one of my ideas has ever been considered good, my friend.”
Arrick started walking again, “And yet I find myself grateful for at least half of them.”
“M’lady”
I squeaked, ashamed of being caught eavesdropping. “Eret, you scared me.”
His eyes narrowed with suspicion, “What are you doing?”
Ice cold dread washed through me and I worked my mouth a few times before sound ever came out. “Sh-Shiksa.”
“What?”
“I’m looking for Shiksa.”
“She’s there.” He pointed at my hip.
“What?”
Eret stepped forward and gestured to my satchel. “I see her white tail, Lady Tess. She’s there, in your pack.”
I looked down.
Then it got worse.
“Eret?” Arrick rounded the tree. “What are you—Tess?”
Thinking of no other logical thing to say, I exclaimed, “Shiksa! You bad little beastie. There you are!” It was only made worse by her happily twitching tail sticking from the pouch. I pulled her from the satchel, ignoring the deep dig of her small claws. She mewled, annoyed that I’d pulled her from sleep. “I thought I lost you.” I nuzzled her nose to hide the shameful blush blooming across my cheeks.
“What is going on?” Arrick demanded.
Eret cleared his throat. “The fox was lost, Sir. Lady Tess had misplaced her.” I felt his accusing gaze. “In her satchel.”
“The same satchel she is never without?” Arrick added.
Eret nodded once, “The very one.”
I turned to face both men. “She’s small,” I reminded them. “And I am tired.”
They stared at me.
“Anyway, now that I have found her, I need to ready my horse. If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen.”
I promptly sidestepped both men and set off for the pen. By the time I rounded the tree, there was no sign of Gunter. I breathed out, happy that I didn’t also have to face him.
“The Cavolia will be joining us on our ride,” Arrick announced as he matched his pace to mine.
My blush deepened as I tried to feign surprise. “Oh? They have business in Elysia?”
“Of sorts.”
Curiosity surged through me. “What other reason could they have for traveling with us? Surely such a large party will draw unnecessary attention.”
“The Cavolia are known for their large clan. If anything, their presence will camouflage ours.”
I mulled that over as he opened the gate to the horse pen and let me through first. The earth was softer here, trampled by heavy hoofs. I walked around the edge of the fence in search of the pretty lady that was to carry me home. Arrick stayed by my side.
“Perhaps,” I allowed. “But I barely trust you and your rebel army. What am I to do with a horde of thieves and mercenaries?”
Arrick stepped in front of me, halting me in my steps. His large body leaned against the fence and his hand fell to my shoulder to hold me in place. The expression on his face darkened and a storm flashed in his blue eyes. I swallowed against the fluttering of panic in my chest.
“They will not harm you, Tess.”
“I know.” Although I didn’t.
His expression intensified. “You are holding secrets, Tess. Elysia means more to you than you’re letting on. Share them with me so that I can help you.”
My tongue lay like stone in my mouth, heavy and gritty. My heart pounded. The last thing I could reveal was my secrets.
His voice dropped low and coaxing when he said, “Tell me, Tess. I want to help you, but I have to know the truth first.”
Grasping at the fine threads of resolve unraveling inside me, I whispered, “I have told you everything that I can, Arrick. There is no great secret, only a wish to go home. Your help is appreciated but not necessary. If I am a burden on you, then I can be on my way and you may be on yours and we shall never meet hereafter.”
He stepped forward, closing the small distance between us. “I did not suggest we should part ways, Stranger. Merely that the more information I have, the better I can protect you.”
“And yet I do not need you to protect me.”
His blue gaze narrowed. “Experience disagrees with you.”
I bit my bottom lip to keep from snapping at him. “I need to ready my horse, Commander. If you would move.”
Frustration ticked in his jaw. His eyes moved to the strap of my satchel and down to the pouch that rested at my hip. I cradled Shiksa against my chest with one hand and moved my other to rest on my waist, an innocent gesture if one did not consider the hilt of my blade just an inch away from my