Page 13

CHAPTER 13

T he light from the roaring flame flickered amongst the group’s faces as we sat around the campfire, eating our supper. It cast shadows in the distance, the peculiar shapes looking all too similar to people watching us as the fire snapped and popped over burning wood. The smoke wafted away from me, leaving the crisp, earthy scent to wrap around me like a caress.

“We’re alone out here with the light from the fire. No need to worry,” Lander said from where he sat on the dirt ground beside me. He’d already finished his bowl of porridge, listening as others talked. I’d half expected him to excuse himself as soon as he was done, but he’d stayed, keeping me company.

Paxon sat across the circle, every so often observing the two of us in between bites. He’d ignored the guards as they attempted to strike up conversation with him, and I had to believe it was because he was eavesdropping on everyone.

“Because of the light?” I asked, setting my bowl in the dirt in front of me.

Lander nodded, shifting his leg under him. “Have you heard those scary bedtime stories?”

I gnawed on my lip. “Sort of. But they’re not real, are they?”

He looked out at the dark expanse past our camp, as if the thought of what might be out there haunted him. “Some are. Different environments hold different predators.”

“Are you saying we’re their prey?”

He turned to me, the orange ambience lighting up his hazel eyes, as if they themselves were the fire. “We’re always the prey.”

“Ignore my brother,” Paxon spoke up from his spot across from us, drawing our attention to him. “He’s too into those old stories of things that go bump in the night. You needn’t worry about what’s out there.”

“So long as the fire keeps burning,” Lander said, and the rest of the circle quieted.

Paxon’s jaw pulsed, as if he was holding back some retort. “That’s what we have the guards for.”

“I’m only educating her,” Lander defended, sensing his brother’s growing irritation. I wasn’t familiar with sibling relationships, given I was an only child, but if Lander and Paxon were anything to go off of, I was glad for my situation. The bickering seemed nonstop between them.

Paxon’s hand flexed before he set it on his bent knee. “You’re to be her husband, not her teacher.”

Lander’s teeth ground together beside me, the sound apparent.

“I heard they aren’t actually getting married to rebuild peace,” one of the guards said.

Everyone’s attention jumped to him. He wore a green short-sleeved shirt with gray pants, having taken off his armor once we arrived. His light brown hair was greasy, sticking up in odd angles, evidence of our journey already taking a toll on our hygiene.

I sat forward, curious for him to go on. I knew as much about this marriage as the rest of them, so I’d take any information I could get—rumor or not.

Paxon’s narrowed eyes landed on the guard, but the man seemed oblivious.

“What’s the union for, then?” another guard asked, this one from Amosite. He took the question right from my mouth.

“Some s—” the first guard started, but was quickly cut off by Paxon’s hard tone.

“Is it your job to gossip?”

The guard rolled his eyes, as if Paxon was being dramatic. Truthfully, he was. “We’re just talking, Your Highness.”

“Chitchat is done for the night.” Paxon stood, straightening the cuffs of his jacket. “Finish your meals and return to your posts. As my brother so helpfully brought up, we’re the prey out here, lest you forget.”

The guard let out a sigh, a look of annoyance crossing his face. He didn’t say a word as Paxon retreated to his tent, leaving the rest of us to finish our bowls of bland food in silence.

As one of the other guards made a round to collect the empty bowls, Lander offered me a hand to help me stand. I took it, getting to my feet.

Lander shot me a sympathetic half-smile. “Ignore my brother. He tends to be a bit dramatic about things.”

“You don’t have to make excuses on his behalf. I think we’re all bound to get a little stir-crazy with the long days.”

He ran a hand through his mussed hair. “You’re probably right.”

I turned to head for my tent, Lander accompanying me on the short walk. “Do you think that guard knows something we don’t?” I asked.

Lander shrugged. “Maybe. They all gossip, though. Someone probably made up a rumor to stir up some drama, and now people are believing it. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” We stopped outside my tent, facing each other. “I wanted to ask, though. Are you enjoying seeing some of Serpentine so far?”

A genuine smile crept up on my face. “Enjoying it would be an understatement.” My eyes scanned the darkness surrounding the camp. “It’s so much more than I ever could have imagined. Wildflowers and colorful trees I would never have thought existed just…do. I can feel the sun and see the soft grass and smell the fresh soil.” I inhaled for emphasis, taking in the warm scent of the smoke from the fire and the earthy undertones that followed it as I looked at Lander again. “I never want to leave it.”

He offered a closed-lip smile in return, the corners looking sad. “I wish you never had to. Maybe your father will change his tune once we return unscathed.”

“Maybe,” I said, the thought of never seeing such beauty again threatening to bring me down. “But for now, I’ll enjoy it while I can.”

“That’s the spirit.” He inched away. “Sleep well, Auria. We have a long few days ahead of us. You’re going to need it.”

I reached for the flap of my tent, pulling it back. “You, too, Lander.”

Then I disappeared inside, making sure to refill the vial of fire magic that kept the lantern lit in the hopes it’d keep the monsters at bay.

For the physical ones, it’d work. But the ones that lived inside my head?

If only such was possible.

* * *

The next morning, I emerged from my tent to find the camp had already been packed up, the only things left to be stowed away on the mules were a few packs of clothing. The coals from the fire that had burned out overnight still released small gray tendrils, the pungent scent of smoke lingering in the air.

“Did I sleep in?” I asked Lander as he passed me, hurrying to match his pace as he continued walking.

“No.”

I waited for him to continue, offering any explanation as to why we were hurrying to leave, when he did a double take, noticing me staring at him. He stopped, grabbing my arm to halt me with him. But before he could speak, the presence at our side sent pins and needles down my arm.

“You didn’t happen to see anyone sneaking off last night, did you, Lady Auria?” Paxon asked.

I looked at him while Lander kept his focus trained on me. “No? Why would I have? I was asleep.”

Paxon nodded slowly, as if he didn’t believe me. Meanwhile, guards entered my tent to begin packing it up. “If you hear anything, you’ll tell us.” It wasn’t a question.

“Of course I will,” I replied, not sure what I was even agreeing to.

Once Paxon walked away, I turned back to Lander. “What is he talking about?”

Lander rolled his lips together, like he was debating what to tell me. “That guard who doubted the reasons behind our marriage deserted sometime during the night.”

My eyes widened. “Deserted?”

He nodded, but he had the same look his brother did moments before.

“You don’t believe that, do you?” I asked.

His gaze hardened on me as he thought. “There’s an explanation for everything, and my brother always seems to be the first one to provide it.”

Realization at what he was trying to say hit me. “You don’t trust him?”

“I grew up with him, Auria. But as we both know, family is family.”

I knew all too well what he was getting at.

“Don’t ask questions. Don’t raise suspicions. And if you hear anything…” He trailed off, searching the busy area for his brother.

“I’ll come to you,” I said.

He gave a nod of approval before continuing on his way to continue packing up the camp.

I didn’t know who to trust or what to believe, but I wanted to think Lander wouldn’t be messing with my head. Either way, keeping to myself was probably in my best interest for the duration of our trip.