I quickly explained that my carpet had been stolen, so my journey was delayed, but that I had plans to procure a new one. “I’ll put an order in straight away. It’s just something I didn’t foresee happening, is all.” I wrung my hands but kept my shoulders back, determined to make the most of this. I was about to tell them just that, but the inn’s door opened, snagging everyone’s attention.
Kole stepped outside, his dark hair glinting in the dim sunlight filtering through the thick cloud cover. His broad shoulders brushed against the doorframe, and his sword was once again strapped to his back. The warrior halted in place, being forced to stop since Nym, Jessip, and Felix’s carpet blocked his path.
“Hi, Kole.” Jessip waved in a friendly manner.
The warrior didn’t reply.
Felix turned back to me, barely giving the warrior a passing glance. “Why don’t you join us? We have plenty of room, and four heads are better than three. We can turn your stroke of bad luck into a lucky break.”
“Really?” I perked up even though I knew that if I joined them, problems would arise eventually. If not on which direction to go, then on who would claim the Stone. After all, if we were lucky enough to find it, only one fairy could use its magic, and I doubted they’d let me.
“What’s going on?” Kole’s expression didn’t change, but he surveyed the four of us.
Jessip waved toward me. “Prim’s carpet was stolen during the night, so she’s currently stuck here without transportation, but we’ve offered her a spot on our carpet if she wants to keep hunting the Stone. We have room after all.” She patted the free patch of carpet beside her.
Kole took a step toward me, his tone lowering. “You’re still journeying north? You’re not going home?”
I tried not to be affected by the blatant concern in his voice or how his deep tone rolled right through me, as if on a path straight to my nether region. “Of course, I’m still going north. Or rather, I’d planned to be until someone stole my carpet, but now?—”
“You’re certain it’s gone?” His aura flickered, and he peered inside the shed.
“Yes, definitely. I’ve searched everywhere for it, and it’s not in there. I checked behind the inn too and asked the staff, but no one’s seen it. Someone must have stolen it.”
“Strange stuff must have been going on last night,” Nym chimed in. “We all got a dillemsill about needing to stay indoors. Maybe that’s when the thief took it since they knew nobody would see them.” Nym scratched his head. “Do you know what that was about last night? About why we had to stay inside?”
Kole ignored him and swung toward me again, then nudged the boxes sitting at my feet that I’d laboriously draggeddown the stairs on my own. “You shouldn’t go north, Prim. You should go home.”
His tone was heavy. Adamant. As if he truly cared for my well-being. And I didn’t even want to think about what that was doing to my insides.
However, all three sets of eyebrows on my new friends shot up.
“She shouldn’t?” Felix scowled at the warrior.
“But I have to go north.” I peered up at Kole. “Retreating isn’t an option.”
“Why shouldn’t she go north?” Felix pushed, a wave of suspicion descending over him.
“It’s not safe. That’s why,” Kole replied in a clipped tone.
Nym, Jessip, and Felix all looked in confusion at one another, but Kole’s attention stayed focused on me. “How are you going to transport your supplies without a carpet?” he asked quietly.
“We’ll fit it,” Felix said. “Prim can come with us. And four of us traveling together is safer than three if it truly is dangerous for her.” Felix leaped off the carpet and reached for one of my boxes, but Kole stepped into his path, stopping him.
The warrior’s aura swelled, and Felix bristled.
Kole gave Felix his back, then leveled me with a heavy stare. “Have you thought this through, Prim?”
I knew he was not only referring to his warning about continuing north, but also about the fact that I didn’t actually know these three. And while the Faewood fairiesseemed harmless, and I certainly didn’t think they would murder me in my sleep, I also didn’t know for certain that they wouldn’t.
I also didn’t know what kind of traveling companions they would be, or if Felix’s harmless flirtations would morph into him wanting something more physical, which I didn’t particularly want to pursue. And then the issue would eventually arise of who would claim the Stone if we were lucky enough to find it.
Challenges would lie ahead if I chose to travel with them. I nibbled on my lip. Kole was right. Impulsively joining them might not be the best option, but it wasn’t like I had a plethora of traveling choices to choose from.
Felix glared at Kole and sidestepped him so he could clearly see me. “What’s there to think through, Kole? We’re offering her a ride because she no longer has one, and there is safety in numbers. She’ll be safe with us. She’ll be safe withme. I’ll watch out for her.”
I nearly snorted, because I was a hundred percent certain that if something truly dangerous occurred, I would be the one savinghim.
“Is a ride all you’re offering her?” the warrior said so coolly that he put the icy breeze to shame.
