Page 30 of To Kill a King
He pursed his lips together and nodded as his gaze turned distant. “I did, but nothing that can’t be delivered in time. Would you like company until you reach your destination? I can at least help get you there in a few days, hopefully before he arrives. Assuming he stays to wrap up the wedding festivities.”
Her heart leaped at the hint of invitation as her muscles went weak with relief.
Clearing her throat, she mentally shook herself. Get a grip, Aliya. If he saw how desperate she was, he may well rescind his offer. “I doubt anyone would think to search for me out here.” She gestured to the surrounding forest. “But I can tell you value your privacy. Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“Your company, specifically. As long as you don’t shapeshift without warning.” He winked as he held up his hands. “And, assuming you don’t mind putting up with this.”
She shrugged, hoping to pull off nonchalant. “Well, someone promised to teach me how to hunt and use a bow.”
A slow smile crawled across Elessan’s lips. He gave her a formal nod. “Someone did.”
The tension between Aliya’s shoulder blades released. With a sigh, she lay on her side, resting her head on her arm. Regulating her breathing to mimic sleep, she peeked out from under her lashes, watching the stars dance over his skin. Elessan sat for nearly ten minutes, giving her plenty of time to fall asleep. The grass rustled as he settled next to her. “Let’s hope someone’s an adequate teacher,” he whispered.
Chapter 9
Zadé
Two nights later, Zadé sat at the far edge of the bar, close enough to easily order another round, but far enough to the side to have a good view of the room. Taverns in this part of Westcliff were more likely than most to produce a decent fight or other sort of entertainment, but the patrons had to keep their wits about them if they wanted to wake up the next morning. The World’s End was no exception.
She only picked them out of the crowd because they were such polar opposites. The young girl was practically made of sunshine, from her golden hair and tan complexion to the fancy blue dress she wore under the nondescript cloak. Good thing it was night. Zadé chuckled. If she wasn’t careful, the human would blind her.
The elf, on the other hand, with his dark skin and clothing, and the black hood pulled over his head to hide his ears, personified darkness incarnate.
How long since she’d seen a mountain elf? She shrugged. Eh. It didn’t really matter. The last two centuries were a blur, anyway.
She chugged the final swallows of her ale. Patting her hair to make sure the dark curls still obscured the pointed tips of her ears, she hollered, “Barkeep! Another!” She threw a few more random coins on the counter.
The girl sat at the first empty chairs they encountered. Her companion shook his head and gestured to the far end of the room, where there was a free booth against the wall.
Zadé squinted past her double vision. They were arguing. She frowned. The elf had the right of it. Sitting in the middle of the room was only smart if both people could watch all directions at once. The girl had no clue how things worked here.
The male ushered the human to the unoccupied table he indicated earlier and signaled a barmaid to bring dinner and drinks. He didn’t quite act like a bodyguard, though that made the most sense in a place like this. And since when did elves work for humans? Last she checked, there was a war going on.
Zadé scoffed. If he was a bodyguard, he was a terrible one.
Prompt as always, another mug slid into her hand.
“Here’s your tenth tonight,” the bartender said.
No, surely it was only her fifth. Maybe sixth. How much money did she have left, anyway?
Whatever. She shrugged and took a healthy swig of the new drink.
Well, she’d never satisfy her curiosity if she didn’t go say hello.
She pushed herself up from the bar and gave the floor a few seconds to settle down. Grabbing her tankard, she swayed her way over to the newcomers.
Borrowing an unattended chair from the adjacent table, she turned it backward and straddled it, slamming her mug down in front of them. She frowned for a second as the ale splashed over the rim and onto the ground. Such a shame, to waste good booze.
Zadé looked at the startled pair. “Whooo are youuu,” she asked the mountain elf. She pointed her finger at him, to be extra clear.
Alarm flashed across the bodyguard’s face, but it was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by the wariness of a soldier appraising an enemy. The human woman froze, ready to flee.
That was interesting. Maybe.
Zadé waved her hand carelessly toward her. “Don’t worry, princesss…I ain’t gunna hurt ya. I just wanna know what th’ elf iz doing here.”
If possible, the girl’s eyes widened further as she paled. “Princess?”