I’m still considering his words when he sighs heavily.
“I miss them. They were kind masters.”
My gaze drifts to Cael. I share everything with him except for the part about the lifeforce bond. For some reason, I cannot make myself tell him about it because I still do not even understand it myself. Nox is right. I feel connected to Cael, but it’s all so confusing.
Memories of my past life blur with this one and I’m not sure if these feelings are entirely my own or merely echoes of the past. I trust Cael, but I don’t want to get caught up in this now. We still don’t know what we’re going to find when we reach the tomb and find the crown. Right now, we just need to focus on completing our task and finding a way home. And hopefully, Lynx and Astra will show up and help us figure all of this out.
Chapter 23
Cael
The past few days, the air has been heavy with moisture. Dark gray clouds hang overhead as if promising rain, but it has yet to appear. I’m hoping it does not until we are well past this area. Judging by the storm we experienced back at Willow’s house, I doubt our tarp would do much to keep us dry.
Farther ahead, the softly glowing light of the next town illuminates the landscape all around it. Surrounded by a tall wooden barrier, it appears almost like a fort. I wonder what they are trying to keep out.
The sun sinks low on the horizon, and I am hesitant to enter this new place tonight. Something about it feels ominous, but I do not know why. I trust my instincts however. They’ve never led me astray before and I doubt they will now. I turn back to Kyra. “I think we should camp in the forest tonight.”
“Why?”
“Something… seems off about this place.”
“All right.” She nods. “I trust you. We’ll find a good place to camp, then go through the town tomorrow.” She looks to Nox and then pats his neck. “We’ll get you some tomorrow. I promise.”
I arch a brow, wondering what he’s talked her into now. I’m glad she has discovered she can converse with animals, but it makes for awkward conversation sometimes since I do not know for sure if she’s speaking to me or Nox and Halen.
“What are you promising him now?” I tease.
She has promised Nox lots of things on this journey—carrots, apples, grain, a fresh bed of hay to spend the night on something soft, freedom when we reach our destination. The list is actually becoming rather long. Nox is very demanding.
“I promised him grain tomorrow. He’s tired of grass.”
I smile and wink at Nox. “Grain you shall have, my friend.” I gently pat Halen’s neck. “And what about you?”
“She says grain will suffice for her as well,” Kyra smiles.
We make our way into the woods. I train my ears both to the forest and the road behind us, listening for any sounds we are being followed, that we are not alone here. I notice nothing but the nocturnal noise of the animals that make their homes in the woods, but I still lead us farther into the thicket to hide our camp from prying eyes.
As soon as we dismount, a loud crack of thunder startles us both. Lifting my gaze to the sky, I watch as lightning arcs across the dark clouds. The heavens open up. Heavy rain pelts the earth in thick sheets. Nox and Halen’s eyes are wide, and I know they are on edge.
“They can’t stay out in this.” Kyra gestures to the horses before she wraps her arms around her shivering form. “It’s too cold for them. And for us,” she adds through chattering teeth.
We make our way back to the road. The rains have turned the ground into slush. The thick mud makes it difficult for the horses to navigate, and I worry they will fall. Kyra and I dismount and lead them by their halters as we carefully pick our way through the sludge to the gates of the town.
As we draw closer, I marvel again at the wooden fort-like wall around the entire settlement. A wooden archway curves over the main entrance with the name of the town in big, bold letters: Orydon. Two massive wooden doors bar the entrance and I wonder at how many men it takes to open and close these mammoth structures.
I knock, and a piece of wood slides to the side in a small square cutout that’s right near the level of my chin, revealing a pair of beady eyes.
“What business do you have here, stranger?” he grumbles.
“We need a place to shelter for the night… for us,” I gesture to Kyra, “and our horses.”
Despite the fact she’s wearing a hooded cloak that shadows her face, his eyes widen as they alight on her. I do not like the way his lust-filled gaze travels up and down her form.
“Is there a place we may shelter?” I ask, drawing his attention back to me, my voice coming out more gruff than I’d intended.
“Aye. There is a place. The Queen’s Inn. I’ll tell you how to find it.”
He closes the small opening, and a moment later, the doors begin to swing open. The large wooden structures groan as they are pulled back by four men, allowing us to enter.
All four of them eye Kyra as we pass. Fierce possessiveness fills me, and I wrap my arm around her waist, tugging her to my side. I do not want to leave any doubt in their minds she is with me, and I will protect her.
The first man points us in the direction of the inn, and we start on our way. The town has definitely seen better days. Many of the wooden stores and houses are worn and rundown. Roofs of thatch are caved
