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The force from the gargantuan tree caused a wave of water from the deep river to erupt into the air. A wave swept up and over the bridge so swiftly, nobody had a chance to escape before they were swept off their feet by a current of frothing water. Horses reared onto their hind legs, their hooves kicking into the air in panic, before running wildly. Parents scooped up their children and scrambled out of their way as the mad beasts dragged their wagons and carts in every direction, wares spilling out into the water behind them.

Lore’s hood was forgotten as the guard, along with her brethren, abandoned their posts, rushing toward the chaotic scene on the bridge, shouting orders for the merchants and families to restrain their horses.

They slipped into the city, unnoticed.

Chapter12

The Siren’s Song Inn smelled like sautéed onions and Katu’s socks.

These two very separate but distinct smells made Lore’s stomach churn, while simultaneously making her miss the days when her biggest obstacle was convincing Katu—newly twelve and with a hatred for bathing—to wash his feet before they stank up the boy’s room.

Still, when she’d read the inn’s name on the signpost, she’d really thought it was going to be... cleaner.

Her boots stuck to the floor and made an audible sound with each step. While Asher talked about acquiring a room to an adorably petite pixie—large eyes, locs piled in an elaborate bun, and dragonfly wings that twinkled in the lamplight—at the bar, Lore surveyed the room. Though the round tables filling the wide dining room weren’t empty, there wasn’t anyone in an official royal uniform, and Lore felt herself relax.

Still, the travelers sitting down to their evening meals didn’t seem like the safest of boarding companions, either. In one corner, giant creatures who looked like they had been carved from rocks drew attention where they sat. They were the noisiest group in the large pub—as she watched, one called loudly for more ale,while the others cheered and thrust their various weapons into the air. The weapons were rusted, and it seemed like one cut from them would cause you to die from infection rather than blood loss.

In the middle of the inn, lone travelers were scattered here and there. One particularly sinister-looking fellow sat with his back to the wall while an equally angry-looking mutt perched at his feet. They bared their teeth when Lore looked over, and she shuddered; the tips of both his and the mutt’s teeth ended in needlelike points.

In the opposite corner sat a family. The female appeared to be a dryad. Lore eyed her discreetly, excitement thrumming through her. She’d read about dryads in one of the books from the library. The female was tall and slender, and her skin was a gorgeous sage green. Her hair flowed around her shoulders and her dress was sunflower yellow with lace sleeves. Her assumed husband was also a dryad, though his family tree appeared to be a different variety. Where the female’s skin was smooth and green like that of a young sapling, his had the look of tree bark. He was brown and tall, with leaves that escaped his cap and brushed the tops of his ears.

Two children were with them, each one a small version of one of the parents. Judging by the fine cut of their clothes, they seemed too wealthy to be in a rough inn like this, and it seemed the mother agreed. She pushed her food around her plate, clenching her utensils in a viselike grip, hissing at her husband about dragging her and the children on the dangerous road with him to sell his wares.

The mention of danger caused Lore to turn back to her own companion, only to find him smiling as the pixie giggled and twirled a long lilac loc around a finger. Asher was leaning on the bar, murmuring something to her in low tones.

Lore felt her cheeks get hot. “Ahem. Ash—if you could give me the key? I’m in need of a hot bath and a bed.”

Asher ignored her and continued speaking quietly. The pixie tossed her head back and laughed, a tinkling that sounded like bells.

Lore was debating between casually smacking him with her backpack or giving him a swift kick to the shin when he straightened, gave a nod, and scooped a brass key off the counter.

“Come on,” Asher said to her, breezing by her without so much as a glance. Still, at least he was speaking to her; she was beginning to think he was going to give her the silent treatment forever.

Lore stopped in the doorway to their room, which was so small the one bed filled up almost the entire floor. She stumbled in, dropping her pack on the bed and sitting beside it while untying her scarf. “I can’t believe you were flirting at a time like this,” she groused, then froze.

Shit.She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

Asher raised an eyebrow, face expressionless.

“I just thought we weren’t supposed to be drawing attention to ourselves,” she added, trying to cover up her blunder. She willed her cheeks not to heat up.

Asher kicked off his boots and sat at the head of the bed, leaning against the wooden headboard. He rubbed his face roughly, then pushed his hair back and looked at her. “I had to haggle for a reasonable price. We didn’t have enough to cover the room and an evening meal.” His tone was clipped.

Lore felt her cheeks burn a second time. What business was it of hers if he was flirting, anyway? She had no right to say anything.

“Oh.” She didn’t want to admit that what she’d said was unfair, but knew she ought to. Yet at the same time, if she started apologizing now, would she ever stop? She had uprooted his life and turned his world upside down. Even when she made it home to Duskmere and he was rid of her, his life would never be the same. He could never return to being a castle guard.

He gave a slight nod, face once again buried in his large hands. Lore felt the acid burn at the back of her throat and her stomach clench. He looked defeated.

It was all because of her.

Lore cleared her throat. “So, what’s our cover story?”

Asher looked like he almost wanted to smile. “I told them we’re married. Let’s just hope they don’t ask too many questions.”

The thought of being married to Asher was shoved into a box in her mind, never to be considered again. She tried to keep her voice light. “We’ll be fine, as long as you can pretend like you don’t hate me for the next two days.” Asher hadn’t said more than two words to her since the cave.

“Yeah, if I can manage that, I think I’ll have found a new life calling. Then I’ll be able to join a traveling theater troupe, at least.” His laugh sounded hollow.