Page 6 of The Unbound Witch

“You sure, son? It’s a loaded wagon.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man stepped away, grabbing the hub from the ground and shoving it onto the spoke. He reached around to the front of the wagon. With a grunt, he carried back a hefty metal wrench to secure the wheel. The woman and I slid out of the way just in time for him to spin the wheel once, making sure it’d been set straight before giving Grey a nod.

Grey slowly released the wagon, and the horse nickered, kicking at the gravel road as he neighed.

Grabbing the reins, the couple took their seat on the bench ahead of the coach. “I sure thank you, stranger. Seems something’s got my horse spooked, though. We best be on our way up to the old barn. Where are you headed this time of day?”

“We’re traveling to Bluestem, but our mare was stolen overnight, along with all of our provisions.”

“Oh, you poor dears,” the woman said, cleaning her hands with her apron. “And you’re walking the road this late at night, with your wife, no less.”

“I’m—”

Grey swooped in next to me, taking my arm. “We’re newly married. Off to visit my aunt. Hoping to settle down before the baby comes.”

“The baby?” The woman’s gasp covered Kirsi’s snort and my own shock at his easy lie.

“Henry,” she said, turning to her husband, nearly faint.

“It takes a decent man to help a stranger on the road in the dark during these dangerous times. We’d like to return the favor. Come on up to the house, and we’ll see you fed and in a warm bed for the night.”

“Oh no, really, we couldn’t impose.” Grey played this game so well, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’d performed his fair share of twisted roles in his lifetime.

“Don’t be silly,” the elderly woman said. “We’ll have supper and visit like old friends.”

The woman, Victoria, I’d learned, had insisted I ride in the wagon, claiming my condition meant I needed rest. Grey walked behind, far away from the horse, and probably with Kirsi, while the man led us to his home.

Several times, the horse neighed and jerked. I wondered if Kirsi was messing with the animal instead of staying with Grey in the back. The short trip brought us to a modest home far grander than the cottage Kirsi and I had shared.

Within minutes, Victoria had lit her heavy iron stove, shoving small bits of wood inside its belly to heat the top. Grey and Henry had gone to the barn to put the horse in his stall and unhitch the wagon. Based on the way he’d lifted his shoulder to his ear, as they walked out, I guessed Kirsi had gone with him.

“If you go up the steps, your room is there on the right. I’ll call when supper is ready if you’d like to get settled in.”

“Thank you so much for your kindness.” I didn’t hesitate, eager to hide myself away rather than continue the lie these people didn’t deserve.

I wondered whether they would have turned us away if we’d been honest. Maybe not mentioning we were witches and had a wraith in tow, only that we were merely traveling companions. But I hadn’t missed the same book that the Seeker had been carrying, a golden circle painted onto the cover, on the woman’s kitchen table. They had their books, and we had ours. If the witches hadn’t yet gotten to them since Bastian’s d… I couldn’t even think the word.

The door swung open, and Grey stepped into the room, waiting a few seconds before shutting it behind him. Kirsi popped into view, and I nearly jumped, still not used to her new form.

Lifting a dusty pillow from the small bed, I threw it at Grey, who let it fall to the ground. “Married? Pregnant?”

He slid his hands into his pocket, rocking back on his heels. “You need to eat, Raven. And we both need sleep. The lie is harmless. It was the only way I could make sure we were allowed to room together.”

I flung my hands into the air. “What difference does that make?”

He took a step toward me. “We’re safer off the road this close to that town, and you know it. We need to stay together. We could have slept in the barn but probably not have eaten.” He paused, his massive shoulders rising and falling. “I would have warned you, but we came upon them in the dark, and I didn’t have time to think it through.”

“It’s ridiculous. I don’t even look like I’m expecting.” I jammed my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes. “It feels wrong to lie to hospitable people.”

Kirsi floated between us, her back to Grey as she snapped at me. “Calm down, Rave. You’ve got dinner and a safe place to sleep. That’s not a bad deal for someone who murdered two people today.”

The words struck like a fist to my gut. I stumbled backwards, clutching the skirt of my stolen dress in my fingers as I fought the tears that threatened to come forward. I didn’t have the right to those tears; not a single one.

“Woah.” Grey walked around Kirsi to stand between us, facing her. “That’s too far. She’s going to carry the weight of those lives for the rest of hers, and if you’re going to pin them on her, then I’d ask you what you would have done differently. Onyx was going to kill her. Would you rather he lived?” His voice lowered, taking a dangerous tone. “You cannot condemn her for what happened with Bastian. His blood is not on her hands. Let that shit go, Kir.”

My world rocked at his defense of me; his forgiveness.