wasn’t long before I heard a loud cry.
“Eiyeee!” the pixie screamed as Hack chased it toward Honor and Lorn. Sneezewort was right on both of their tails with his broom, hooting and hollering, swatting both Hack and the pixie.
The commotion startled Honor and Lorn as they tried to catch Hack and save the pixie. I used the opportunity to slide the window open and hop up, the sill digging into my stomach as I went in headfirst. Gravity took hold, and I slid the rest of the way in, landing in a heap on the floor.
Quickly, I righted myself and looked around the stable. Bug was out in the field, and only Jasper, our horse, was in his stall. The other stall held the stranger. I peeked over the door and saw him on Lorn’s cot. Lorn usually stayed in the stable whenever he came to visit.
I opened the door and slipped inside, taking the stool next to the makeshift bed. The stranger was still asleep. His coloring looked better and his breathing was even. All signs he was recovering with mother’s treatment. I didn’t know how long I would have before they discovered me, so I sat and listened.
Nothing. I got nothing from him. No aura, no images, no stray thoughts.
I frowned and tentatively reached for his hand, holding it within my own.
I grimaced and waited for the onslaught of feelings to come, but again I was met with silence. Maybe it was because he was asleep? Yes, that had to be it. But even during dreams, I could sometimes catch glimpses. I was about to release his hand when I looked up into his green eyes and faltered.
The stranger was awake. He studied me, and then glanced at my hand clasped around his. I quickly dropped it.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I shouldn’t have touched you without your permission.”
He said nothing, but stared at me strangely. “Who are you?”
“I’m Aura, and you’re in our barn.”
“Our?”
“My family’s,” I said, carefully not revealing more. “Who are you?” I returned the question.
“I’m no one of importance,” he said defensively.
I could feel the lie.
“Well, no one. Why were you found wandering in the woods? What happened to you?”
“I’m on an important quest,” he sighed and closed his eyes, dismissing me. “And I must be on my way at once. I have no time to spare for your idle chatter.”
I was aghast. I’d never before been dismissed by anyone, and with such apathy. I patted my white blonde hair and knew that it was still perfectly plaited despite my tumble through the window. Many men had complimented me on my fair skin and pale eyes that looked lilac or gray depending on my mood. I wasn’t tall and graceful, like Rosalie, or beautiful like Eden. I looked like a thin will-o’-the-wisp compared to them, but I wasn’t horrid.
But this hurt.
“Hard to do when you don’t have a horse and you’re injured. How did you get injured?”
“I was attacked a week ago. As for my horse, I don’t know. I was feverish and must have fallen off my mount, and he ran away. I implore you to please lend me another horse and help me on my way.”
“You’re awfully rude for someone close to death. If it weren’t for me, you would have perished.”
Those enchanting eyes opened and looked me over from head to toe, reaching his own conclusion on who I was. “Then I’m grateful for your assistance. But unless you can tell me how to reach the home of Lady Eville, I have no time for young, lovesick girls.”
He was a jerk. A horrid, vain jerk. No wonder my mother hated the kingdom of Rya. Especially if this is the breed of men they produced.
“I am no young, lovesick girl,” I spouted, pulling the kerchief out and shoving the bread and apple into his chest. “I thought you might be hungry since I wasn’t sure when you last ate. But maybe you would prefer if we dropped you out in the wilderness and let you forage for yourself, you pompous wad.”
He didn’t even seem the least disturbed by my show of anger. One golden eyebrow rose and then it dropped. He sat up and the blanket slid down his midsection, revealing strong tan muscles. I looked away, staring at a rusty nail in the wall.
I swallowed.
“See,” he chuffed. “The pious maiden who hopes to woo the injured soldier.”
“You’re a soldier?” I asked. “Then what business do you have here?”
His pinched lips didn’t affirm