I took a deep breath. Just being near him made me feel slightly unhinged. If he was this uncomfortable over my heritage, what would he think if he knew the whole truth? If he learned of my Gift? Part of me wanted to tell him, but the more rational side refused. Who was to say he wouldn’t leave me by the side of the road?
Naveed signed something that caused the men to burst out laughing and Daichi to shout curses; I assumed it was a joke at his expense.
I shifted on the hay bale, when Bosh got up and plopped onto the bale beside me.
He dug into his pack, pulling out a smaller one.
My heart skipped a beat. It was my stolen bag!
“Um, Kadin says this is yours,” he mumbled. His face was red as if he was embarrassed.
Had Kadin told him my secret? Fury fought against the panic, making my pulse leap. I listened intently, but Bosh’s thoughts didn’t indicate anything unusual.
He slid it over to me; the others didn’t notice. “He says you stole this before me, and we don’t steal from each other... anyway, I didn’t see you that day, but he says he knows it’s yours, you know, because of what’s inside. Sorry. Now that you’re one of us, I figured I should give it back.”
“That’s... alright.” I took the bag, resisting the urge to open it there in front of everyone. He thought I’d stolen the things inside?
“The, um, the food was all gross, so I threw it out... and I owe you a ruby, but the rest is there... you can check if you want...” he mumbled the last bit as he stood to go back to his seat.
I touched his arm. “Thank you.” For more than he knew.
His face lit up and he nodded, returning to his spot. Easy to please, that one. And easy to fool.
I forced myself to wait until nightfall when Kadin got each of us a room in a small town for the night, before I opened the bag in private. I shoved the jewels aside.
There, at the bottom, was my crown.
Safe.
I didn’t have to stay with the men anymore, if I didn’t want to. As soon as I could convince Gideon to help me, I could place my crown on my head and ask the nearest royal family to take me home.
I should have been ecstatic. Things were looking up.
So why did I feel so sad?
CHAPTER 25
