Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,33
Liam a look—“at bay.”
I tested the weight of it in my hands and felt it hum. Someone with potent magic forged the weapon, and I felt grounded when I held it. “I love it.” I grinned at Dorian.
“I had a feeling you would.”
Liam frowned, his arms crossed, and he glowered. I couldn’t get a read on why he was upset at Dorian’s gift. I pressed the button again, and it retracted. I was even more thrilled to learn that it had a leather holster that I could use to carry it on my hip or adjust it to sling on my back.
Within the hour we were packed, and the stable boy brought out two horses for us.
Eden was weepy-eyed and gave me a quick hug before disappearing inside. Not wanting to burden me with her overwhelming emotions.
Dorian held out his arms, and I stepped forward into a brotherly hug as he whispered, “Liam is a good guy, and my friend. He lives by the code, and he will protect you.”
“I know.”
When it came time to mount the horse, I faltered. Damsel, the roan my sister gave me, was a few hands taller than our workhorse. I put my foot in the stirrup, and on my second attempt could swing up into the saddle, thankful for the split riding skirt.
“I’ve sent men ahead of you to alert your troops of your whereabouts. They should meet you on the Marshwam pass to escort you home.”
“Thank you, my friend.” Liam reached out and shook hands with Dorian.
“If you need anything, Candor will come to your aid.”
“I appreciate that, but this is Rya’s problem and we will deal with it.”
“Safe travels.” Dorian waved, and we headed out the gate.
Navigating out of the city proved difficult. I struggled with the noise and chatter. I was scared that I would have a permanent worry line on my forehead from trying to filter out the background from the important things.
We passed a stall where a young, bedraggled child was hanging around a vendor’s table full of food.
So hungry. I need food for my grandma so she will get better.
The vendor, a thin man with a wiry mustache and dark eyes, was aware of the child’s intentions. His hand rested on a knife at his hip.
He will not steal from me this time. I will take his hand for it.
The boy made his move.
“Stop!” I pulled on the reins and slid from my horse, reaching into my satchel filled with coins, a gift from Eden. I quickly paid for bread, eggs and cheese and handed them to the boy, plus an extra five gold pieces. “Here, for your family. Never come to this booth again, do you hear me?”
He nodded.
I confronted the shop manager. “Taking a boy’s hand for stealing is barbaric and wrong.”
Liam had moved from his horse and placed a hand on my arm. I flung it off and raced down two more alleys, forcing Liam to follow with our horses.
“Aura,” he called out, but I couldn’t stop. My heart was pounding with newfound knowledge. I could pinpoint the voices if I got close enough to them. I rushed into a dark building and saw an old woman covered in blankets, in too much pain to get up and even feed herself. I opened the window and collapsed in front of her. Reaching for her hand, I instinctively drew her aches into my own body. Her eyes opened, and she breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Bless you, child, are you an angel?”
“No, but your grandson needs you. He almost lost a hand for stealing. Can you get up?”
She nodded. “Yes, yes. I can. I haven’t felt this good in ages.”
I struggled to my feet and my back stiffened, my feet burned with every step I took. I moved to the doorway where Liam watched me silently.
“You took her pain, didn’t you,” he stated.
I waddled past him, grabbed Damsel’s saddle horn and tried to pull myself up. My arms gave out, and I slid back to the ground. Liam caught me, his body pressed against mine. His breath warm in my hair as he admonished me. “You’re hardly in any shape to ride now.”
“Just give me a boost. I can hold on.”
His hands gripped around my waist and he easily lifted me up into the saddle. I groaned as my hips tried to get comfortable. They felt ninety years old. Plus the buzzing of voices grew more intense.