Page 6

CHAPTER 6

A fter a restless night tossing and turning, sleep finally granted me a fleeting escape. It felt as though I had scarcely closed my eyes when morning broke. A heavy veil of exhaustion hung over me, a thick fog pressing against my senses, luring me back into slumber’s comforting depths. The temptation was only disrupted by my aching muscles, a painful reminder of yesterday's exertion and the long night spent on the unforgiving ground.

For several long minutes I was caught in a tug-of-war between the need for more rest and the urgent purpose that had initially roused me. Eventually sense prevailed in this inner battle—I couldn't squander the opportunity granted by the quiet of the early morning before the others stirred and risk detection.

With strenuous effort, I pushed through my fatigue and slowly lifted my heavy lids. The world gradually came into blurry focus. Through the faint rays of early morning dawn spilling over the horizon I discovered I’d unwittingly shifted during the night—Prince Darcel was now mere inches away, our hands almost grazing. I must have moved closer to him in my sleep, unconsciously drawn by his warmth.

I gasped in silent horror and quickly scooted back, nearly careening into Kael’s sleeping form. He grunted and shifted but thankfully didn’t wake. I didn’t linger to see if he stirred further, my attention instead inadvertently captured by the prince’s features—softened in slumber, somehow more striking when cast in the gentle morning glow.

I found myself staring longer than was sensible—momentarily mesmerized—before I managed to yank my gaze away. Annoyance surged sharply at my ridiculous ogling, already urging me to steal another glance. I cursed myself for my distraction. My duty to safeguard my family’s ancient spell was already burdening enough without this confusing attraction clouding my judgment. Why did the man I had resolved to view as my adversary have to be so compelling?

Even though I’d determinedly looked away, Prince Darcel’s unwanted presence lingered. In addition to his proximity, the cloak he’d placed over me last night still enveloped me. I hastily yanked it off, determined to place as much distance between myself and the frustratingly alluring prince as possible. I immediately missed its warmth as the chilly morning air assaulted me, though the prince’s scent lingered—a mix of his natural fragrance and the grime of our journey, creating a strangely intoxicating blend I was both eager and reluctant to wash off.

In the end my desperate desire for a bath proved stronger. I kept my breaths quiet and measured as I carefully eased out of my bedroll, feeling the soreness of my muscles from yesterday’s long trek as I stood. Mindful not to disturb the rhythmic breathing of my sleeping companions, I tiptoed around their sprawled figures. Each step through the makeshift maze of bodies and belongings proved a challenge, navigation made more difficult by my stiff limbs and the dim morning light, with only the faint glow of the dying campfire’s embers casting flickering shadows across the ground.

I had nearly reached the edge of the clearing when a voice cut through the silence, sharp and accusatory. “Where are you sneaking off to at such an unusual hour?”

I gasped and spun around, my heart pounding in sudden alarm. Sir Jiang stood there, his expression etched with stern disapproval. Fluster momentarily trapped my voice. “What are you?—”

“As His Highness’s guard I was the first one responsible for the night watch, which includes monitoring for any suspicious activity, whether it's from external threats...or from within our own ranks.” His gaze narrowed meaningfully. Instinctively, my hand flew to my face, fingers brushing against the rough stubble that reassured me my disguise was still intact.

He continued to watch me intently, clearly expecting some sort of explanation. Gathering my wits, I seized hold of the excuse I had prepared in anticipation of such a confrontation. “I’m gathering herbs,” I said with as much confidence as I could muster. “Some can only be picked at dawn to retain their maximum potency.”

Despite my explanation, Sir Jiang’s skepticism didn’t falter. His pointed look darted briefly to the satchel I clutched tightly like a lifeline. “And such a task requires all of your supplies?”

I managed a weak nod, trying to appear as earnest as possible. “The preparations are delicate as the herbs require specific handling immediately after harvesting. Their use is essential in our journey.” I hoped this would satisfy his concerns, though the persistent edge of suspicion in his posture told me I had perhaps only bought a temporary reprieve.

His mistrust lingered in the air like an unspoken challenge, but without sufficient evidence to support his doubts he was compelled to accept my explanation…at least for now. Though he clearly still harbored suspicions, he reluctantly let me go without further questioning. I felt the weight of his skeptical gaze on my back as I hurried away, grateful to put as much distance between us as possible.

Once out of his sight, I altered my course. In contrast to the oppressive darkness that had once smothered our kingdom, the shadows of early morning now provided a welcome refuge, concealing my movements. As I made my way to a secluded stream some distance from camp, I mechanically gathered any herbs I encountered along the path, each plant bolstering my alibi should anyone question my activities upon my return.

The latent moonlight was steadily fading into the first hints of dawn, forcing me to use the dense underbrush for cover lest Sir Jiang or anyone else follow me. I listened intently for any sign of pursuit with every cautious step; the morning was still, yet even this welcome silence amplified my anxiety.

Upon reaching the stream I paused to scan the tranquil surroundings for any hint of disturbance, but the only sound was the water gently babbling over the smooth stones. Cool mist rose from the surface, adding another welcome layer of cover.

Once assured of my solitude, I began to undress with shaking hands, each removed piece of clothing adding to my sense of vulnerability. The final garment was the tight cloth bound around my chest, an uncomfortable yet essential part of my disguise to my feminine figure that my limited magic hadn’t been able to alter. Without my clothing I felt starkly exposed. The cool air brushed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine as I hurried into the water, biting my lip to stifle my sharp, involuntary gasp at the frigid temperature.

A sudden rustle near the bank sounded, freezing me in place, but it was only a frog leaping onto a lily pad. I exhaled a shaky breath, though my nerves remained tightly wound. My relief at finally being able to bathe did little to penetrate the tension that kept me trapped in its firm hold; I remained acutely aware of every sound and movement in the surrounding area as I bathed.

Determined to finish quickly, I hastily scrubbed the dirt off my skin before undoing my hair from its tight touji , letting it cascade freely down my back. As I energetically washed away the last of the grime from travel, I barely registered the quiet rustle of leaves over the soft murmur of the stream until the sound of footsteps pierced the morning stillness, startling me with their proximity.

Panic seized my breath as I recognized Kael and Sir Jiang’s voices, thankfully absent of the prince. For a moment I remained paralyzed as I debated my options before plunging deeper into the water in an attempt to hide. The splash created by my hasty movements made too much noise, drawing the unwanted attention I sought to evade. Afraid to disturb the stream with even a single additional ripple I froze, my heart pounding…but it was too late. To think that even with magic aiding my disguise I had only managed to evade detection for a single day. The failure felt sharp.

“Is that Ren?” Kael's cheerful voice carried across the stream as his curiosity drew him closer to the water’s edge.

Sir Jiang’s heavier footsteps approached the bank. “He’s supposed to be gathering herbs,” he replied wryly.

I bit back a biting retort, as if my stubborn silence would be enough to conceal me from a discovery that at this point was inevitable.

“Seems an odd hour for a bath, doesn’t it?” Sir Jiang stated.

“Maybe the lad just prefers the privacy of dawn,” Kael said. “It does seem refreshing.”

The heavy tension was broken by the sound of clothes ruffling—as if they were in the process of being removed—followed by a splash and the slosh of water. The very scenario I had done my best to avoid with my early morning excursion was unfolding before my horrified eyes, and I felt powerless to stop it.

In a desperate attempt to conceal myself I dipped beneath the water, holding my breath for as long as I could before my need for air forced me to resurface. Gasping, I rubbed the water and dripping hair from my eyes. My vision cleared, revealing that Kael already stood waist deep in water, and had used my time beneath the surface to wade scandalously close.

He caught my eye with a mischievous grin. “I thought that was you.”

I didn’t return his smile, too focused on keeping my gaze lifted so I wouldn’t accidentally see something that would scar my mind forever. I submerged myself deeper, leaving only my eyes and nose above the surface. The cold from the stream seeped into my bones, mirroring the icy fear coursing through me.

Kael’s prodding gaze seemed to be awaiting a response. I managed to gather enough composure to speak, my voice muffled by the water, hoping my tone was casual enough to dispel any lingering doubts. “I was hoping to find some eelgrass.”

“In…the lake?”

I nodded a little too vigorously. “It’s an aquatic plant, so when I saw the stream I thought I might be able to harvest some.”

Amusement twitched his lips. “Hence why you’re up to your eyes in the water?”

I eagerly latched onto Kael’s reasoning. Ducking under the surface, I felt along the silt bed of the stream, wrapping my fingers around the first stem I came across and tugging. I resurfaced and triumphantly held up the limp weed.

He cocked a skeptical brow as he took in the soggy leaves. “That’s eelgrass?” He pushed back his wet hair with one hand, and I noticed an unusual object on his arm—a wide leather bracelet, or perhaps a bandage of some type.

“Well…no. I haven’t found any yet, but I thought it was worth taking the time to search.” I began edging along the slippery stream bed, keeping myself submerged up to my neck and trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

Kael’s brow furrowed as he watched my clumsy retreat, but while he accepted my fumbled explanations readily enough, Sir Jiang as usual wasn’t so easily swayed. He crossed his arms, his silhouette imposing against the rising sun. “Where are the herbs you were supposedly gathering? Surely a plant that grows at the bottom of a stream doesn’t need to be harvested exactly at dawn.”

“Over there. I picked them before I entered the water.” I gestured vaguely towards the bank, grateful for my foresight in procuring an alibi…though I never would have imagined I would use it in a scenario where one of my comrades stood naked a short distance away, the protection of my secret relying wholly on the cover of the stream and the faint early light.

Sir Jiang eyed the small pile of greenery I had collected, resting beside the clothes I desperately yearned to put back on. He looked ready to continue the interrogation, but Kael cut him off with a laugh and a dismissive wave.

“Your role as a guard, though admirable, leaves you suspicious of even the most innocent things. Let the boy be, Jiang. He’s doing no harm.” But something lurked beneath his friendly guise as his gaze shifted back to me, eyes narrowed slightly in a not-so-easily-convinced manner. “Though you do seem a bit jumpy, Ren. Is everything alright?”

“I’m fine,” I panted, clutching at a lily pad and instinctively bringing it closer to my chest, as if it could somehow aid my escape. “Nothing is wrong, I’m just…”

My mind raced for further explanation but none was forthcoming, the awkwardness of the situation rendering me speechless. Fear of discovery had eclipsed my usual level-headed calm, leaving me to struggle to maintain my secrecy while under scrutiny.

I’d directed my response to the other side of the stream, keeping my face averted to avoid accidentally seeing something I very much wanted to avoid from the man standing far too close. To my horror Kael sloshed closer. I stole a tentative peek at his face and found him squinting at my profile, brow furrowed.

His eyes suddenly widened in bewilderment. “Wait, are you?—”

My disguise! The enchanted paste must have washed off in the water, and the jar containing the ointment lay out of reach on the bank behind him. I hastily ducked my head, but though the branches from the nearby copse of trees created a canopy of shadow, the faint light might not be enough to entirely mask my feminine features from his proximity.

Before he could examine me more closely I made a hasty retreat, my flight hindered by my foot getting caught in an underwater plant that caused a small splash that only drew more attention. I approached the bank, heart seizing in dread as I deliberated how to emerge from the water without being seen. I stared longingly at my neat pile of clothing, topped by my cloak that I’d planned on using as a makeshift towel. If only I’d hung it a little closer…

I turned back to see whether Kael was watching when something suddenly hit me in the back of the head. I whirled, instinctively snatching the bundle of cloth and staring up at Sir Jiang, who had flung my cloak at me from where he still stood on the bank.

“Hurry up,” he growled. “We have a long day ahead of us.”

I wrapped the fabric around myself—too grateful to mind that it was now wet—and emerged from the water. I nearly slipped on the muddy embankment, but eventually I succeeded in escaping, snatching up the rest of my things before hurrying into the trees.

I expected them to come after me but thankfully they remained behind, the heated weight of their scrutiny following me until I was out of sight. I had barely gone a short distance and rewound the cloth binding my chest when more footsteps sounded. I nearly groaned; it felt as fate was conspiring against me, as if its loyalty to the prince of the land compelled it to expose my deceit.

I hid myself behind a bush just as the prince emerged, heading for the very stream I had barely escaped from. I tried to keep still, but the rustle of leaves created by my hasty movements had already drawn the intruder’s unwanted attention. “Ren?”

I muttered an unsavory curse that by his snort he’d undoubtedly heard, ruining the chance that silence would allow me to remain undetected. Upon spotting me he changed directions. I hastily began tugging on the remainder of my clothes, my movements clumsy and the fabric clinging to my still-wet skin.

“Ren? Is that you?”

I managed to yank on my last garment just in time and plaster my enchanted ointment over my face. My skin tingled, and when I was certain the charm had worked its magic I tentatively peeked over the bush serving as my makeshift shield.

Prince Darcel stood there, brow furrowed. “What are you doing?”

My mind scrambled for any sort of explanation for my unusual behavior, each more inadequate and desperate than the last. Shyness seemed an inadequate excuse when I had no reason to desire modesty while bathing if I was a man. I sensed that any lie I spoke would be easily detected by his perusing gaze.

“Nothing. I just finished bathing.” My voice emerged breathless in my anxiety. The one silver lining was that unlike my previous disastrous conversation, at least I was dressed for this encounter.

He frowned. “I didn’t realize you could wash inside a bush.”

“I was harvesting aquatic plants.” I remembered my lie from earlier, in case the prince checked my story with the others.

He looked pointedly at the very non-aquatic bush while I focused on not noticing the way the early morning rays of light showed glints of gold in his dark eyes.

“Earlier,” I amended. “That’s what I was doing at the stream, and your companions thought I’d come to bathe.”

His lip twitched slightly. “Hence your dripping cloak.” The faint smile and hint of amusement transformed his face from its usual stern mask, and I felt a sudden yearning that I could be my true self with him rather than wearing a constant facade.

His mention of the cloak reminded me of his unexpected kindness during the night. I took a breath to thank him but fumbled for words, unsure of how a woman masquerading as a man should express gratitude to another man.

Instead, I blurted, “Now I’m picking herbs that can only be gathered at dawn.” I plucked a leaf from the bush I’d hidden behind and held it up. The prince’s eyebrows rose as he took in the sprigleaf, before narrowing as he studied the small pile I’d gathered earlier. The friendly light in his eyes faded as the harsh prince I’d met returned to the surface.

He leaned towards my ear, his warmth doing little to dispel the chill that fear caused to prickle my damp skin; I instinctively stiffened. “While it’s true that some herbs require you to pick them at such a specific time, the ones you gathered are not among them. You’ve already proved yourself knowledgeable enough in your craft that I doubt this was made in error. Next time you choose deceit, ensure that the one you’re lying to doesn’t possess a layman’s knowledge of the very subject you’ve chosen to be dishonest in.”

Without another word he departed. For a long moment I stared after his retreating form, his accusation rendering me frozen. As my wave of panic ebbed, my mind raced, desperately scrambling to untangle the potential implications of each encounter that had gone awry. There was the terrifying possibility that Kael might have glimpsed my true face beneath my faltered disguise, Sir Jiang clearly harbored suspicions about my strange behavior, and worst of all I had been caught lying by the prince whose trustworthiness I’d made it my personal mission to gauge.

It was bitterly ironic that this morning’s efforts to preserve my secrecy might now threaten to unravel the entire persona I had so meticulously crafted. In just a few fraught moments, my careful facade seemed on the verge of disintegrating, leaving my mission in peril.