“That’s two months of traveling,” Jenson murmured, eyeing the window as several guards rushed by. “Do you expect it will take that long to reach Rekiv?”
Fallon nodded. “At least. I’ll try to contact the other legions of Kynire once we leave the capital. We should be able to contact the branch in Ebondenn once we reach the Rekiv border. We haven’t spoken in years, but they will come when we need them. The assassins in the Redlands, they’ll come as well.”
Quinn watched Fallon as he spoke. He looked older now than he once had. The silvery shoulder-length hair remained the same, as did the firm, lean muscle beneath his tunic, and the ageless beauty of his expression, but his bright eyes were tired.
“I’ll finish my preparations to leave.” Quinn turned to Reyes. “There’s a pure white mare in the stables. Could you go take care of her? I know it won’t be wise to take her with us, but she took a stumble. I think her leg is alright, but you’re the expert.”
Reyes slipped through the side door before Quinn finished speaking.
“You can’t expect to get out of the city now with the princess.” Resa’s tone was sharper than usual. “I know Reyes and I are to remain here with Rieve when you go, and the others are already starting to settle in Swan Lagoon as we arranged, but I thought the rest of you agreed to wait till things calm down a bit.”
Fallon gave Quinn a sideways glance, the unspoken question of his opinion lingering. Quinn cleared his throat. “I agree. Aeron could have spies anywhere. We need to be more cautious with who we trust. He’s been watching her. The captain of the guard, Kellen, he had Aeron’s mark.”
“We shall wait.” Fallon’ voice was firm and touched with authority. “I do not want you straining before we leave, Quinn. It’s going to be a long enough journey without exhausting ourselves.”
“Quinn is already exhausted. He’s been straining himself for days.” They turned to see Maya standing in the arch of the stairwell.
“You left the Princess alone?” Jenson asked.
“I gave her the decency of dressing in private.” Jenson went to open his mouth, but Maya continued, putting a hand on her hip, “Don’t worry, she won’t run. The thought of what could happen to her city and her people if we don’t stop Aeron horrifies her. She’s a sweet thing. Naïve, but sweet. It’s surprising what you can get out of someone when you aren’t trying to get slapped.”
Maya winked at Jenson, stepping into the room with a knowing smirk.
Quinn’s blank stare brimmed with ice, a growl rising from his throat. “What was that for?”
“We all know where your desires lie.” Her voice, though teasing, was laced with jealousy.
The growl in his throat deepened with the pain in his head. “You’re being ridiculous. She’s impertinent.”
Maya wiggled her eyebrows. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
“No,” Jenson shook his head, nudging Quinn with a shoulder. “You got it all wrong, Maya. He just desires all women that way.” They both laughed.
Resa snickered from the window, turning to Fallon. “It would seem his reputation precedes him.”
Fallon’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “We lay low for the time being unless something changes. Begin preparations for when we move out.”
Resa nodded and left.
“Where are we going?”
Quinn shifted his attention to the delicate voice. The simplicity of the townsfolk suited her well.
Short leather boots scrunched around her ankles, matching the black leather stretching over slim thighs and hips. The jade tunic, laced along her chest and held in place by a thin black belt, stopped mid-thigh. The heavy wool cloak kissed the floor, her scarlet curls tumbling in little ringlets, bouncing about her waist when she walked.
Quinn frowned as he met her inquisitive stare. “We were discussing our plans to leave the city.”
Inquisition turned to fiery distrust. “I see, and what did you decide? It might help me trust you a little better if you include me in conversations about my well-being.”
Fallon stepped forward. “Your Highness. Allow me to introduce myself.” He held out a hand, and she shook it briefly. “I am leader of The Order of Kynire. I understand you’ve met my second, Quinn. I apologize for our manner of getting you here, but many thanks in your cooperation.” Fallon’s bow was diplomatic. He always had a royal way of carrying himself. “Your help is most appreciated.”
The Princess gave a weak smile. “I must admit, I am helping you only for my people and because...” her voice trailed off and she paused slightly, shaking her head. “Their safety has always been my primary concern. I’m not sure how much of your myths I believe.” She gave Quinn another fiery glare. “Or how much I trust you.”
“If we can help it, you will learn the skills to protect yourself. Suspending your disbelief will be one of the hardest parts.” Jenson picked a handful of nuts from the bowl decorating the table and tossed them into his mouth. “When you’re kept sheltered away from anything magical and told it’s nothing more than myth, seeing its evil shoved into your face can be difficult to comprehend.”
She moved to the couch, crossing her ankles. “It isn’t that though. I can’t explain it. What you’ve told me defies all my lessons regarding magic or myth. Part of me still wants to feel terrified, but somehow I know I’m safe and I can trust you.” The golden shimmer flashed in her eyes again but didn’t remain. “It’s as if I’ve always known, even before I knew you. It’s strange.”
If the color change in her eyes surprised Fallon, he concealed it well. “That is the way we want you to feel after all.”
Joseline smiled, the action more genuine than before. She twirled a curl around her finger, glancing about the room. “So, when are we leaving?”
“A few days,” Quinn said, using the excuse to leave. “I’m going to pack my herbs.”
He didn’t wait for a reply before heading toward the stairs. His head pulsed with sharp throbs, blinding his vision again. He was halfway to his study before he paused in acknowledgement of the princess following him.
“I…I’m sorry.”
Quinn shrugged, gritting his teeth. “I’m not used to having someone clonk around after me. Try not to stomp when you walk.” He turned just as the blush faded from her cheeks.
“I know we didn’t get off on the best foot. I still don’t trust you, but I feel the need to apologize. I wanted to see your herbs.”
The comment was unexpected. “Why?”
She blushed again. “I find them interesting, alright? I like learning how to use them.”
Quinn continued walking without dismissing her. “I’ve never met a girl from a non-healer family interested in such things. It isn’t a common hobby for non-magic wielders.” She said nothing as he pushed the door open.
Quinn rummaged through several chests near his worktable, at last finding the jar of ginger root. Opening it, he grabbed a shaved sliver and threw it into his mouth, reaching for the water skin hanging over the chair as a hot sensation exploded along his tongue. A moment later, the headache eased slightly.