Page 32 of Maneater

I never went back to the inn after that. I never saw Caz again either.

For a heartbeat the memories scorched me raw, but I forced them back, quieting their burn until only embers remained. What I clung to instead was the part of me that never wavered, the darkness that kept me alive.

How long had Leya been gone? I was so lost in thought that I had no sense of time. I doubted the prince would keep her in his coach until sunrise. It had taken me months to earn even one night where Gadriel let me stay in his bed.

I waited in the dark, sleep still out of reach. It must have been about a half-chime later when I heard movement from outside. I quickly slid back into the chest where I had hidden earlier. The coach door opened with a faint creak, and I caught Leya’s soft voice through the fur pelts.

“Thank you, Sir Regis,” she said, before the door shut with a soft thud.

I waited for a moment, then another, but there was only silence. A sharp command rang out from the stable master, and the coach wheels creaked as we continued on our way.

Still, Leya remained strangely quiet. At last, a deep sigh came from her.

“Odessa?” she called. “You can come out now.”

At her signal, I stepped out from the chest, my eyes falling on her silhouette. Leya still looked as beautiful as when she left, but something in her expression had changed, something she wasn’t ready to share. I didn’t press her.

Instead, I gestured to the fur pelts and asked, “May I?”

Leya gave a slight nod, and I picked up the thickest one, carrying it to the corner of the coach where I made a small nest for myself.

Settling onto the blanket, I curled up with my knees drawn close to my chest. If I were to fall asleep, I preferred to do so upright. Better to be ready to run if I had to.

Leya began to undress, carefully folding her courtesan robes and tucking them away in a spot I couldn’t see.

She slipped into a nightgown and settled onto her bed.

From a hidden pocket, she pulled out a tiny vial and removed the stopper.

The scent hit me immediately. It was a blend of herbs I knew well: A contraceptive tonic I had taken many times myself.

Leya drank it in one gulp, wincing from the bitterness. I loathed it too. I knew that in about a quarter-chime, she would feel sick, and the motion of the coach would only make it worse. Still, she moved to the bed, curling into the blankets and furs.

Soon, our breathing evened out, and I imagined that Leya had fallen asleep around the same time I did.

So much had happened, and it was only natural that I felt drained, exhausted, and overwhelmed.

I had escaped Hyrall. I was beyond its towering stone walls.

This was the moment I had dreamed of for over a year, and it had finally come.

By morning, when we reached the first city, I would make my second escape.

I was relieved to know that Brier Len was far from Hyrall.

There was little chance of running into trouble at first, but if Gadriel had learned I was gone, he would piece together my plan quickly.

My new guard had likely already alerted the sentries or watch by now, realizing I was truly missing, and a missive would be sent by horsefoot.

I hoped Gadriel wouldn’t stop at the next carriage station for long, and that the horses would be replaced with fresh ones quickly.

Surely, he would want to be back on the road soon.

The farther he went, the longer it would take for the missive explaining I had escaped to reach him.

Night passed, and I only stirred when I heard Leya whimper. My eyes fluttered open slowly, still heavy with sleep. The wheels of the coach continued to turn, their rhythmic grinding steady in the background. I heard Leya whimper again. It was a soft, pitiful noise.

In the dark, I whispered, “Leya? Are you alright?”

She didn’t say anything, only tossed slightly, caught in some restless dream.

It was then I realized she was trapped in a nightmare.

I watched her closely, dread curling in my gut.

If she cried out, or if the driver thought something was wrong, he might come to check on her.

The last thing I needed was for him to intervene.

I rose quietly and crossed to where Leya lay, easing down beside her.

With a soft touch, I placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered a gentle hush.

Her dark brown hair clung to her damp skin, sweat beading along her brow as she twisted in discomfort.

I brushed the strands away and watched her closely, wondering what fears haunted her dreams.

I kept whispering, calm and low, until her breathing slowed and the whimpers faded. Relief swept through me. If her cries had drawn attention, or if I had been caught, I didn’t want to think about what I might have done.

I settled back into the furs once I was sure she wouldn’t cry out again. Resting my head against the coach wall, I let my body relax. My eyes closed slowly, the rhythm of the road lulling me. By morning, I would be far from here. Closer to something that felt like freedom.

The first light of dawn broke, and I was already wide awake, nerves crackling with the realization that we would be pulling into the first city in less than a chime.

I couldn’t help but feel the tension building.

The carriage master had told our driver that we would be stopping at the next station to switch out the horses for fresh ones.

I hadn’t fully worked out my plan for when we reached the city, but I figured I would slip away unnoticed as soon as I could, hoping to blend into the crowd.

I prayed the streets would be busy, at least enough to cover my escape.

Since the sun had only just risen, the city should be stirring to life soon.

I could feel Leya watching me from her bed, her mind likely dwelling on the same things as mine.

She hadn’t spoken yet, and although she looked rested, there was something about her that didn’t sit right with me.

My heart faltered for a moment. I had been so wrapped up in everything else, I hadn’t stopped to consider why she felt off.

Had she told Gadriel anything during service yesterday? Would she betray me like that?

If you had asked me the day before, I would have sworn she would do anything to get rid of me.

As the speculations raced through my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder if she had somehow convinced Gadriel of the truth.

“Leya,” I said, turning to face her.

She answered, “What is it?”

Tilting my head slightly, I noted, “You’ve been quiet this morning.”

“So what if I am?”

“I noticed something off about you yesterday,” I continued, ignoring her tone. “Late last night.”

She tensed. “And what would that be?”

“You had a nightmare,” I replied .

Her shoulders dropped slightly. “Oh,” she murmured. “I suppose I did.”

“I hope nothing too haunting.” I gave her an inquisitive look. “After a few soothing whispers and a gentle brush of your hair, you fell right back asleep. Quiet as a babe.”

Leya’s face turned red as she realized I had been at her bedside last night without her even knowing. “Don’t touch me again. Nightmare or not.”

I raised my hands. “Spare me the malice, Leya. Imagine if anyone had heard your whimpering and came to check in on us.”

She remained silent after hearing that.

“I’m curious,” I said, pressing on. “After all this time spent longing to serve the prince, and now that you have, why the sudden silence?”

Leya shook her head, her hands clenched into the sheets. “There’s nothing to say. Unlike you, I think it’s in poor taste to speak of what transpires between a courtesan and the prince behind closed doors. I have nothing to share about it.”

“Leya,” I said flatly. “Let’s be honest. You’ve always liked the attention. The gloating. The little performances. Strange that now, when it counts, you have nothing to say.”

“As I’ve already told you, there’s nothing to discuss.”

“That’s what you keep saying,” I replied. “But unless you explain, I’m left to speculate. I’m not interested in what happened between you and the prince. I want to know what you said to him last night.”

“What are you getting at?” Leya asked. “Are you accusing me of telling the prince you’ve run away? Do you think I’m that stupid?”

“No,” I admitted. “I think you’re smarter than that. Which is exactly why I can’t shake the feeling that you told him something you shouldn’t have.”

“Did you ever think that if I had, you’d already be dragged out of this coach by now?”

“I know him. I understand the games he plays. ”

Something flickered in Leya’s eyes, but she only shook her head. “I’ll say this one last time, Odessa. I didn’t tell the prince anything. I want you out of my life. Let that be the end of it.”

I tried to settle, but the doubt clung to me. My head dropped back against the side of the coach, aching from the chimes of stillness. But the real pain was the tension twisting through me.

What if Gadriel knew?

I told myself he wouldn’t confront me outright. He would wait for the right moment. If anything, that only made it worse. Gadriel’s cruelty was never loud. He punished with precision. He waited until you thought you were safe, then made you bleed for it.

“Fine,” I said, pulling back slightly. I had no real reason to doubt Leya at this point.

“Once we reach the city, I’ll find a way to leave.

The carriage master mentioned we’d be switching horses at the next station, though I don’t know if that will mean different riders.

I suspect we’ll only make one stop today, and we’ll likely follow that pattern throughout the journey. ”

Leya seemed unconvinced. “And how exactly do you plan on doing that? Once we’re in the city, with the prince, the riders, the carriage master, and the knights watching, how do you expect it to work? If you get caught, so will I.”

“I won’t get caught,” I countered. “But listen, I need you to do something. Take a look out the quarter light. Can you see the city? What does it look like?”

Leya eyed me warily, then rose from her furs and moved to the small rectangular window by the door.

She unlocked the latch and pulled the wooden divider aside.

Sunlight flooded in as she peered out, doing her best to catch a glimpse of what lay ahead, though I could see her struggling to make out the details.

“We’re getting closer,” she said. “What was it called again? Falholm?”

“Falhurst,” I corrected her .

Leya rose onto her toes, her eyes scanning the distance. “Not much to see, really. There’s a stone wall all around the city, and it looks like we’re heading toward a gate. Everything’s pretty bleak. Just hills and bare trees for miles. It’s bigger than I expected.”

I thought for a moment, trying to picture it.

“We’ll likely be stopped at the gate for inspection.

With the prince’s orders, we shouldn’t have much trouble getting through.

As for the carriage station, I have no idea what it will be like, but that’s my chance to slip away.

Once we’re closer, I’ll take the risk and check it out myself. ”

“I pray to the gods you don’t get us both killed.”

I rose and turned to face her. “I understand it’s a lot to ask, but I may need your help, Leya. At least until I’m out of the carriage. I have a cloak just like yours, so I can cover my face, but that won’t be enough. I need to know that if things go wrong, you’ll back me up.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “What kind of help are we talking about?”

“Anything. Distracting the knights, swapping places with me, even lying to the prince. Can you manage that?” I lowered my eyes. “I’m asking for one final favor. Help me break free from him.”

Leya hesitated, her fingers playing with the edge of her nightgown, then said, “I’ll do what I can.”