“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
She snorted. The man shouldn’t assume he knew how she felt. Even if he was right.
“We’ll be entering a canyon soon, and the path will become steep and narrow. Let me take her. For safety’s sake.” He reached for the child.
As the back of his hand grazed against Gwennore’s ribs, she sucked in a breath. A fluttering feeling started in her stomach and inched up to her chest.
Silently, she watched as he settled the sleeping girl on his lap. The fluttering feeling crept into her heart, and she inhaled, suddenly realizing that she’d been holding her breath. This man was affecting her too much. But how amazing that a warrior like him could also be so gentle. He would make a wonderful father.
His gaze lifted to her eyes, and her heart grew still. Time seemed to stretch out as she lost herself in the glittering green of his eyes. Suddenly, somehow, it felt like she’d known this man more than a day. She’d always known him. She’d been born knowing him. She’d only been waiting for him to make his appearance.
A glint of gold flickered in his eyes, then he blinked and looked away. His chest expanded as he took a deep breath, and Gwennore also looked away, suddenly feeling embarrassed. What on Aerthlan had come over her?
Behind them, Aleksi cleared his throat.
“We should be going,” General Dravenko said quietly as he urged his horse to take the lead.
They rode for another half an hour, then the trail led them into a narrow canyon that the river had carved through a mountain. The sound of rushing water became so loud that it drowned out all other noises. The light dimmed as the increasing shade cast them into a cool and eerie twilight. They were forced to go in single file, the general taking the lead and the young captain, Aleksi, riding behind Gwennore. After seeing them off, Dimitri had stayed behind at Draven Castle. She assumed he was exhausted after guarding the nursery all night.
Just thinking about exhaustion made Gwennore yawn. Her rump was aching something fierce now, along with her back. And the sight of General Dravenko in front of her wasn’t helping. Why was he affecting her so much? Was he the tall and handsome stranger promised by the Telling Stones?
She shook her head. She shouldn’t give any credit to a silly game. It was no more real than the so-called curse she was going to investigate.
Eventually they came around a bend, leaving the canyon behind and emerging into bright sunshine. Gwennore’s breath caught at the beautiful sight before her. The path headed downhill, weaving its way back and forth until it reached a wide valley. The river beside them spilled over a cliff in a spectacular waterfall, then grew wider and tamer as it meandered through the valley.
From their lookout point, Gwennore could see a village nestled close to the river, along with several boats and barges tied off at the long pier.
Soon they were approaching the village, and people wandered into the main street to gawk at the visitors. They seemed to recognize the general, Gwennore thought, for many of the older men saluted him and older women bobbed small curtsies. He called out to some of them by name.
She looked curiously about. The homes were small but tidy. The kitchen gardens green and well tended. Longhaired cattle and fluffy white sheep grazed in nearby fields. Freshly baked bread scented the air and reminded her that she’d missed breakfast and hardly eaten any dinner the night before.
As they passed through the village, she saw more of the people. Odd, but it seemed like everyone was elderly. Only a few were middle-aged. She glanced around again. No young adults or children? Perhaps they preferred to live in the bigger towns like Vorushka.
With her thoughts elsewhere, she was slow to hear the hushed whispers emanating from the villagers.
Is that an elfin woman? Why is General Dravenko traveling with her?
Is the little girl his? Is she his love child?
Has he been sleeping with an elf?
Oh, no! The general would never do anything that horrible!
When they reached the pier, the general stopped his horse and turned in his saddle to address the crowd. “Good people, I would like to introduce you to Lady Gwennore, whom I regard as a trusted ally and friend. I expect you to honor her with the same trust and respect that you hold for me as your Lord Protector.”
“Yes, my lord.” The words rumbled reluctantly through the small crowd.
They were still eyeing her with suspicion, but Gwennore couldn’t blame them for that. Some of them might have lost family members in the war against Woodwyn.
“Lady Gwennore has been visiting us with the young Eberoni princess here,” General Dravenko continued. “We’re returning the little girl to her parents today in Eberon. I would appreciate any blankets you could spare to make the princess more comfortable.”
The villagers scurried off to their homes, and soon they had made a comfortable pallet on the floor of the barge. On a table close by, they left several baskets full of food.
After making sure Eviana was sleeping soundly on the pallet, Gwennore sat at the table with Aleksi to enjoy a late breakfast. Meanwhile, the general was overseeing the crewmen as they readied the barge for departure.
Thanks to the river’s steady current, the barge began to move smoothly downriver. Gwennore leaned back in her chair, enjoying a thick slice of buttered bread while watching the lovely scenery.
Once again, she thought she heard the murmur of whispered voices coming to her on a breeze. The sound seemed to be coming from the forests, though, and not the sky.
“Do you hear anything?” she asked Aleksi.
With his mouth full of food, he nodded and motioned to the general and crewmen talking at the back of the barge.
“No, it’s coming from—” A shadow fell over the table, and she glanced up and spotted a dragon
