Page 44 of Cursed Crowns
Something rustled nearby. “Look!” she said, her voice hitching. “There’s something moving in those bushes!”
Kai tensed.
Shen had a dagger in hand, ready to leap.
The bush let out a low growl, and then a huge white blur shot out of it and bounded straight at Victory. The horse reared up with a whinny, nearly throwing Rose and Kai off. The blur—which had become a beast—snapped at Kai’s ankles.
“Rotting hell!” cursed Kai. “It’s a wolf!”
Shen began to laugh. “I think we’re good,” he said, pocketing the dagger. “Unless Elske also has a twin.”
“Elske?” Rose gasped. “Is that you?”
Elske was far too busy snarling at Kai to acknowledge Rose.
“Since you two know this rabid beast, can you please call it off,” he hissed. “Or else I’m going down there and taking a dagger to it.”
“Don’t you dare!” Rose slid off Victory. “Shh, shh, darling,” she said, coming to her knees. “It’s all right now. You found me.”
The wolf stopped snarling and nuzzled into Rose’s skirt, smearing it with even more dirt. Rose smiled as she stroked the spot betweenthe wolf’s ears, seized by a new wave of affection for her. Having Elske here made her feel closer to Wren. “Why did you follow me all the way down here?”
“Wren probably told her to keep an eye on you,” said Shen. “She’s protecting you.”
“By trying to kill me?” said Kai, eyeing the beast uneasily.
Shen smirked. “Maybe.”
“Her disdain for you merely proves that she is an excellent judge of character.” Rose stood up and shook out her skirts, trying not to dismay at the dirt that cascaded from them. “We’ll be much safer traveling with Elske... if a bit more conspicuous.”
“A bit!” scoffed Kai. “Send her back right now.”
“No,” said Shen and Rose in perfect unison.
“The wolf stays,” added Rose. “If you have a problem with that, then you may leave.”
Kai pouted but said nothing. The matter was settled.
“There’s an inn just up ahead.” Shen pointed toward a tall building at the end of the street. Candlelight glowed faintly from its windows and the sign above the door said The Straggler’s Rest. “Elske will have to hide outside while we go in, but we can see about sneaking her in later.”
As it turned out, getting a room at the Straggler’s Restproved to be somewhat of a headache.
“Late summer is our busiest time, I’m afraid,” said the burly innkeeper, his pearly smile shining against his brown skin. “But I might be able to scrounge something up.” He whistled to get the attention of another man, who appeared to be doubling as both the barkeep and the cook. “Todrick, is the attic room in any condition for guests?”
Todrick wrinkled his nose. “We got the bats out this morning. Or at least most of them. I’ll send Marianna up to open the window. Air it out a bit.”
The innkeeper clapped his hands, turning back to them. “It’ll be a tight squeeze.” He gestured at Kai’s formidable build. “Especially with him. But it’s the best I can do.”
“We appreciate it,” said Shen.
“Isn’t there another room?” Rose flushed. “I’m sure those two won’t mind sharing, but a qu—ladyreally does need her space.”
The innkeeper simply shrugged. “It’s all I’ve got, miss. We’re the last inn for miles. There’s a fancier inn back in Ellendale, if you want to try your luck—”
“Ellendale?” Rose’s voice rose an entire octave. “No, no. I think we’ll stay here. We’ll be pressing on in the morning. We’re traveling musicians, you see, and we’ve got a job with...” She racked her brain, grasping for a noble family that lived down south. “Lord Shannon and his family. Down in Golders Glen.”
“If you get an early start tomorrow, you’ll reach the Glen by nightfall,” said Todrick, helpfully. “But bring a fair luncheon. There’s nothing between here and there.”
“Except the Poisonweed Valley,” muttered the innkeeper. “But you’d be best to avoid it. Folks who trek through there don’t come out the same.”