“Take us west of town,” Vade said, flashing coin in the man’s face.
A huge gap-toothed grin greeted the fae. “For that much, I’ll take you to the king himself.”
Vade slapped the money in his dirty palm, and the dwarf marveled at the silver, turning it over in his purple-grey hand. “Hop in,” he said, motioning to the cart.
Orelia climbed into the back of the cart and took the bench half occupied with crates of onions while Vade took the seat across from her next to turnips and other vegetables she couldn’t make out in the dark.
Vade dropped the cloth over the back of the cart just as a handful of Watchers rushed down the street, the gold rings around their horns catching the corner light. They blew past them, and only when their deep shouts ceased did Orelia take a full breath.
The rickety cart rolled across the cobblestones as the driver took them out of Ricaboro. She could only make out Vade’s outline when they passed a street lantern, but even in the darkness, she knew he was staring right at her. His wrath filled the cramped space.
“Thank you for—”
“Don’t talk to me right now, Orelia.”
She hadn’t heard that much disdain in his voice before, even when he’d choked her in the river. “Vade—”
“What did I just fucking say?” The light of another lantern illuminated half his face, his brow furrowed so tightly she could barelysee his eye.
They traveled in silence until the lights of the city disappeared and the cobblestones faded into dirt. When the cart came to a halt, Vade tossed the man an extra coin for his discretion.
The dwarf turned his donkey back toward the city, whistling as he went. He’d dropped them off high on a hill lit by the silver light of the moon. The lights of Ricaboro were flickering dots in the distance, and even though she knew it was improbable, Orelia swore she could still hear the music.
If not for the spell, Vade probably would have tossed her into the rocky valley below and been done with her. His stone face and pursed lips told her as much. They ventured a minute or so into the woods with Orelia silently following, clutching Bute’s jar.
When he seemed satisfied with the area, Vade threw his pack down. “I’m going to get firewood. If you leave the fucking grass you’re standing on I will tie you to a tree with my shadows and make you sleep standing up, do you hear me?”
“Yes,” she said, shrinking from his tone.
“Good.” He stomped off, axe in hand.
Orelia was too afraid to even set up her bedroll. She knew she had screwed up, and in her decision making she’d managed to lose most of the items she’d purchased, and the rest of the money in his purse. At least she still had the necklace, but otherwise, the night was a complete loss.
Vade returned a few minutes later, and only after he had made a fire did she feel comfortable moving. Orelia had just set her pack next to Bute’s jar when Vade stormed toward her.
“From now on, you do everything I say, exactly how I say it. You could have gotten yourself killed tonight, Orelia, and you would have damned us both. What you did was fucking selfish.”
She rubbed her gilded arm. “I know I shouldn’t have left, but I only had one night there, and you were clearly occupied so I knew if I asked you to show me around that you’d say no.”
“You’re right. I would have,” he seethed.
“I’ve never been anywhere, Vade! I couldn’t just stay at the inn. I shouldn’t have left the main road, I know that, but I—”
“I know you took my money, by the way. Hope it was well spent, considering whatever you bought is back at the Pony.” His hardened eyes made her shudder.
“I’m sorry, Vade. Truly.”
He yanked the tie from his hair and raked a hand through the wavy locks. Vade paced around the fire, rubbing his jaw like he was debating what to yell at her about next.
“How did you find me?” she asked softly.
“I went to celebrate my kill with a nice, good fuck, and who do I happen to see? You being dragged down the hall by two of Doyle’s dogs dressed like a whore.”
“I really thought I could get in and out without anyone noticing.”
He let out a humorless laugh before taking a long sip from his waterskin.
When Orelia realized what he’d said about the hallway, she frowned. “Hang on. If you saw me in the hall, then you saw mebeforethey painted me. Why didn’t you get me out then?”
