Page 33 of To Kill a King

The red cloak’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline as he stared at something behind Elessan. Taking advantage of his opponent’s distraction, Elessan dragged his weapon across the other man’s throat.

“Holy houses, Princess!” Zadé sounded much more sober than she had before the bar fight started. “Yeh should warn a person yer gunna be blastin’ holes in walls.”

“Elessan, come on!” Through a refractile burst of pink sparkles, Aliya waved her hand at him, urging him forward.

Waiting another second to make sure the red cloak would stay down, Elessan heaved himself up.

“Duck!” Aliya screamed, her eyes wide.

He dropped to the ground as another crossbow bolt shot through where his torso had been a heartbeat ago. The arrow sailed through the sparkling rosy cloud and the new hole in the wall.

He rolled as she tugged him to his feet. Hand in hand, they ran through the breach, escaping into the fresh air of the evening. Smoke and several patrons flooded out after them. Half the building was engulfed. A twinge of guilt at the owner’s devastation settled in his gut as he shook glitter from his hair.

Aliya sat on top of a hill beyond Westcliff, where Zadé had led them. Below, the tavern burned. The townspeople scurried around like little ants, throwing water on the fire, trying to protect the surrounding buildings. To her inexperienced eye, the inn was going to be a total loss. The flames jumped to the mercantile next door but were quickly smothered. The pit of guilt still gnawed at her insides.

“I feel so bad,” she said. The tavern’s owner had lost his livelihood because of her. She should’ve stayed in the forest like Elessan had asked her to.

Elessan sighed. “It’s not your fault, Aliya. I’m the one who thought Westcliff was safe.”

She shook her head. “This isn’t your doing, either.”

Emerging from the trees and plopping down in front of Aliya, Zadé crossed her legs, rested her elbows on her knees, and braced her chin with her hands. “Don’t worry.” She paused. “AH-lee-uh. A brawl would’a broke out sometime tonight, no matter what. The World’s End is always up for a good rumble.” She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. “Yer much more interesting than I originally thought, Princessss. What’s yer story?”

“My story?” Her blood froze as her heart skipped a beat. The last thing she needed to do was share her history with every person she came across.

Her attention flicked to Elessan. Though it had worked out well for her in his case, eventually her luck would run out.

“The Red Cloaks are ‘xpensive. No offense, Elsan,” Zadé said, with a brief head-bob, “but Princessss here’s more likely ta have connections with money ta hire ‘em.” She turned her gaze on Aliya. “So…who wants ya, and what’d ya do?”

Aliya toyed with not answering. After all, Zadé was a stranger, and an elf. She had no idea where her loyalty lay.

Elessan glanced at her and raised his eyebrows. The silence stretched and became awkward.

Aliya rubbed her temples and sighed. The woman had been instrumental in their escape. The least she could do was answer the question, but in as few words as possible.

“I ran away to avoid a bad marriage.” And to not have her magic carved out as her husband murdered her.

Zadé guffawed and slapped her knee. “Took off ta be with yer boyfriend here, more like!”

Aliya’s skin flooded with heat. She studied the ground at her feet, letting her hair fall forward to hide her face. Just because he was attractive and looked good with his shirt off didn’t mean she wanted to court him.

Beside her, Elessan stammered and shook his head. “No, nothing like that. At all.”

Zadé punched him in the shoulder. “Relax, Elsan. I’s pullin’ yer leg. But Princess here blushed!”

Aliya peeked at him through her tresses.

His solemn gaze flicked to hers before turning back to Zadé.

“Hey! Rumor sez the king’s man was in town lookin’ fer somethin’.” Zadé leaned forward, squinting. “Or someone.” She waved a finger victoriously in front of Aliya’s face. “I betcha he was searchin’ fer you!”

Elessan slapped her hand away. “Keep your voice down!” he hissed, drawing his blade and putting it against Zadé’s throat.

Zadé blew a raspberry and laughed so hard she nearly bowled over backward. “Don’t worry, Elsan. I got better things ta do then turn Princess here over ta the law.”

With a frown, Elessan glanced at Aliya as if trying to see what she thought. She shrugged as he lowered his sword.

It seemed like all Zadé really cared about was brawling and drinking. She was hardly a threat, and she had probably saved their lives.