She made a great spy, that was for sure.
The girl said something to one of the guards, and as he pulled something from his pocket, she reached for it, but the basket of apples in her arm wobbled, then fell. She let out a sad cry, and the guard immediately dipped down to help her collect them. The other guard was transfixed by the girl’s cleavage as she leaned over to pick up the apples, her skirt pulled tight over a round bottom.
We walked past, completely unseen. I probably could’ve walked up and stabbed the gate guard, and he wouldn’t have taken his eyes off the girl’s ass.
Finally outside the walls, we moved quickly off the road and toward a rocky outcropping. The western gate held the road between Fortaare and Hamor, but we didn’t want to return by any means quite so public. We veered off the path, taking a livestock trail that would lead south across the mountainside, large boulders perched like a child’s marbles on the side.
We were safe for now, but the battle lines had been drawn. The war had come. Now everything was in the hands of fate.
Twelve
Vox
We traveled through the mountains toward Hamor, but halfway down the other side, Hayle was casting worried looks at Avalon. She was more solemn than normal, staring at the back of Zier Tarrin’s head, like she shouldered all the blame for what had happened to him.
“I know that we’re in some kind of time crunch, but I think that Avie needs a moment of peace,” he said softly to Lierick and I, and we all looked ahead at her. Her shoulders were stiff, her face turned down in a frown.
“What do you suggest?” Lierick asked.
“A little past the pass we’d use to head back to Hamor is a hidden mountain lake. I found it back when I was a kid. I’m sure I’m not the only person who knows about it, but it’s difficult enough to get to from anywhere civilized that it’s normally empty. I think perhaps an afternoon of normalcy might be beneficial for us all.”
My whole body felt poised to fight or flee, and I couldn’t remember the last time it had relaxed enough to take a full, deep breath. Maybe Doend? Hayle was right. We all needed this. Besides, Zier was looking a little pale, and he could probably use the break.
“I’m in,” I told Hayle.
Iker shrugged. “There’s a village just down the other side of the mountain I would like to assess. I’ll make my own way back to Hamor.”
Lierick nodded. “Be careful.”
With that, Iker split off and turned east. I should have been curious about how thoroughly they knew the terrain of Ebrus, how long they must have studied us and embedded their spies. I didn’t really care, though; at this point, I had more loyalty to the Second Line than to my own.
Avalon looked back over her shoulder at us, her eyes bouncing between Iker’s retreating form and our small group. “Where’s Iker going?”
“Recon,” Hayle replied, striding toward her. “I want to show you something before we head home to Hamor. A surprise.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you known me long enough to know how I feel about surprises?”
He just grinned at her. “You’ve been the greatest surprise of my life, Avalon Halhed, and I love you. Now, let me treat you like you deserve.” Sweeping her up, he moved quickly down the mountainside like he was part goat. “Last one there has to sleep on the outside tonight.”
I rolled my eyes at his theatrics, but honestly, I didn’t mind sleeping on the outside. Every night meant I either got to have the soft curves of Avalon against my body, or the hard edges of Lierick. We never started that way, of course, but by the time I woke up, I’d be spooned around his back.
The moment between waking and the world crashing in were the greatest moments of my life, the real dream.
I looked over at the man in question. My enemy. My friend. I wanted so much more, but it was doomed. If the Second Line was successful, I’d either have to kill the rest of my family and take the mantle of Baron, or stand down completely. None of myfamily would take my perceived treason well, and even though not one of them could stand against me magically, together they were too dangerous to keep alive.
If the Second Line lost… The idea of losing Lierick was like a dagger to the heart. At least I wouldn’t have to live without him long, because I would swing right along with him, as would Avalon. And probably Hayle.
We needed the Dawn Army on our side.
Lierick’s fingers brushed against the back of my hand as we walked down the rocky path. Eventually, his pinky finger linked with mine. Since Doend, we’d been walking this line between allies and more, much to Hayle’s impatience. The Third Line led with their heart, which made them fierce and unpredictable opponents, but invaluable friends. He honestly couldn’t see the problem with Lierick and I starting a relationship.
We didn’t say anything as the lake came into view. It wasn’t huge, but the water was so clear, it looked like it was barely more than a puddle. Though the giant boulder jutting from the center told me that it was a lot deeper than it appeared.
I gestured toward a large, flat rock. “Let’s put our stuff there.” Lierick nodded, and we climbed over the rocks as Zier stood at the edge of the lake beside Avalon and Hayle. She was grinning wildly, toeing off her dirty boots that were still crusted with shit. We could wash them here, and I’d use my magic to dry them instantly. If it seemed sacrilegious to sully the lake with shit, but worse still to walk around in refuse.
Hayle must have agreed, because he picked up Avalon and tossed her into the water with a screech. He laughed as he dived in after her, and she slapped at his chest as he swam up, grabbing her up in his arms again.
“The love between them is something, isn’t it?” I looked over to see Zier had appeared beside us.
