"He doesn't have any, my lady. He doesn't need any for what they use him for."
I winced at her words.
"So be it." I wrapped him in my cloak and with Boraxis's help, we took him from the house even while Acheron protested every step of the way. My legs and hands were shaking in fear that we would be discovered any moment by Estes or one of his servants.
Luckily the maid knew every back way through the house and out to the street.
Somehow, we made it to a rented enclosed herio behind the house. Boraxis got up on top to ride with the driver while Acheron and I rode inside. Alone.
Together.
I didn't really breathe again until Estes's house had faded and we were outside the city walls, across the bridge and on the road that would eventually take us to the docks.
Acheron sat in the corner, looking outside through the small windows and saying nothing.
His eyes were dead. Lifeless. As if he'd seen one horror too many.
"Do you need a doctor?" I asked.
He shook his head no.
I wanted to soothe and comfort him, but wasn't sure if anything on this earth could do that.
We rode in complete silence until we reached a small village. The driver changed horses while we entered a small home to wait. I rented a room from an older woman so that we could wash and rest in peace.
Boraxis somehow found or bought Acheron clothes. They were somewhat small for him and rough in texture, but he didn't complain. He merely took them and dressed himself inside the rented room.
I noticed Acheron had a limp as he came out of the room to where I waited in the narrow hallway. My heart ached at the thought of his walking on his bruised feet and yet he still said no words of complaint.
"Come, Acheron, we should eat while we can."
Panic flared in his eyes. It was instantly followed by a look of resignation.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
He didn't respond. He merely pulled the cowl of his cloak over his head as if to shield himself from the world. With his head held low and his arms wrapped around himself, he followed me to the small dining room below.
I headed for a table in the back, near the hearth.
"Who do I have to pay for the food?" Acheron asked quietly, his face completely shielded by his cowl.
I looked up at him with a frown. "You have money?"
He looked as baffled by my question as I was by his.
"If he can't work, he can't eat. He hasn't earned his food this day." My stomach shrank as I remembered what Estes had said. Tears choked me.
He thought I wanted him to . . .
"I will pay for our food, Acheron, with money."
The relief on his face tugged even more at my heart.
I sat down. Acheron moved around the table and knelt on the floor to my right, just behind me.
I scowled at him over my shoulder. "What are you doing?"
"Forgive me, my lady. I meant no offense to you." He scooted back on his knees several more inches.