His lip curled. “Not exactly? Do I even want to know what that means?”
“It means— I don’t know, Raz,” she said, exasperation and panic clawing at her. “It means everyone is going to know exactly how unqualified I am for this. I have a lot to prove here.”
Razik studied her for another long moment before flipping his book closed and settling back in his chair. “Cethin is an arrogant dick who’s used to getting his way.”
“I’ve gathered that,” she murmured.
“But he’s also intuitive and cunning,” Razik went on. “He wouldn’t have made you his queen if he didn’t think you could handle it. He wouldn’t do that to his people. His loyalty to this kingdom is the only admirable thing about him.”
“Some would consider it a curse,” she mused.
Razik shrugged. “My point is, despite this seeming impulsive and reckless, the fucker always has a reason. He clearly believes you can handle the pressures of being a queen.”
“Obviously not considering it’s in title only,” she said. “Either way, prolonged touching is going to prove how wrong he is.”
“So you start preparing yourself now,” he countered. “Start small. I’ve seen him touch you. Start there.”
As if she hadn’t tried that in the past. But she wasn’t about to bring that up and open herself up for more questions.
“And stop stabbing him. That will help too,” Razik added as an afterthought.
She flipped the male her middle finger as she stood, fingering the dagger beneath her dress with her other hand. Maybe she’d start stabbinghiminstead.
Taking a few steps down the cobbled street, she paused and turned, taking in the dark stone buildings. Fog and mist drifted along the ground, making everything appear darker. Even the shadows felt thicker here. Granted, the sun had dipped below the horizon, but Kailia had the impression the town of Shadowfen had this eerie feel to it even when the sun was high in the sky. It felt like there were eyes on her. She was used to doing the watching. Being the hunter, not the prey, and she definitely felt like prey right now.
“This is Shadowfen?” she asked, drifting closer to a shop. The heavy wooden door was shut tight with a single candle in the window.
“It is,” Cethin answered, keeping a few paces between them. “The fog and mist roll in off the inlet.”
She nodded, turning again and venturing deeper into the town. She understood why everyone was so surprised when she’d announced that this was where she was from. Which begged the question?—
“Why did you have me tell people I was from here?” she asked Cethin, looking up to find dark windows. She hadn’t seen a single person since they’d entered the town twenty minutes ago.
“Shadowfen is known for its dark places and secrets,” Cethin explained. “If an Ash Rider was going to hide anywhere, this was the most likely place.”
“So now I was hiding too?”
“I assume you know your kind is highly sought after. It makes perfect sense if you had been trying to go unnoticed. Which you were,” he added pointedly.
She could see the logic in that.
They were nearing the town center where a well stood atop a small dais. Mist flowed up and over the top of the sides, and she’d just placed her foot on the first step when fingers wrapped around her arm.
She spun, a dagger in hand, but Cethin had already released her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to warn you,” he said, his hand still outstretched and preparing to block her. “But going near the well can summon things.”
Kailia looked over her shoulder, then back at him. “What kinds of things?”
“Things that will need more than arrows to kill,” he replied, motioning for her to come away from the steps.
“They’ve never met my arrows,” she countered, curiosity warring inside her along with the thrill of a challenging hunt.
“Let’s save fighting creatures of old for tomorrow,” Razik said from where he stood a few feet away, arms crossed and watching them. “You know,start small.”
Right.
Start small.
