Page 69 of Her Ivory Flame

“Raine’s stuff too?” Kaden’s voice echoed off the walls.

“Yes sir, she is waiting with the horses.”

She walked around the corner, the guards instantly tensed and she kept casually braiding her hair down her front side. The room looked almost untouched, the only thing feeling empty was the dresser and seeing the couch without Kaden’s bedding.

“Well, let's go.” she sighed and started towards the door without looking at Kaden.

Part of her was happy to be leaving the castle and get a change of scenery, but she wasn’t happy about the destination she was going to.

Bromel wasn’t the first place she would choose to reside and there seemed to be a more sinister reason to move her than what was being led on.

They walked outside, a wagon and a half a dozen horses waiting for them including her grey mare. Raine was standing near another white mare and three guards stood around the wagon watching them approach.

“I hand picked the guards coming with us.” Kaden said next to her as they stopped feet from them.

“This is Finnley.” His hand pointed to a long redhaired male with bright green eyes and a bow strung across his back, matching sword on his hip. He gave her a friendly smile.

“Boone.” A shaved black-haired male with bright blue eyes and twin daggers resting on his hips.

“Xander.” Another dark-haired male, hair cut a couple inches longer than Boone’s and his sword across his back.

“We also have Titus as our wagon driver.” Her eyes looked upon an older man in civilian clothes she had not initially seen, a dagger poking out of his cloak.

She just dipped her head as a hello and looked to Raine, her blonde friend giving her a wide smile. She was happy to have hercome along, but was going to have to be extra careful to make sure she stayed alive on their trip.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked softly towards Raine.

“Yes my lady.”

“If you want to return at any point, just say the word and one for these men will escort you back.” Kaden said from behind over her shoulder and a spark of gratefulness hit her heart. He really had thought of everything.

“We better get moving, your highness, if we want to make it to the first checkpoint on time.” Finnley said with a friendly smile.

“Your highness?” she chuckled and gave Kaden a sideways look. “Did you tell them to call me that?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” He smirked and started towards his horse at the front of the group.

She stuck her tongue out at him even though he couldn’t see it and walked to her horse that was waiting. She checked her gear before mounting and settled into her sherpa lined saddle. It at least gave more cushion to her bottom, but she had a feeling it was going to make her warm.

The sound of leather groaning could be heard around her as the rest got situated on their horses, Raine riding up next to her.

“Sleep well?” Raine whispered.

“I did but the reason wasn’t a good one.” she shrugged and they started moving.

Kaden and Boone had decided to take the lead while Finnley and Xander took up the rear to keep watch behind the wagon. She stayed ahead of the wagon with Raine by her side just behind Kaden. They moved towards the city wall in silence.

“I heard about what happened with you and Silas.” Raine whispered again. “If you need to talk about it, we have a lot of time to fill.”

She let her eyes reluctantly scan the crowd to see if he had come to watch them leave, and to her relief she didn’t see him. This was goodbye, and this time it was for good.

“Maybe later,” she mumbled back. “A lot has happened in the last couple of days and I think a long ride will help clear my mind.”

Raine didn’t push the matter and she kept her eyes forwards while people stepped out of the way of their small group.

Once they passed the wall, she felt like a huge weight lifted off her shoulders and she breathed in a long breath of fresh air.

Being outside the stone walls seemed to instantly make her feel a little better, the freedom of riding among the grass and trees feeling less like a cage.