Page 90 of Hollowed
Thankfully,Alexanderwas supportive of my request.Isuspected it would be a long time beforeIwas ever not taken by surprise at how supportive and thoughtful he was.
Asif sensing my thoughts had turned to him,Alexander’shand slid across the bench seat of the carriage we occupied. “Youare thinking quite loudly,” he murmured. “Areyou all right?”
Ichewed on my lip, trying to find the right words to explain howIwas feeling about our intended task. “Whatif he doesn’t want to see me?Whatif he turns me away and is angry at me, like his mother?”
“Hewould not have replied to our letter if he did not want to see you,Katrina.”Heran his thumb over the back of my hand, chasing away the tension.Pullingour hands to his mouth, he pressed a kiss to each knuckle.
Blowingout a long breath,Istill felt the nerves gnawing at my spine. “Wedid not reveal the whole truth in the letters.Hedoesn’t know why we’re truly coming.”
“No,”Alexanderagreed. “Butit is a good sign that he replied, and that he’s in the same place thatIleft him.”
“Butwhat if—”
Alexandercut me off by leaning down to press a kiss to my lips, moving his hand to rest on my cheek. “Stop.”Hepressed another kiss to my lips, then one to my forehead before returning to my lips for another kiss.Thisone lingered, a promise. “Itwill be all right,Katrina.Iswear it.”
Sighing,Ileaned into his embrace as he wrapped his arms around me, using his warmth to chase away the troubles in my soul. “Howmuch longer toKentucky?”
“Severalhours still, but we should arrive by sunset.Getsome rest.”
IdoubtedI’dbe able to sleep, between my nerves and the bumping of the carriage wheels along the road, there was far too much to keep me awake.ButAlexandertucked his fingers into my hair and began massaging my scalp, andIsighed again, letting myself relax further against him.
* * *
“Katrina, we’re here,”Alexandersaid, pulling me from the clutches of sleep.
Thenerves that had eased with sleep were back in full force now as the muffled sounds of people bustling past our carriage registered to my ears.Wewere really here.
Icouldn’t do this.Ihad letAlexanderconvince me thatTorinwould welcome us, would be grateful for knowing the truth about his sister.Butnow,here,Iwanted to run and hide.Thishad been a mistake.Hewould be angry, no doubt.Justlike his mother, he would blame me for her death.Idid not thinkIcould handle that.
TurningtoAlexander,Iopened my mouth to ask if we were really about to do this, but my panic was interrupted by a loud knock on the carriage door.
“Breathe,”Alexanderreminded me as he reached across my body to push open the door.Heinclined his head. “Now, get out of the carriage.”
Mylimbs felt heavy, andImoved carefully to keep from making a fool of myself in front of our coachman asIclambered out of the carriage.Alexanderstepped out behind me gracefully, bowing to the man who’d accompanied us all this way.Hepulled me back into his embrace, tucking me into his side.
Alexandersaid something to the man, butIcouldn’t hear it over the pounding in my ears.Swallowinghard,Ipressed my hand into my stomach and willed myself to calm asIslowed my breathing.
Icould do this.IowedCiarathis much.
“Myfriend is nearly here,”Alexandermurmured, pressing himself into my side. “Hewill take us toTorin, but only once you’re ready.”
Myeyes scanned the throngs of people moving through the streets, but quickly landed on the only one who was looking at us.Atall man, taller thanAlexander, with shoulder length dark hair approached us, a smile spreading across his face with each step.
“Whois that?”Iasked.Alexanderhad mentioned we’d be meeting one of his friends before we spoke withTorin, but he’d been lax with the details beyond that.Andin my anxiety,Ihadn’t pushed.
“Andwho might you be?Iknow this fool, but how did he come across a companion as pretty as you?”Theman smiled widely at my burning cheeks as he stepped up in front of us.
“Katrina, this isLochlan.Lochlan, if you smile at her like that againIwill make you swallow your own teeth.”
“Abit testy, aren’t we?”Lochlanslung his arm aroundAlexander’sshoulders for a brief semblance of an embrace.Heclapped his hand onAlexander’sback. “Let’sgo somewhere a bit more private and chat.”
Mymind was still bouncing between anxiety and bewilderment, soIletAlexanderpull me along behind them asLochlanled us to a quiet pub.Oncewe were all seated at a table in the corner of the room, my nerves had also settled some.Alexanderwas at ease with this man, and if he could trust him,Icould too.Orat least,Icould try.
“So, shall we get down to business?”Lochlansaid, clasping his hands together. “I’vearranged forTorinto meet us here shortly.Iguessed you would like to talk to me first.”
“Youguessed right,”Alexandersaid.Hetilted his head toward the dark-haired man. “Katrina,Lochlanis anotherDullahan.Heprotects this area.”
Ialmost swallowed my tongue.