Page 17 of Heart of Night

“And now you’re their prince.” It’s a long shot, but I’ve learned that prompting Ephegos works better than asking questions. His one weakness might be that he feels the need to justify his actions, and I’m ready to take full advantage of that.

“Something like it. An adopted son of sorts. But don’t get me wrong. I haven’t escaped Myron’s rule of terror only to become second choice over another dwindling people.” He leaves it at that since we reach the stairs, and a pair of guards join us on our way down. This time, I pay attention—round ears. So they must have human blood. I’ll only know if the original Flames have pointed ears once I meet the Matrone, which I’m not positive will ever happen since Ephegos tows me through a brass and cream entrance hall, straight for the open wing of a set of heavy double doors.

Outside, a black carriage big enough to hold four people is waiting, the four brown horses harnessed to it stomping impatient hooves. On the bench in front of the cabin, a driver sits, his tall, broad form clad in brown Flame leathers, but he wears a hooded cloak on top, hiding his face in shadows.

My legs turn weak at the mere thought that I’ll have to trick a soldier of his build in order to flee, and I grab onto the doorframe so I won’t stumble down the three granite steps leading down to the gravel path from the lush estate grounds into the forest.

“Get inside.” The door opens on a phantom wind at Ephegos’s flick of fingers, revealing comfortable russet and brass cushioned benches.

With a glance around the walls framing the grounds, I climb into the cabin, ignoring the sinking sensation in my stomach that I might have been better off staying here. It gets only stronger when Ephegos follows me and sits on the bench across, wearing a grin on his face that would have made me believe we’re going on an exciting adventure had I not known the real him.

“You are coming?” The question bursts from my lips even when I’d rather pretend this can’t be happening.

“You didn’t think I’d risk you slipping away on the journey, did you?” He waves his hand, and the door closes so loudly the sound echoes in my mind the way the clicking lock of the prison door used to when I was locked up at Fort Perenis. “I know how good you are at sneaking around. You even managed to escape in the Seeing Forest.” He considers the horror on my face then adds, “Once.”

“And I was caught before I made it far.” It’s not my fondest memory, but the hours with Myron that followed contain some of the turning points of my relationship with the Crow King, so I find myself replaying those quite often.

“Of course, you were. It’s not like a human girl could ever outrun a fairy.” As he pauses, his gaze travels the length of my body, and I cringe under his scrutiny. “But you are no longer all human, so I’d rather keep a close eye on you. Myron already made all the mistakes of letting you out of his sight.”

The way every mention of Myron makes my heart throb anew isn’t even the worst part of the pain. It’s the hatred in Ephegos’s eyes when he speaks of his former friend and king.

I shake it off, focusing on the only thing that should matter right now. “What do you mean, not all human? What changed? I haven’t turned fairy, or I’d have my magic.” Perhaps, it’s not a smart move to ask him about my magic, but I have to know.

Ephegos pulls his lips into a wide smile and shrugs. “You didn’t think breaking a goddess’s curse wouldn’t leave a mark on you.”

It’s not an answer, more of a hint, but I’ll take it. He doesn’t know Herinor shared the story of Vala’s curse with me, so he doesn’t know he gave me more information than he intended to.

Before I can sort my thoughts, a whip cracks, the horses whinny, and the carriage sets into motion. I catch a glance of the tall, white and russet building that was my prison these past days, not failing to notice the intricate details carved into the facade. But it’s the lean, leather-clad form dashing from bush to bush that catches my attention. Kaira.

I don’t need to see her face to recognize the long brown braid bouncing with movement. A small pack is strapped to her shoulders, and in her hand, she holds a bundle I can’t identify.

The path bends away from the estate, and I lose sight of the Flame as tall hedges frame our path all the way to the iron gates opening for the carriage.

Ten

Ayna

We roll through the forest for hours before the first break. All that time, I try to keep a casual eye on the trees outside, but there are no landmarks that would help me orient, and it doesn’t matter where we are. I know where we’re going, and I can’t go there.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Ephegos warns as he opens the door and gestures at a nearby bush where I’m supposed to see to my needs. “King Erina didn’t specify in what condition he wants you, but I assume you don’t need both your feet to be a guest at his court.”

Ice slides down my spine as the male who drove the carriage leaps off the bench at the front and steps to my side, obviously intending to accompany me to the bushes.

“I won’t run.” It’s not a promise I intend to keep, but how else am I to get the guard off my back?

“Don’t worry, Wolayna.” Ephegos tosses over his shoulder as he flexes his arms and stretches his legs in a few long strides in the other direction. “Herinor will make sure you won’t.”

My heart stops in my chest then picks up at double pace. Herinor towers over me, his scar-flecked skin and stubbled jaw the only recognizable parts of him under the hood he’s been wearing, but as he slides it down, his full features are illuminated by the soft sunlight piercing through the cover of leaves above. Eyes of fir green stare back at me with a warning, and for a beat, all I can think is that I couldn’t make out their color in his torture chamber with the dim torch light.

“Move.” He shoves me by the shoulder until I stumble into the thicket, legs sluggish with paralyzing fear. A glance at his belt confirms that the knife with the leather-wrapped hilt that inflicted all those cuts on my skin is traveling with him, but there is a sword attached at each hip as well, and a small hatchet.

When I meet his gaze, all I find is the same warning from when I glanced at him before the guards took me back to my room. I don’t speak a word, merely take a deliberate step back into the bushes where I hope he won’t follow.

Of course, there is no way for me to escape with both Ephegos and Herinor paying close attention to my every move, but that doesn’t keep me from hoping to find a window of opportunity later. Later, before we make it to Meer.

I don’t even know how many days of travel lay ahead, how long we’ll remain in the merciful cover of trees that might allow me to hide if I ever manage to make my escape. The moment we’re out in the open, the vastness of the Plithian Plains will make it practically impossible to sneak away. Ephegos and Herinor’s fairy senses will spot me across the flatlands even if I crawl on my belly.

“Isn’t there supposed to be a lady’s maid traveling with me?” I make conversation more to distract myself from having to pee within earshot of a male who recently cut me with his knife—or any male. “Or did Ephegos bring you for the job?” It’s not a smart move on my part. All the more, I’m surprised when Herinor laughs.