The Frozen Prince (The Beast Charmer #2) - Maxym M. Martineau Page 0,59

told me what was going on.

“Yes.” His answer was low, barely audible. My gaze flickered to Kost and Oz. Did he not want them to know? No, that couldn’t be it. Kost knew something.

“Now that we’re on the road…” I let my voice trail off, hoping he’d pick up where we left off last night.

He didn’t.

“How was Gaige while you were in Hireath?”

“What?” I blinked.

Noc remained unreadable. “Did Gaige say anything that struck you as odd?”

My mind rewound to the previous day’s events. “He was a little taken aback by the ingredients needed to tame an Azad, but other than that, he seemed fine. I only spoke to him after my acceptance into the Council.”

“I see.”

“Noc, what’s going on?” I edged closer, placing a gentle hand on his forearm. “Why are you asking about Gaige? Did he do something?”

“No.” Noc shook his head. “We just don’t know who to trust.”

“Including me?”

He frowned and finally met my gaze. “What are you talking about?”

It was so hard not to scream out of frustration. I let loose a long breath. “We’re not in Cruor anymore. You said you’d tell me what’s going on once we were on the road. Well”—I gestured wide to include the path near our camp—“we’re officially on the road.”

He tensed, then looked away. “It’s not that simple.”

“Isn’t it? Noc, I need you to talk to me.”

“I will. It’s just…” He ran a rigid hand through his hair, then spied Kost near one of our tents. “I need to check the perimeter. The last thing we need is another surprise attack from Darrien or a monster from the woods.”

“Wait, I’ll—”

“Kost.” He cut me off, calling to his brother. “Let’s go.”

And then he walked away. Again. Shadows swallowed them whole in a matter of seconds, and he was gone. My hands curled to fists by my side, and I stormed toward the tent meant for him and me.

Oz looked up from the fire. “You hungry? I can throw something together.”

“Thanks, but I don’t really have an appetite. I’m calling it a night.” Peeling open the tent flaps, I went inside and set about the task of arranging the hides and blankets for my makeshift bed. After changing into my nightclothes, I fell into the bed in a huff and stared up at the faded-green canvas. Aside from the crackling fire and the occasional shuffle from Oz as he moved about, I heard nothing.

Time moved slowly as I waited for Noc to return. I envisioned him sweeping into the tent, the perfect picture of remorse as he apologized for leaving me high and dry, and then diving into the story of his past. Or filling me in about whatever secrets he and Kost kept. Anything. Anything to make these false promises ring true.

But as the hours passed, nothing changed, and I was forced to fall asleep alone and angry.

* * *

When I awoke the next morning, the blankets beside me were cool, as if they’d never been occupied. I quickly changed and emerged from the tent to find the men had been busy. Everything, save my sleeping arrangements, had already been packed. The Zeelahs, readied. Oz greeted me with a smile and breakfast—cooling coffee, a hunk of bread, and dried fruit. Kost nodded a hello and then immediately started to break down my tent.

Noc stood by and watched it all. His gaze flicked to me for a moment, and his shoulders slumped. Just a fraction. Then he pressed a chaste kiss on the top of my head before turning away to help Kost.

Anger simmered deep in my gut. How could he not see the damage he was doing by keeping me in the dark? Brushing away the crumbs of breakfast on my breeches, I headed for my Zeelah. The next time I got Noc alone, I would force him to talk. Even if it meant summoning Iky to hold him in place so he couldn’t disappear on me.

We rode hard for hours, but even the rub of the saddle against my legs didn’t chafe like the tense silence that stretched between Noc and me. At one point, he nudged his mount faster so he could ride beside Kost instead of me.

“How are you feeling?” Kost murmured, his words barely audible. I leaned forward, straining to hear their muted conversation.

“I’m managing,” Noc said. His rigid spine suggested otherwise. “I’m thinking…feeling things that aren’t real.” He seemed to choke out the words, then shook his head. “We can talk later. I don’t want anyone