Page 38 of To Kill a King
She shrugged, massaging one wrist. “You weren’t being subtle, and the moon is still nearly full.”
He nodded. Fair point, but he hadn’t been obvious, either. She was definitely making progress. His chest swelled with pride. “Are you hurt?”
“What?”
Was it his imagination, or did she give him the same ‘too-innocent’ expression she’d shown him when they first met, when her ankle had been injured? “You’re rubbing your hand.”
“Oh.” Her voice trembled as she shook her arm and slid it back under her cloak. “I must’ve slept on it wrong.”
He turned to face her, but she looked away. She must still be shaken from the events of last night. He watched her from the corner of his eye as she stared at the sleeping village, her demeanor uncharacteristically sad. The moonlight reflected off her hair as it shifted in the breeze from below.
She studied the valley. “How much do you think it will cost to rebuild?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never had to pay to construct a building before. Fifty gold? One hundred? Maybe more.”
Her shoulders deflated. “I don’t have anything close to that. But I feel guilty.”
He did, too. But neither of them had started the fire. “When I go into town later this morning, I’m going to deliver some coins to the owner. If you would like to contribute a few pieces, I’m sure they would be welcomed.”
She nodded. “Yes. I’d like that.”
They sat in companionable silence as the sky lightened in the east. This was pleasant, sitting here quietly with her. She was smart, determined, and unlike any human or noble he’d ever met. He snuck another glance at her. She was beautiful, too—not just on the outside, but inside—where it counted. As queen, she could make a serious change for the better, and possibly repair the relations between humans and elves. He sighed. Assuming she lived long enough to do so.
At this point, most of his race didn’t want a peaceful resolution to the war. The sun elf royals would react poorly to him abandoning his mission to help Aliya. There was a distinct chance his mother would face repercussions for his disobedience.
He’d give almost anything to be able to ask her for guidance. Brushing a hand down his face, he exhaled. She’d tell him to do it anyway, regardless of her own safety, out of her centuries-old loyalty to the Larimars.
More humans stirred below. The bakery came alive, teasing their noses with the smell of fresh-baked baguettes and cinnamon rolls.
Aliya groaned. “I would kill for a warm loaf.”
He smiled. “Are you sure it’s not the sugar you’re after?”
She laughed. “Our master chef, Isabell, used to sneak me extra sweet-cream frosting when I was little. But I never thought I’d miss the taste of regular bread.”
“I’ll see what I can do when I head into town.”
Footsteps swished through the grass.
“Zadé, I need you to stay here with Aliya while I run my errands,” he said in Elvish. After a few heartbeats with no response, he turned.
It wasn’t Zadé.
Five men spread out, cutting them off from the camp. All were unshaven, with dirty, torn clothing. He wrinkled his nose. They each needed a bath, too.
He grabbed Aliya and pulled her behind him as they scrambled to their feet.
The one in the middle smiled, showing several missing front teeth. He brandished his sword. “Well, well. What’ve we got here, lads?”
Elessan’s hands dropped to his own blades, still in their sheaths.
“Looks like our ticket to a free breakfast.” The leader sneered at Aliya. “And dessert.”
She gasped, pressing her forehead against Elessan’s back, trembling.
Heat pooled in his gut as he fought the urge to pull her closer than she already was. “Don’t worry,” he murmured to her in Elven. “They’ll have to get through me first. Stay where I can see you.” He drew his weapons and faced the men. “There’s nothing here for you. Be on your way.”
A chorus of guffaws met his statement. “I think you misunderstand me, lad. High-bred ladies like girlie there,” his lazy gaze wandered to Aliya, “they always got plenty o’ coin. Among other things.”