Devlen motions for me to follow after him, and I raise my hands in mock surrender. Curious as to where we’re going, I’m pleasantly surprised when he brings me to the once place I have been dying for – the bath suite. “Thank the damn gods,” I murmur.
He gives me a shy smile before closing the door and letting me sink to the floor in peace. I have no interest in seeing myself in the mirror after yesterday’s glimpse, but I wouldn’t blame Caz if he ended up disinfecting every surface I’ve touched. Peeling offthe filthy dirt-crusted tunic and pants, I crawl my way over to the shower and turn the bronzed nozzle to scalding.
The water beats heavily onto my skin, each droplet singeing where it lands, while I unwind my thick knotted curls. The locks spill out around my shoulders as I pull my knees to my chest. Each new cut on my hands and feet sting, the water flushing out the grime, making way for them to heal.
There’s a pulsing in my head that I’ve ignored up until this point, that I’m counting on being cured by a few hours of sleep after I’m done showering.Just a day or so.I tell myself, and raise my wrist, dragging a finger down the faded mark scarred there.
Don’t be dead.I allow myself to think as the exhaustion waves over me.Please, princeling… don’t be dead.
Rorin
By the end of this day, we will finally be in Sabel. We have to be.
This morning started rough when Will and I got into an argument over the transportation arrangements for our hostage. He suggested she ride on the back of his horse.Isuggested she be tied to the back of a horse.
Civility and Will’s stubbornness won out.
Once Bennett took the lead for today, he made sure to sidle up to him, pointedly ignoring me.
For the past several hours, I’ve visualized the diagrams and maps of the City of Sabel, trying to make a route for us to take from memory. The city is enormous — the size of Valen and Oriya combined, at least. Which just begs one question –how the fuck am I going to find her?
She’ll be like a needle in a haystack, unless by a stroke of luck and Marjorie’s meddling, these runes will reactivate, and I’ll get the uncomfortable burning sensation racing through my arm again.
A masochistic beacon pointing straight to her. I’ve no idea if that will happen, but I can hope.
Until then, our first priority will be finding somewhere to stay. Once that’s settled, Max will make contact with Felix and Armond to let them know Obsidian’s brand-new king is still with them.
King.
Well, King Consort technically, but… still, it’s a title I had always wondered if it would be mine. All signs pointed to yes, thanks to my birthright, but my father was never big on following any sort of customary rules. He’d rule forever if he could.
He’s nothing more than a little puppet king, now that Baelor is involved. I think to myself, vicious thoughts towards the princess and our sires linger in the air, and the nape of Pruella’s neck twitches as if she can hear them. I smirk, biting back a laugh that earns me a curious look from Millie.
She and Max have hung back with me, keeping the two of us in check with such proximity to Hadar’s heir.
She called us “liabilities”, something both Max and I resent. But considering how uncomfortable and unsettled my Wield is right now, just by seeing the back of Pruella's head… well, maybe Millie has a point.
The moment the smoke billowing from the busy city crested over the horizon, I thought Bennett might slide off his horse and kiss the sand. He was doing well until the city’s metallicarchitecture came into view, and he actuallydidslide off his horse. Thankfully, he didn’t kiss the sand; he only pressed a dramatic hand to his heart and muttered thanks to the gods.
Nighttime was well underway by the time we actually made it behind the city walls, but the nightlife was alive and well. It would seem that despite their doing away with the monarchy and installing a Consulate, there’s no evidence of civil unrest.
Must be nice.My conscience grumbles.What half the realm would do for a peaceful political change.
“There’s no way our five horses are going to fit through these streets.” Will notes.
I look over our group and see that he’s right. Our horses will barely fit through the narrow lanes amidst their self-driving wagons, patrons, and market stands. I nod for Bennett to go ahead and find accommodations for the horses; we’ll have to be on foot while we’re here.
He hops off the back of his horse and hands the reins over to Will before jogging into the fray.
“Do we have a plan?”
“What were you hoping for, Will?” I grit, and Millie gives me a sharp look. Grinding my teeth together, I sigh and look towards him. “No – honestly, I was hoping that Marjorie’s runes would have…”
“Worked?” He finishes for me, and I dip my chin.
I rock back on my heels, not sure what else to say. We descend back into the awkward silence until Bennett appears again, a wide grin on his face. Surprisingly, he’s returned not just with information but a soot-covered companion. “Erm–” Will starts.
“He said he could show us the closest place with stables and empty beds.”
