Page 51

A sliver of light appears on the horizon.

We have another full day of travel ahead of us. I hope the princess isn’t wasting her time. The Mage might tell her there is simply no way to stop the rot and send her away with nothing. If that happens, I don’t know what we’ll do. I’m trying to tell myself it’s not as bad as the princess makes out, that perhaps the damage the castle and the city have sustained will be all that happens. But on this topic, I have to admit Taelyn knows far more than I do. Her homeland was destroyed by the rot, which is why she and her mother came to Askos in the first place. She has seen and experienced far more than I ever have.

The sun rises fully, and the small unit around me begins to stir. Men emerge from their tents and step off a short distance to relieve themselves. The fire is restoked, and cans of beans are heated in the flames, and water boiled for coffee.

Eventually, Taelyn climbs out of her tent. She doesn’t speak to me or even look my way. She vanishes behind a small hillock to relieve herself then returns to warm herself by the fire.

Balthorne has already made her coffee, and he presses the tin cup into her hands. She offers him a warm smile, and I immediately want to ram my dagger into the back of the man’s neck.

What was it she said about him? That she thought ofhim like a brother? Considering that I’m her actual stepbrother and I had my fingers inside her a few hours ago, I guess that doesn’t really mean much. He’s looking at her as though he’s picturing her naked, and I hate that she’s completely oblivious to it.

She’s mine.

I shake the thought from my head. Since when have I ever been possessive? I’ve never cared in the slightest what any of the women I’ve been with before have done, or who they’ve been with. I’ve always had a ‘more the merrier’ viewpoint. It’s different with Taelyn, though. The idea of anyone even thinking of her in such a way makes me want to tear their heads from their shoulders and use them as the rocks in a slingshot.

I have to keep reminding myself that we have no future. I refuse to share the throne with her. She is far more loved than I, and people will always look at her as being the greater monarch. Not that she would even agree to share it. There can only be one winner in this game.

“We should get back on the road,” I say, getting to my feet. “We need to make the most of the daylight.”

Balthorne nods. “I was just about to say the same.”

We saddle up the horses again. I’m conscious of Taelyn the whole time. She doesn’t allow someone else to take care of her mount but instead does everything herself, stopping long enough to give the horse’s long nose a rub and speak softly against its cheek.

I wonder if Taelyn, or even Balthorne, will suggest for me to return to the castle, but the subject isn’t brought up.

We ride again, navigating the desolate land. We stay alert for any sign of wild animals, or criminals, ready to make a meal out of us, or rob us of everything we have.The uneven ground makes the ride hard. Hours pass. We pause briefly for a lunch of hunks of bread and cheese then keep going.

I don’t want to doubt the princess’s plans, but the mood of our small group has fallen somber. The poor night’s sleep, plus the ride through this nothingness, has done nothing for morale. Not that I’m someone who is much good at boosting the spirits of others. Normally, I’m the one who brings everyone back down.

Are we even going the right way?

No one here has actually seen the Mage, or even been out in the wildlands, so we’re only going on word of mouth about which way to go to actually find them. I’ve never dared to suggest we might not know where we’re going. It wouldn’t go down well with Taelyn.

I keep sensing Taelyn’s gaze on me. Is she thinking about last night—or at least this morning—and how it felt when the two of us were huddled beneath those blankets?

She has a right to be distrustful of me.

Being with her has made me stronger, too. It’s different with her than it has been with anyone else. With others, it’s as though I’ve needed to put them into a kind of a trance, and then I’ve physically drunk from their sexual aura. With Taelyn, it’s as though I absorb her through my skin, and she is fully aware of everything I’m doing to her. I don’t need to use my magic to make her want me. The difference is refreshing, and I can’t put it down to anything in particular. Have I changed since being in the cage? Or is it her that’s different?

27

TAELYN

I sensethe mood of the group becoming despondent.

They say the Mage has been living out here for a thousand years. How can anyone survive for so long? Just a few days is enough to know we’re taking our lives into our hands.

The ride was supposed to have taken us a day and a half, and we’re at that now, which means we should be close. But how will we even know when we’re at the right hillside? It’s not as though the Mage will have a sign outside, pointing us in the right direction.

The wind whips around my face, pulling whisps of my hair from the braid that Skylar had done the day before—there had been no reason to undo it last night. I scrunch my shoulders under my cloak, trying to escape the worst of the cold. My fingers are dry and red around my horse’s reins. Why didn’t I bring any gloves?

I keep sensing Ruarok watching me. Every time I think of us in the tent, a heated pressure condenses between my thighs, and I have to force my mind away from it so I don’tmake the most of the rocking of that particular spot against the saddle. It wouldn’t do to have the future queen climax among so many men while riding her horse. Just the thought mortifies me.

Ruarok brings his horse level with mine.

“Can I ask you a question?” he says.

I shrug. I’ve got no reason to say no.