Besotted (The Fairest Maidens #3) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,56

spot in the river where I’d been attacked by the boar, we rested in a low part of the bank, exchanging our cloaks and the cane. Once I was through the hidden cavern, I’d find a walking stick so I could traverse the forest with haste. But until then, I would manage as best I could without.

As Jorg stood, imitated my limping gait, and moved upriver, I remained hidden, watching until well after he disappeared. When I’d tarried long enough for possible trackers to trail after him, I crept downriver, keeping low and hiding behind boulders, praying the river would wash away my tracks.

The sky sparkled overhead with dozens of constellations, and the waning moon was a thin crescent, providing just enough light, but hopefully not enough to give away my position. Though the water level of the river was low for early October, at least the gurgling was sufficient to mask my soft wading as I made my way toward the secret cavern.

When I reached the place, I again waited for an interminable amount of time before I crawled from the river into the brush, being careful to stay low and leave no indication of my presence for anyone who might attempt to follow me.

Once I was through the passageway and on the other side, I took a deep breath of relief, used my axe to hew a walking stick, and made my way toward the cottage. With some of the trees having already lost leaves, the starlight penetrated through the canopy of branches, aiding my attempts to trace the right path.

I surprised myself at how swiftly I was able to travel in spite of how tired and sore I was. My eagerness for Aurora drove me. And the closer I got, the more my anticipation mounted until I was nearly breathless with the need to see and hold her.

All day as I’d labored, I’d marveled over the revelation that she was a queen. I’d been so blinded by my feelings for her that I’d ignored all the clues that had been right before me, including her desire to learn to dance, her interest in the goings-on of court life, and even her authority with Chester that had surfaced from time to time.

Not that I’d been searching for Mercia’s hidden queen. In fact, I hadn’t given it much thought during the entire time I’d lived in the forest.

As I entered the coppiced woodland that surrounded the kilns, I slowed my steps and proceeded with more caution. If Chester happened to be outside at the late hour, he’d slit my throat before I could identify myself.

When I reached the edge of the clearing, I stopped and scanned the area. In the starlight, I could distinguish the faint outline of the cottage nestled against blackthorn and ivy. The shutters were closed and the chimney smokeless.

I didn’t wish to disturb their slumber, but I needed to warn Aurora—and Chester—of the danger. I’d give him instructions and then leave. As much as I’d be tempted to linger or even to offer to accompany Aurora, I couldn’t. I’d only slow them down.

My muscles tensed with undeniable eagerness. I crossed to the front door and knocked quietly. “’Tis I, Kresten.”

I expected Chester to be there within moments, but as the seconds ticked by, my nerves began to knot. Something wasn’t right.

I knocked again, this time louder, but was met with the same deathly silence. With mounting trepidation, I tried the handle only to find the door was unlocked and it swung wide open, unhindered by Chester’s imposing frame.

The living area was dark, the usual glow from the banked coals of the hearth gone. Even so, I could see enough to know Chester wasn’t sleeping in his usual spot on the floor. The quietness of the house was too permanent. And the stillness too eerie.

I crossed to the bedchamber, praying Aurora was slumbering but dreading what I’d find instead. Though I couldn’t see through the blackness to the bed, the room contained a chill that told me it hadn’t been heated that day.

Even before I moved farther into the room and patted at the unoccupied straw mattress, my gut told me she wasn’t here.

I straightened, my heart thudding with the urgency to discover where Aurora had gone and why. In the time I’d been gone, had Queen Margery already discovered her and taken her captive?

At a squeak of a floorboard in the living area, I froze. Someone had followed me into the cottage. And it wasn’t