The darkness had lightened just a touch, turning the treetops orange with approaching sunlight. The forest remained as black as always, but there was no fog to hold us within the camp.
I took another step forward, intent on using the rope foothold that would swing me to the ground.
“I wouldn’t do that, m’lady.” I turned sharply to face a young rebel with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “The commander has demanded you stay within your accommodations.”
“Where did you come from?” He shrugged, trying to hide his victorious smile. I let out a sigh. “And if I decide not to listen?”
His expression tightened with determination. “Then I’ll be forced to make you listen.”
“Brave words,” I acknowledged. “But I just don’t feel them.” He was a kitten compared to the men we’d met yesterday.
The young soldier pulled his blade free. “I feel them. I will stop you, m’lady, if you try to leave. With force if I have to.”
I resisted the urge to growl with frustration. “What if I promised you that we aren’t leaving? We’re just going for a morning stroll.”
“I will call for reinforcements,” he threatened.
I could take this child soldier easily enough, but I’d hardly make it across the courtyard if he yelled out for help.
“You are making my life very difficult right now,” I snarled at him.
“As you are making mine,” a deep voice roughened with sleep called out behind me.
Arrick. Dragon’s blood.
I stiffened, wondering at the skittering of shivers down my spine. I was loath to be caught after he’d offered kindness the night before. But I couldn’t allow myself to be held in his trap a moment longer. Oliver and I needed to be on our way. Without him.
I schooled my expression into placid control and turned to face him. “I was just giving you my answer regarding your offer, Commander.”
“By sneaking out?”
I looked him over and had to press my lips together to keep from smiling. In his rush to get dressed, he had put his shirt on backward and remained barefoot. But the very worst part of his disheveled state was that his leggings weren’t tied. They hung open inappropriately. I had to lock my eyes with his to keep from staring.
Although one quick glance confirmed there was nothing indecent peeping through.
Unfortunately.
“I was just…” I tried to keep a straight face. “You can’t blame me for trying. I’m an opportunist.”
That irritating eyebrow lifted. “Is that what you are?” He ran a hand through his mussed hair. “Tess, you are welcome to leave, if you must. But I can offer a hot breakfast if you’re willing to speak with me once more.”
Oliver’s stomach growled behind me. My stomach was just as unhappy, even if it didn’t do me the disservice of speaking up.
“We can wait through breakfast,” I allowed. “If you’re serious about our freedom.”
“As I said last night,” he huffed as he gripped his leggings with one hand. “You are my guests.”
Oliver and I backed up together. “Then I apologize for the, er, early commotion.” We slipped back into our lodging as quietly as we left it and collapsed with silent laughs—not because we were trying to remain quiet, but because we were laughing that hard.
An hour later, we’d washed, and I’d managed something civil with my hair. Oliver and I feasted on Quirick eggs and salted potato hash. Oliver had thirds while I stopped myself after two generous helpings.
Arrick joined us not long after we’d finished, flanked by Eret and Dravon. They moved around the small space, shrinking our cozy sanctuary with their size.
“My generals, Eret and Dravon,” Arrick introduced needlessly.
“We met them the other day,” I sneered. “They’re very good with ropes.”
“That they are. And with combat. You’d be wise to accept my help and have these men ride at your side.”
“If I were wise, I wouldn’t have ended up in their trap to begin with,” I countered.
Arrick’s eyes flashed with frustration, “Tess, see reason.”
“Why are you so determined to accompany us? Yesterday, you were happy to leave me to hang in the Blood Woods. Today I cannot be rid of you. What changed?” I felt the presence of the crown in the room. He’d said he hadn’t looked through the pack, but he could have been lying.
Arrick stepped forward, his hands held out in front of him. “This realm is dangerous. A girl like you, without protection, will be eaten up within days. It’s my civic responsibility to make sure you arrive at your destination unharmed.”
“I have protection,” I nodded toward Oliver.
“Real protection,” Arrick clarified.
“Hey!” Oliver protested.
Oliver might not have looked like much, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would protect me with his life. And he was proficient with a number of weapons. He was not the scrawny, skinny boy he appeared to be. And yet we’d still managed to be caught.
My thoughts moved to the crown. If Arrick had found the crown, even if he’d merely glimpsed it, he would have already killed me. The crown was all that was needed to take control of this failing realm. With it, he could elevate his army from rebel to royal. If my uncle was truly that incompetent at running the realm, then the crown and a new king would be enticing to a kingdom in ruin.
But I also didn’t believe he felt any obligation to me, civil or otherwise. He was a rebel, a hunted bandit. He didn’t hold respect for this land or the sovereigns that ruled it. He certainly wouldn’t care what happened to a stranger.
I stood, matching him as closely in height as I was able. “I need more than your civic duty, Commander. I need reasons I can actually trust.”
“Despite what you believe, Stranger, my army does in fact want peace. We fight to protect the helpless of the realm, the victims that Tyrn wishes to crush beneath his
