“They won’t soon cross a beast lord, that is for certain,” said Behrvyne.
Pausing, I swept my gaze to all of the warriors spread across the town square. “Thank you, to all of you, for…”
My words stuck in my throat. My heart skipped a beat as I finally took a moment to think of Jessamine and how close I came to losing her.
“I am glad we were here to help,” said Walgar, raising a hand to my shoulder. “We should inform King Gollaya.”
I nodded.
“I will send our sprite to him,” said Walgar. “You go fetch your mate.”
“Thank you.”
“We will meet you back at Jôhl Tundra,” said Bezaliel. “I’ll go with Brohm, Leifkyn, and Dayn to make your delivery.” He tightened his hold on the sack.
“It may be a few days before I return.”
Bezaliel smiled, as did Behrvyne who chuckled as he added, “We wouldn’t expect anything less.”
With that, I turned and jogged down the main road out of Mevia and toward the Borderlands. I had something to say and something to do to Jessamine that I should’ve done long ago.
Chapter 35
JESSAMINE
“It isgood to see you again,” said Haldek, standing in my old room which was connected to the stables behind the tavern. “I was afraid for you when you fled that day.”
“I know you were. I’m sorry I never explained about my family.”
“Doesn’t matter. I knew you were on the run from someone. Just didn’t know I had a royal princess cooking in my kitchen.”
He chuckled, and I laughed with him. It was a good feeling being here, seeing Haldek again. This had been my safe haven for so long.
“Thank you for this.” I lifted the folded nightgown, wool dress, and stockings in my arms. “And the boots.”
They came from the storage trunk he kept, of course. Above the tavern, Haldek had two rooms next to his which he rented to travelers on occasion. Over the years, people have left things behind. He was never one to throw anything away, saying someone would need it one day. He was right.
I actually remembered finding this gown in one of the rooms after a wraith fae couple stayed a week with us. They never returned, so the gown was washed and thrown in the trunk of found things.
“The boots may be too big, but that was all I had.”
“I’m very grateful. Even if they’re too big.”
“Well,” said Haldek, rubbing a hand that was scarred from years of butchering and cooking over hot stoves along the back of his thick neck. “Be sure to eat. I’ll have some hearty porridge for you in the morning.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Haldek.”
He blinked nervously and glanced down at Wolf sleeping soundly next to the cast iron stove that was toasting up the room.
“You’ll be safe tonight with him for company.”
“I will,” I assured him.
With a last nod, he ducked out the door, his horns barely clearing the low entrance before he closed it behind him. I turned the bolt in the lock. Wolf opened his sleepy eyes, checked on me, then closed them again.
I took a moment to survey the room that had once been my sanctuary. Haldek had cleaned it, leaning my metal tub against the far wall out of the way. He’d even made my bed, because I know I’d left it unmade.
I only ever made it on my off days. Haldek had us up and chopping vegetables and baking bread very early in the mornings. Other than that, he’d left everything in its place.
