explore. Aside from that, this was a good time to test them. They were in a public place and there would be others around to help if they did turn out to be the kind of men she shouldn’t trust.
She didn’t hesitate any longer. The men set to watch her might stop her before she left the square, but being cautious wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She wanted to give it a try before she decided it was impossible. Without glancing around to see who was watching, she simply began walking for one of the exits to the square.
When she reached it, she fully expected to be stopped and questioned. She held her breath. Her tension grew with each step she took. When she managed to get down the street and around a corner, she exhaled and looked back over her shoulder just to see if they were following her. She didn’t recognize any people along the lane.
Shrugging, she turned and began walking down the narrow street again. If they wanted her to stop, they were going to have to come after her. She wasn’t going to go back. This might be the one time she could wander free without too much worry. Laed and Kynar would follow eventually, but she thought she was safe for now. Well, aside from having to deal with Colm and Linc’s anger. That was something she knew she’d have to face soon, but she was going to enjoy herself in the meantime.
She enjoyed looking at the houses as she tried to find the market. Although the color of the buildings changed, the style and the dark-brown trim remained the same. She wandered through the streets until she finally came to the market.
Brightly colored awnings hung over the tables and stalls lining the market street. People moved slowly down the street or perused the wares available. A smile curved her lips as she moved into the bustling area. Inhaling, she took in the exotic smells. The scent of spices and flowers filled her senses. She moved from one stall to the other, mainly looking because she really didn’t need anything. A stall of necklaces and bracelets did draw her back more than once. She admired the beautiful jewelry on display.
“There you are. You’re supposed to be back there in the square. Colm and Linc have definitely noticed you’re missing.” Avan’s hand turned her as he came up beside her.
“So they’ve noticed I’m missing.” She shrugged and shot Avan a look. She didn’t know why he was worried about it. “I technically don’t have to follow their orders. They aren’t my Ardin.”
Avan shook his head and she heard him groan. “This isn’t the time for you to start getting your spirit back. And you know they consider you more than some guest who’s free to come and go as she pleases. I’ve seen the way they watch you.”
“And when is the time for me to get my spirit back?” She smiled because he was right. She was slowly returning to normal and that was something that she hadn’t expected to happen, especially not while she was with any sort of Thent.
“Don’t try to ignore the rest of what I said. You’re just lucky I heard them asking about you as I was coming around the corner. They didn’t see me. Let’s go back to the square before someone else finds you.” Avan took her arm and tugged gently.
“Avan, I don’t need you protecting me from them,” she sighed. Although it was nice of him to try, in a way, she needed to know what they would do if she made them really angry.
“I don’t think you mean it the way I want you to, do you?” Avan smiled. “You’re a long way from trusting them enough to know that they’d never hurt you as you fear. I know you don’t need me to protect you, but let me make this time easier. You can test them later once you know more about them.”
“Why shouldn’t I test them now? What’s going to change between now and whenever I know more about them?” She began walking with him, but wasn’t agreeing to let him help her. Whatever that entailed.
“When you know more of them, you’ll know that you’re not in the same kind of danger you lived through with Laed and Kynar. Colm and Linc aren’t vicious. They can control their tempers.” Avan began leading her back through the narrow streets to the square.