I smile even wider. “Aww, you just said her name. Someone’s getting attached.”
“Okay, don’t lose your mind over it.” He rubs the top of his head with a small smirk.
I step closer, taking his free hand in mine and squeezing it.
“This is really sweet, Thane.” Our eyes connect again. “Thank you.”
He seems coy all of a sudden—gaze drifting, features softening. He’s clearly not a man who receives lots of thank-yous. “Just making sure you’re, you know, okay and everything. We still have a long journey ahead. It won’t get any easier from here.”
“I know.” And yet I’m still committed, albeit terrified. I’m not giving up on Analla. I release his hand, studying the honey loaf again. “Do you think they’ll come back?” I murmur, lifting my head. “The people from the Grim.”
“I don’t know, but I’ve cast a few spells around the inn to protect us. I’ll know if someone approaches.”
“Okay.” I breathe a sigh of mild relief. “Good.”
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Zaira.” His face is serious again, determined. I can tell he means it.
“I sure hope not with all the coin I’m paying you,” I tease.
I expect a laugh, but he only stares at me a moment or two before nodding. “Get some rest,” he murmurs. “I’ll see you at first light.”
“Okay.”
I watch him drift through the hall. He stops at his door and is about to grab the handle, but he pauses. He turns his head, looking in my direction again. Looking atme.
I wave. “Good night.”
He opens his door. “Good night, Zaira.”
When he disappears inside, I close my door and press my back to it. As I look at the honey loaf again, a huge smile sweeps over my face.
I’m not even sure I can eat this with all the butterflies flapping around in my belly.
He went all the way to Winstoft for a single slice of sweet bread—and not just any sweet bread, one of my absolute favorites. He brought it by so he could check on me and see if I was okay. I might as well melt into a puddle of goo because that’s the sweetest thing a man has ever done for me.
I laugh softly as I break off a piece of the loaf and pop it into my mouth.
Maybe the assassin has a heart after all.
Chapter 18
After packing rucksacks with supplies and water, then locking up the inn, the group of us who slept at Kamtaur Inn make our way to a small, rustic village called Winstoft. Apparently Rynthea and Torjack have a cabin outside of this village that their parents built before they were born. Penju owns a hut in the heart of town, and it has been decided by Rynthea that Torjack will stay with him until she returns.
“I wish you’d change your mind, Ryn. I’m sure I’ll be fine if I travel with you—at least during this first part.” Torjack shifts on his hooves as he stands in front of Penju’s hut.
The hut’s roof is swathed in vines and ivy, the exterior a combination of stone and wood painted a light blue. The door has been crafted into an arch that I’m not so sure Torjack will be able to squeeze through with his wide frame. Flowers are planted in stub barrels, and clay pots surround the hut, ranging in various colors and sizes.
Despite its washed-out, rustic appearance, Penju’s hut has a charming appeal. It embodies a real home—a place I’m sure he cherishes and respects. I can tell by the swept stone steps, rocking chairs, and hanging lanterns on the short porch.
Rynthea glances sideways. I don’t want her to think I’m eavesdropping, so I look away. Even though I am…unintentionally, of course. She told us earlier to wait at the end of Penju’s walkway, but I can still hear pretty well from here.
Not too far away, Algar stands in front of a merchant stand, buying fruit, jerky, and nuts. Zephra rests on his shoulder, eyeballing all the food.
Thane is a few feet away from me, leaning against the wall of a cobblestone building with his mask in place and his arms folded. He remains vigilant as he keeps watch of our surroundings. I don’t think he has very much to worry about in Winstoft. There are a few mortals, but most dwellers here are peaceful beastials. Pearl is right behind him, drinking from a bucket of water he’s collected for her from the village well.
“We agreed. You’ll stay with Penju where it’s safe,” I hear Rynthea say to Torjack. “No one should come for you here. And if I don’t like what I find out about our odds, I’ll be back soon anyway.”
I bite into a juicy white snow fruit, focusing on the chipped statue of a beastial in a combat uniform in the center of the village.
