Page 33 of Quest for her Knights (The Lost Souls of Dyconia #5)

She doesn’t speak after that and we ride on in silence.

After a few minutes, I realize she’s leaning forward so her back doesn’t touch my chest and it frustrates me.

Does she not want to touch me? Would she rather ride with my brother?

And that thought annoys me, I shouldn’t want her to touch me.

She’s the princess, we’re supposed to be maintaining distance.

It doesn’t stop my arm from slowly moving around her waist, my hand settling on her abdomen as I gently pull her back until she’s leaning against me.

Her body is tense for a moment before she slowly starts to relax.

The tension fades and my chest starts to feel light, as if this is all it wants, to be close to her.

It makes no sense to me but I decide to enjoy the feeling of peace for once.

After a couple hours of us riding, she breaks the silence. “Ranger?”

“Hmm?”

“Why did those bandits attack us?”

“I think they were raiders. Just after our belongings and money.”

“They weren’t looking for me?”

I shake my head, even though she can’t see my face. “No, the attack didn’t seem aimed at you, it was definitely aimed at the carriage.”

“I guess that’s a relief.” She’s silent for a minute before she adds, “This world is pretty dangerous, isn’t it?”

“It can be, yes. That’s why it’s important to listen to us, so we can protect you.” She sighs but doesn’t respond. “What are you thinking?” I ask, wanting to know what worries her .

“I thought being here was going to be this grand adventure. But it feels like most of it has been danger and death.”

“There are plenty of good things in this world, too.”

“I’m starting to worry that the only good things here, aren’t things I’m allowed to enjoy.”

I let her words roll around my mind. Is she talking about when she jumped off the waterfall? Or is she talking about… us? I’m not sure I want to know the answer to that, but I hate the idea that she thinks our world is full of only bad things.

I contemplate what I can possibly say to prove the opposite when I notice a game trail to our left.

“Draven!” I call, causing him to turn and everyone stops moving forward.

“Hold tight, I’m jumping down,” I tell her as I dismount, then reach up to pull her down with me. “Draven, you’re with us. Blaze and Arrow, you watch the horses. We’ll just be a few minutes. I want to show her something.” I gesture to the trail, and they all smile and nod in approval.

I grab her hand and lead her into the barely visible trail.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“A good surprise?”

“You think I’d surprise you with something bad?” I ask, glancing back at her.

She shrugs. “I dunno. You normally only lead me places when you’re upset with me or protecting me. Are we in danger? ”

“No, we’re safe here. And I’m not upset with you.” I glance back down at her and frown. “I’m never upset with you, Elora. I just get frustrated when I’m trying to protect you and you fight me on it.”

“I’m sorry,” she says quietly as I turn back to our path.

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. You’re doing so much better now.” I give her hand a small squeeze and glance back to see her cheeks growing pink.

I turn away and smile to myself, realizing how much she likes my praise. It warms my heart to know she wants to make me happy, just as I do for her.

I hear a noise ahead and turn back to her and Draven, placing my finger over my lips as I whisper, “Shh.”

They both nod, and I slow our pace, being very careful where I place my feet so I don’t make any loud noises.

After another minute of our silent trek forward, I catch sight of what I’ve been looking for.

I gesture for us to squat low, then reach forward and gently hold a few leaves aside so Elora can see it.

I watch her face as her eyes widen and her jaw drops open.

It’s pretty rare to see a stagellan, and the fact that I saw its trail at the exact moment I wanted to show Elora that our world wasn’t all bad isn’t lost on me.

I’ve only ever seen one once before. They are similar to our common deer but with four giant antlers and a long tail with a small spear-tipped end, which they use for protection to their flank, as their heavy antlers make it hard for them to turn quickly.

We watch silently as it munches on grass in a small clearing. It’s truly a majestic sight, and watching Elora’s face as she stares in wonder tells me it was worth it to stop for this.

“Ah-choo!” Elora sneezes, scaring the stagellan as it runs off in the opposite direction. “Oops, sorry.”

I laugh, so she knows I’m not upset, and help her stand.

“What did you think?” I ask as we follow Draven back to the road.

“It was amazing! What was it?”

“A stagellan. They are very rare.”

“It was beautiful.”

“They say it’s good luck to see one,” Draven adds from in front of us.

“Really?” she asks, excitement lighting her voice.

“Yep. They say anyone who sees one will have good fortune in their near future.”

“Like money?” she asks.

“Not necessarily,” I tell her. “It could be anything.”

“Hmm.”

“What are you thinking?” I ask.

“Maybe it means good things about our next stop. Maybe the lords at Shadowcross will be different. ”

She looks up at me, and I see hope there. Is that what she truly hopes for? To connect with one of these groups of noblemen? I suppose she must; it’s her only option, after all.