“We need to remain with her at all times.”
Lorant slanted a look at Surren, who twitched. “Iwill watch out for her.”
“Oh, yes, of course, Lord Lorant.” Surren dipped forward in a bow. “We’ll…wait here.” He frowned my way.
“I’m armed,” I said in a breezy tone, tapping the hilts of my blades. “I’ll be safe with Lord Lorant.”
Surren reluctantly nodded.
I swept past him, keeping pace with Lorant. We rounded a corner and took the next hall, arriving at the top of the stairs.
“Where, exactly, are we going?” I asked.
“When we leave the castle, keep your blades handy.”
I lifted one eyebrow as we started down the stairs. “Are you expecting an attack?”
“I’ll explain elsewhere.” He tapped his fingertip on my lips, sealing them before giving me a smirk.
I pinched mine closed, nodding.
“I do love it when you obey me, Wildfire.”
“Don’t get too used to it.”
His mouth twitched, but he didn’t say anything else as we made our way to the foyer and stepped out through the front doors.
We strode down the long drive leading to the road winding up from the city, leaving the castle behind.
“Why not flit there?” I asked.
“I need to walk.”
Stomp, that is. Was my snarly night guy irritated with me? I didn’t tease him about it, though I was sorely tempted.
Our boots scraped on the stone road flanked by dense woods. The night was alive with distant cries of birds, their shrieks echoing through the thick canopy on either side. Cool night air swirled around us, and as we passed, sticks snapped and thuds rang out from creatures bolting in the opposite direction.
“I hid deep in that side of the woods, you know,” I said, gesturing to our right.
I could feel the heat of his irritation pouring off his skin. “So close to the castle?”
“I sensed I’d be safer than, say, wandering past the wall.”
His growl ripped out. “You know what lies beyond the wall.”
Creatures.
“I was fine.”
“I could not find you!”
“That was the point. It was good for me to get away.”
He snarled. “Don’t do that again. Ever.”
“If I need space, I will take it.”Icould be just as stubborn.
Stopping, he didn’t turn my way. He clenched his hands to fists. Released them. Then to fists again before he started walking, saying nothing.
