“…didn’t even see it coming!” another man, Callen I think, exclaimed.
A burst of chuckles branched into more talking. I grasped onto tendrils of conversation.
“…think Samantha will be there?” someone asked.
“As if she wants to see your sorry face again.”
“That wasn’t my fault. It was that other…” More laughter exploded.
Being so close to our destination, they must have finally dropped their guard. It almost sounded like they were having fun. Koerlyn’s men had never acted that way.
“Scouts are out for another check. They should be back within the hour,” the bearded man reported from somewhere close.
“Good. I know we’re close, but tell the men to keep it together. They can relax and enjoy themselves when we arrive at the inn,” Harthon said.
The bearded man echoed his orders, and the chatter instantly stopped. Harthon subtly tightened his grip above my hip.
“We’re here,” he said a few moments later, just as two heavy creaks cut through the air. City gates, most likely.
A soft chorus ofwelcomesandPrinceps Harthonscame from all around us as the horse kept its pace.
“Would you take this bread, Princeps Harthon?” The question emerged above the murmured greetings.
“Keep it for yourself,” he responded, his voice almost…kind. He did the same for the next five people who offered him gifts, earning genuine expressions of gratitude in return.
My village had never welcomed our Princeps in that way. If Harthon didn’t care for a title, I doubted he required such displays. Were they so fearful of him that they were trying to earn his favor?
Sooner than I expected, the voices dimmed, and we came to a stop.
“Don’t remove it yet,” he ordered.
I rolled my eyes beneath the blindfold.
Harthon dismounted, taking his heat with him, and only thendid I realize how chilled the air was here. Cold bit at my skin through the borrowed cloak and worn-down clothing.
Two hands found my ribs and lowered me to my feet with easy strength. I’d hardly hit the ground when I was swept into the air and cradled to a chest.
Harthon’s chest, by the musky scent I’d come to know over the past few hours.
Warmth replaced the cold, and the earthy scent of savory herbed meats filled the air. My mouth watered. It smelled utterlydivine. But Harthon took me away from the food and up what felt like stairs. I heard the whoosh of an opening door, and then I was engulfed by even warmer air.
Harthon set me on my feet. I grasped for balance that wasn’t there and immediately fell into him.
“Stupid blindfold,” I muttered as he gripped my shoulders and steadied me.
A heartbeat later, the fabric was gone, and so were the bindings on my wrists. I found myself face to face with the top of his leather-covered chest.
“You keep blaming the blindfold.”
Was he…making fun of me? I craned my neck to see a faint smirk playing across his lips. It did nothing to soften the sharp planes of his face.
Peering behind him, I ensured we were in private. Then I stepped back so I could better spear him with my eyes. “I assure you, my feet are steady.”
“I have yet to see that for myself.”
Memories of my mortifying fall in Third sent heat crawling up my neck. “You try running with your hands bound behind your back, with legs that can hardly move from riding for days after fighting river rapids and being chased through the woods. Once you’re donewith that, add a blindfold to the mix, and tell me howsteadyyou are.”
He cocked an unimpressed brow. “I’ve killed hordes of skilled men after enduring trials more horrible and trying than you can imagine. Blindfolds and bindings? Those are child’s play.”
