better protect herself thrummed inside of her.
“I know they wouldn’t let me outside the walls if they knew of any danger to me.” She wrung her hands together. The problem was they weren’t facing an army here. It was just two men. Two men could hide in an area undetected for months if they were careful.
“You think there’s danger here? One of the false Ardin? Have you seen something?” Tyson’s hand covered the pommel of his sword.
“No, I haven’t seen anything.” It burned to admit that, but she wasn’t going to lie. As intense as the feelings were, she wasn’t sure yet if it was simple anxiety or if this was the same as one of the dreams she’d had. The only problem was she hadn’t seen any images or scenes as she did with those and she definitely wasn’t asleep.
“Why don’t you take a few deep breaths and try to relax. I know you have reason to be nervous of them. Push all thoughts of those two men out of your head and focus only on today. Don’t let them ruin these moments of freedom.” Tyson looked down at her and waited.
She took a deep breath. It helped calm her racing heart a little, but the feeling persisted. His words seemed to resonate in her head. If this was simple fear, she couldn’t let it control her. She didn’t know if it was more, but she’d need more than just vague feelings before she would let it turn her back.
“I’m ready to walk on now.” She smiled at Tyson, but her gut was still tight with the fear and her mouth felt as dry as a desert. She’d managed to push past the emotion and instinct, but it still clamored inside her. For now, she’d try her best to enjoy the walk. She wasn’t letting the fear rule her. At least, she’d try.
They moved along the road. Although she tried to focus on relaxing, the anxiety thrummed through her with every step. It became hard to concentrate on anything aside from the rising urgency of the feelings. Light flashed in front of her eyes. She stopped and turned her head, looking around the area. Maybe it was a bird. The thought had no sooner crossed her mind than images slammed into her head.
A hand clenched around a knife. Kynar’s face swam before her eyes, his mouth twisted into a sneer. Blood running over the grass and dirt, pooling beside a still hand.
Feelings rushed through her and she didn’t know where they were all coming from. She didn’t know anything except that some of them weren’t hers. Hatred and anger battered at her as fear and guilt swelled. Her stomach lurched and she gagged. One hand flew to her mouth and the other rubbed at her temple as the horizon tilted crazily in front of her. Her knees felt weak and wobbly, but she managed to stay on her feet.
“What’s wrong?” Tyson’s hand gently touched her shoulder, drawing her attention.
She looked at his arm. That had been his hand she’d seen on the ground with blood pooling near it. She’d thought she needed more than the feelings as proof and she’d gotten it. Her stomach clenched and churned again. If they went any closer to the forest, he was going to be hurt.
“We’re going back to the Thent now.” She exhaled a shuddering breath. No more denying the urging of her instincts. Even if someone only got hurt, she wouldn’t take that risk. The guilt would eat at her, knowing she could have stopped it from happening.
“Are you hurt or sick? You’re a little pale.” Tyson frowned and his head tilted to the side.
“I’m fine. We’re heading back now. I’ve come far enough.” She straightened and tried to breathe through the clench and heave of her stomach.
“Do you need some time? Because if you want, we can simply stay here and talk until you feel more relaxed.” Tyson looked at her patiently.
She drew in another breath and closed her eyes. He must think she was letting her fear rule her again. She was afraid, but she knew it was more than her emotions. They were there and waiting. She wasn’t going to give them the chance to hurt anyone today.
“I don’t need time. I want to go back now.” She kept her voice even and firm. She wasn’t changing her mind. Any wavering might make him think she was unsure. She turned back to the Thent.
“There are plenty of men