different formation as we ride up and out of the valley. I was ready to go galloping over the hill when I heard the scream, but it’s clear that Ky and his men are wary after Asher mentioned a trap. I probably should be, too, but I heard the desperation in that cry. The soldiers hold the pace at a walk, with Charlotte and me in the middle of the group. Ky is to my left, and Asher is to our right. Only the captain has ridden ahead, and he’s waiting at the crest of the hill—likely for some invisible signal from the king.
To the east, smoke curls into the sky, thick and black. When I inhale, I can taste it.
“What’s in that direction?” I say, keeping my voice low, though we’re still not over the hill.
“Not much,” says Ky. “We’re still a good ways from the sea, and you’ve seen the state of my grazing lands.”
Nikko looks back. “There are usually some Suross settlements out this way,” he says in his rough voice.
Callum nods. “I’ve led patrols out here. There aren’t many, but I’ve seen them, too.”
“What are Suross settlements?” I say.
