Page 18 of The Unbound Witch

“I’m going to be wearing this forever, aren’t I?”

I looked down at the simple slacks she’d been wearing the day she died. “It could be worse? At least it's not a full ball gown.”

She groaned and vanished, content to process her feelings where no one could see her. Some things never changed, I guessed. Glancing around Grey’s large form behind me, I peeked in the direction of the town. If someone were to pursue us for stealing a horse, it wouldn’t take them long to catch up with such a slow pace.

Grey looked back as well, probably thinking the same thing. “You haven’t asked me a single question all day.”

I lifted a shoulder. “It’s kind of been a horrible day, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Not the adventuring type, Moonstone?”

“Not while I’m potentially dying or something.”

“I’m hoping for the ‘or something’,” he said, pressing his heels into the horse as he scanned the horizon for the millionth time that day.

We picked up speed for no more than two minutes before he pulled back on the reins. He inhaled a sharp breath and held it as he hissed Kirsi’s name. She didn’t come.

“I’m sorry for this,” he whispered before wrapping his arm securely around my stomach and pulling me as close to him as I could possibly get.

I waited for the panic to set in, the dread to overcome me, rising. But there was a preternatural calmness as I realized something was wrong, and the man holding me might be my only safety in a world with no magic.

“Someone’s close,” he breathed, scanning the space scattered with trees, even searching the thicker band at the base of the snow-capped mountain. “No talking. No arguing. If I tell you to go, you stay on this horse and ride directly west. Keep the setting sun in front of you and the moon at your back. Talk to no one. I’ll find you.”

“I don’t like this plan.”

His hand pressed harder against my stomach. “I didn’t ask for your approval, Moonstone.”

It seemed the slight breeze that had guided us through the chilly autumn day vanished, Grey’s warm chest against my back, his massive figure curled around me, an alarming reminder that he also had no magic, only the small knife he carried. He’d have to be a physical barrier, if nothing else. And he didn’t owe me that kind of sacrifice.

We slowed to a snail's pace, still moving forward, but only just, as two figures stepped out from behind the trees in front of us. Both men were the size of Grey, which didn’t bode well for our odds. My mind worked a million miles an hour, trying to discern which looked the most menacing. The one with white hair and a scar above his eye, or the slightly older looking one with sharp golden eyes and twists of dark hair partially concealed beneath a hood.

Grey pulled back on the reins before squeezing me with his thighs. With trembling hands, I took the leather straps from him as he slid expertly to the ground and took one confident step toward the dangerous men.

They didn’t speak as they stared each other down. I closed my eyes, willing my thunderous heart to settle as I considered whether I’d really leave Grey behind and run, or if I’d stay and find a way to help him.

But what could I do? I’d been weakened by headaches and nausea from the day. My injured legs wouldn’t carry me for long, and I had no clue where Kirsi had gone. I doubted she’d go far.

Grey took another silent step, and the giant men matched it, sharing a menacing smile. Directly behind the man with the scar, a rock the size of a dinner plate shifted. Had I not been paying attention, I would have missed it.Kirsi.I straightened my back on the horse, looking down at Grey and back to the men, weapons drawn.

That rock moved again, only this time, it wasn’t an ear flick, not a shove; she’d grabbed a tangible object, lifting it in the air. I watched for any sign that Grey had seen her, but he didn’t so much as breathe, taking another step forward.

“What are you doing here?” the black man with golden eyes asked, his voice as smooth as a deep, soulful song.

Grey’s swallow was audible. “Just passing through.”

Again, the men shared a look. Kirsi’s weapon of choice floated higher and higher, though I was clearly the only one that noticed she was about to bash one of their skulls in.

The man with ashy white hair cut a glance to me. “The Dark King’s cousin doesn’t just pass through the human lands, Grey Firewing.”

8

RAVEN

Hearing Grey addressed by his full name, in a land where no one should have known not only what, but who, he was, twisted something deep within me. I believed for a long, long time the human lands, though void of power, were likely safer than our own treacherous home.

Kir hadn’t moved at all, not an inch, with that hovering rock. Grey stood as tall as ten men, the tension reaching a level so high I could feel it in my veins. The world silenced as he took another step forward.

“Where you headed,witch?”