Sebastian and I sit in complete silence. I barely dare to breathe.
One of the guards walks directly over our hiding place, his shadow casting over the cracks in the floorboards.
My pulse thunders in my ears.
“Why do you have three horses?” a guard asks. “Seems like a lot for one person.”
“I enjoy riding,” Julienne tells him. “The one is quite old now and out to pasture. The other two I ride for pleasure. It’s peaceful out here, you know. Not much else to do for an old woman like me.”
A pause. Then the sound of a pot lid being lifted.
“Why is there so much food for one person?” The voice comes from near the hearth, directly above us.
“I only just started eating,” Julienne replies. “I have a healthy appetite. I’d planned on eating the rest tomorrow for breakfast and perhaps for lunch as well. Why cook several times when you only have to cook once?”
One of them makes a noise of agreement.
“I’m hungry,” the guard says. There’s a note of complaint in his voice. “I’ve spent a long time looking for the prisoners,” he grumbles. “I’m sure they’re long gone.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” one of the others says.
“I would be long gone,” a third grumbles.
“Who escaped?” Julienne asks.
“The Shadowfae King and the witch who helped him.”
“The king?” Julienne gasps. “I thought he was dead. I don’t understand.”
“He wasn’t dead, just hiding like a coward. Now he’s back,” the guard says. “He appeared right in the middle of a performance at the court. He had the marking and everything. Looks exactly like Sebastian…but…who knows.”
“Kakara’s cat,” Julienne breathes. “The king himself. Returned after all this time.”
“That’s right. And he’s dangerous. He used dark magic against our guards. Killed thirteen of them. A bad omen, for sure. He also ran one of our captains through. Poor Lord Tryfon could have died. He lost so much blood. All so that Sebastian the coward could escape.”
As he talks, Sebastian sighs, looking down at his lap before looking back up.
“If you see the once king, you need to run and hide. He is a killer of the worst kind,” the guard continues.
Sebastian stiffens.
“Are you certain you haven’t seen anyone?” the authoritative voice asks again.
“I would have told you if I had,” Julienne tells them. “I’m just living my life out here, trying to avoid trouble. If I’d seen the escaped king, you’d be the first to know. Especially one so dangerous.” She sounds afraid.
I practically hold my breath.
“Can we stay a short while?” one of the guards asks. “That stew smells good.”
“Oh,” Julienne says. “Well, I suppose—”
“We’ve been out here for hours,” another guard adds. “We’re exhausted. Just a quick meal, then we’ll be on our way.”
Hours is a gross exaggeration.
“Of course. Please, sit. Let me get you some bowls. I would be happy to share with men doing such good work. You keep us safe.”
There is the sound of chairs scraping against the floor and the clinking of dishes.
