Fear of Fire and Shadow (The Fade #1) - Samantha Young Page 0,20

and with renewed energy, the Guard loped into a gallop, the men and the cart trailing behind us.

Seemingly familiar with the town, Wolfe took us straight to a large inn on the outskirts. I was thankful we wouldn’t be trotting through the quiet cobbled streets at this time, waking everyone from their beds.

The innkeeper, a tall, stout woman with arms like rolling pins, came swaggering out to us, undaunted by our appearance. I smiled. Her robust confidence reminded me of Cook.

“Well, what a fine sight!” she called heartily as Wolfe dismounted. They shook hands, and it became clear that she and Wolfe were already acquainted.

“You bring me much business, Captain Wolfe.” She nodded to us all, her eyes landing on me. She dipped me a graceful curtsy at complete odds with her ambling gait. “My lady!” she called up to me. I was beginning to realize that this woman never spoke—she barked. “Well.” She turned to Wolfe. “You’ll be needing a room for that fine lass. As for you and your men, I have five rooms free that I’m sure a good few can share. The rest will need to bunk in the stables.”

“That’s fine,” Wolfe assured her. He spun around to address Lieutenant Chaeron who dismounted. “Lieutenant, you’ll take the room in the inn nearest to Lady Rogan’s. Assess the size of the other rooms and calculate how many of our men can comfortably share them. I’ll bunk in the stables with the rest.”

Taken aback by Wolfe’s decision to sleep in the stables, I forgot myself and began to dismount. I was almost to the ground when I felt a hand on my lower back. I knew his scent before I even turned. “I can manage.”

“I know,” Wolfe replied flatly. “But appearances, my lady, appearances.”

I huffed in indignation.

“Child,” he muttered and then took my arm like a gentleman. I tried to escape but he held me fast. “Can you behave for one night, Lady Rogan?” he hissed. “I have to show you to your room.”

“You’re such a fusspot.” Yet I allowed him to escort me. I gaped in wonder at the openness of the inn. To our left was an arched doorway that led into a spacious eating area and bar. A fire crackled in a large hearth at one end and I shivered at the thought of its delicious heat. To our right was a narrow hallway I surmised led to guest rooms, and before us an open stairway led to the rooms upstairs.

“Room 11, Captain.” The innkeeper approached, grinning broadly. She thrust the key toward us and Wolfe took it before I could.

“Thank you, Mags, you’re the best.”

She blushed at his smile and I groaned inwardly. Dear haven, if a woman like Mags fell for Wolfe’s charm, no woman alive, except me, was safe.

“I’m sure I can find the room all by myself. I’m a big girl, you know.”

He grunted and led me upstairs.

The room was surprisingly nice. A four-poster bed with clean cotton sheets and woven quilts sat at one end, and lo and behold, a lovely fire flickered brilliantly at the other. Very nice.

“I’ll have Mags bring you up a meal.” Wolfe strode around the room, peering here and there. What in haven was he looking for? “Everything seems in order.” He marched stiffly to the doorway.

“What? No rookery thieves hiding behind the changing screen?” I asked sarcastically.

I was rewarded with a disdainful look. “Just lock the door behind me.”

I shrugged in answer just to annoy him. As the door was closing in his wake, he said, “And stop flirting with my men, my lady. Some of them are married.”

My cheeks flamed in outrage and the door took the brunt of my thrown traveling bag.

Chapter 7

Although Wolfe had promised to take it a little easier after having hurried us through the first day, he kept up what I considered a grueling pace. He only gave us a fifteen-minute respite, and although I understood (more than anyone) the importance of retrieving the plant in good time, I didn’t think we’d get there any faster if we all died from exhaustion. Moreover, the men were befuddled by how quickly we journeyed on, considering this was supposed to be a casual diplomatic trip.

I managed to antagonize Wolfe into giving us a half-hour respite instead.

By the third day of our journey, we were close to reaching the northern border of Sabithia. The previous night we were provided shelter by one of the wealthiest farmers I had ever met. Chaeron