The Beauty of Darkness - Mary E. Pearson Page 0,18
the horizon.
Seven stars. Maybe all the destruction wasn’t flung from the heavens.
Maybe there had been a dragon of many faces, even then.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RAFE
Lia’s question stuck with me. Why in the gods’ names would you keep it?
I had fumbled for answers because I didn’t know myself. When I found the gown, I had cursed her repeatedly as I untangled it from the thorny branches. I’m the crown prince of Dalbreck for the gods’ sake. Why am I cleaning up after a spoiled runaway? When I freed the gown and held it up, I was even angrier. I wasn’t one to dwell on fabrics or fashion like Jeb, but even I could see its matchless beauty. Her complete disregard for the careful work that had gone into it only fueled my fury. But that still didn’t explain why I went to the trouble to stuff it in my bag.
I knew now. It wasn’t to burn it or wave it in her face. It was something I wouldn’t even admit to myself at the time. It was the warrant for her arrest I had heard about. Her own father was hunting her down like she was an animal. I’d stuffed the dress in my bag because I knew eventually someone else would come. I didn’t want one of them to find the dress—or her.
I finally reached a crest where I had an open view of the trail behind us. I waited, studying the landscape. How many more excuses could I conjure for Lia? This time I claimed I was scouting for the ridge that led to the valley we would reach today. I didn’t want her to worry needlessly, but now there was reason to worry. I spotted what I suspected all along and rode back to tell the others.
“Go,” I whispered to Tavish. “Less than a quarter mile back. Circle around to the south. There’s good cover, and you’ll be downwind in case the horses make noise. I couldn’t see how many through the trees. I’ll stay here with her.”
Tavish nodded, and they rode off.
I loosened the strap on my sheath and gripped my hilt just as Lia limped back from a brief trip behind some brambles. She saw them riding away, and an annoyed crease furrowed her brow. “Now, where are they going?”
I shrugged. “I spotted a flock of geese, and they’re all craving a juicy goose for dinner tonight.”
“I don’t understand. I thought we were in a hurry to get to the valley floor.”
“We’re making good time, and we do need to eat tonight.”
Her eyes narrowed. “All of them needed to go?”
I turned away, using the premise of searching for something in my saddlebag. “Why not?” I said. “Orrin’s not the only one who likes to hunt.”
I felt the silence at my back, and I pictured her with her hands on her hips. I didn’t think she’d buy it again.
When I turned, her head was angled with accusation.
“I spotted something through the trees when I was out,” I explained. “It was a long way off. I’m certain it was only a herd of deer, but they’re going to go check just to be sure.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
I knew it wasn’t deer.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Then an hour.
“Should we go look for them?” I asked.
“No,” Rafe insisted, but I saw him circling. Positioning the horses. His hand returning to his hilt again and again.
Finally we heard the ruffled nicker of a horse through the trees, and we both spun toward the sound.
Tavish emerged from the forest, leading two horses behind him. “Well, well, well,” he crowed. “You were right. Look what we found.”
The others followed behind him, and when Sven and his horse moved aside, I gasped.
By the gods. It couldn’t be.
I hobbled forward, but Rafe stretched his hand out to stop me.
Orrin and Jeb had their bows drawn, arrows aimed with razor-sharp concentration at Kaden’s and Griz’s hearts as they walked them into our camp. It was as if they didn’t trust a sword to bring down Griz and a safe distance was their best strategy. Sven had already relieved them of their weapons.
Rafe approached them, eyeing Kaden. Kaden returned his frigid stare. My breath froze in my chest. Nothing had changed between them. Their gazes were heavy with threat, though Kaden was in no position to threaten anyone.
“So we meet again, Prince Jaxon.”
“So we do,” Rafe replied, his voice as brittle as the air. “But it looks as if you’ve traveled a long way for nothing. Stupid sot.”