“The woman has enough magic to blast a man backwards, but she can’t dispose of some bodies? Oh, don’t worry about it, your buddy Geoff’s got it covered.” The muttering continued until the bodies were blazing on a makeshift pyre. The three walked their way back to their horses and rode hard to escape the smell of burning flesh.
The travel party of now five people seemed to slow following the skirmish in the clearing. Zane and the twins made good time by pushing their horses to the limit and taking minimal breaks. Their trail turned towards the east, leading Zane to believe they were heading toward the ancient library. Giddiness saturated his soul at the thought of visiting the forgotten wonder. Books had always been his safe haven. Uther had valued physical strength over education for his son, but his tender-hearted mother had insisted on the finest tutors and fostered Zane’s love of reading. Knowledge was its own kind of weapon, and one he used to his advantage often. Now that he was older and understood the sinister way his father operated, he surmised the emperor didn’t want a son who was stronger than him. In mentalorphysical strength. It was probably why his father beat him down so often. That way, Uther maintained his superiority and kept Zane from realizing his true potential. But the blinders were off now, and he sent a silent thank you to his mother for making sure he kept up with his studies.
Zane followed the trail to an inn in a small, snow-dusted town. They arrived after midnight, thrilled to find Athusan horses in the stables. They had caught up at last. Even Ryunn was excited to see his brother, Pryn, whinnying and nibbling on the other black stallion’s mane. The twins volunteered to rub down the horses and get them fed while Zane would go inside to pay for rooms.
Being inside instantly warmed Zane’s bones after being outside for well over a week. The sweet scent of apples and cinnamon curled into his nose, and he wanted to sink into a bath made of the same aroma. Gods, bathing sounded delightful at the moment.
A plump, middle-aged woman wearing an apron stood behind a wooden bar. She looked up as he stomped the snow off his boots at the entryway.
“Oh, I’m sorry, but we don’t have any vacancy,” she said.
Zane smiled at her, inwardly disappointed he wouldn’t be sleeping in a bed. “That’s okay. If you don’t mind me and my two friends sleeping in the stables?”
“That would be fine,” she said. “Let me get you something warm to fill your belly before you turn in for the night.”
“Much appreciated, ma’am.” She hurried to the kitchens, leaving Zane eagerly awaiting a hot meal. Boot steps sounded on the stairs behind him, and then the scent of rum and oranges wended through his nose, overpowering the apples. Zane’s heart rate increased, the scent triggering excitement and trepidation. Turning, time seemed to slow, and then there was Talon, whole, alive, and uninjured, with his long, red hair dancing around his face—a face which was usually lit up with laughter, but at the moment was staring raptly at Zane, his shock clear. His expression changed to wariness, and Talon drew his sword, pointing it at Zane’s chest. He raised his hands slowly in a sign of surrender. The keeper’s wife returned with three bowls of steaming soup that smelled absolutely delicious while Talon was drawing his weapon.
“Young man, you will not spill blood in this establishment!”
“It’s okay,” Zane said, keeping his eyes glued to Tal. “We just need to talk and this will be sorted.”
“Well, take it outside, you rapscallions. This is a respectable business.”
Talon motioned Zane towards the door with the tip of his sword. The easy rapport they had in Huton and on the way back to Athusia was hovering betweenthem, and Zane hoped he hadn’t lost his friend’s trust completely. Friend…that was a shocking revelation—he considered Talon a friend. They walked outside as a light amount of snow fell from the dark night sky. Zane’s breath bloomed out into the cold air. Talon continued to keep his sword level with Zane’s heart.
“What are you doing here?” Talon asked sharply. “Did your father send you?”
“Technically, yes,” Zane said. Then hurried to add, “But I was going to come, regardless.”
“Why?”
“I have a lot of questions for Iyana. And I’m fairly certain Uther is planning on killing me.” Funny how information he’d kept from the twins spilled out to Talon within two minutes. Zane saw his resolve wavering. Tal’s gaze flicked over Zane’s shoulder and widened. Crunching in the snow told him Geoff and Gordon were approaching.
“The twins came with you?” he asked quietly. Zane nodded, hands still raised.
“Talon! Good to see you, buddy,” Gordon said, ignoring the blade pointed at the crown prince’s chest. Talon sheathed his sword so the large man could give him a hug. Geoff hugged him next, giving a hearty pat on the back. Zane lowered his hands.
“What are you guys doing here?” Talon asked.
“We came to find you!” Geoff said. “Zane, I mean, the prince—” Zane waved him off “—told us you and Emmeric helped break Iyana out of the dungeon, and that she has magic.”
“How did you know it was us?” Talon asked Zane.
“Who do you think gave all the guards the night off?” Zane raised an eyebrow.
“You knew?”
He shrugged. “I guessed. The day of the festival was when I would have attempted a rescue, so I went off of a hunch and it paid off.” Zane could see the moment Talon decided to trust him again, his blue eyes warming.
“Well, let’s go inside out of the cold. You three can eat your soup and tell how you got here so quickly.”
Zane looked at the twins as they walked back inside. “There are no rooms left, but the innkeeper allowed us use of the stables.”
“You can bunk with me,” Tal said. “It’ll be tight, though. There’s only the one bed and four of us.”
Geoff clapped Zane on the back, sending him stumbling forward. “You go ahead with Talon. Gord and I can sleep in the stables. It’s where he belongs, anyway.”
“Hey!” Gordon protested. Talon and Geoff both chuckled. When they made it back inside, the innkeeper’s wife gave them all a pointed look.
