“Can either of you explain what cavahor means to the clueless,” Vera inquires.
“It means ‘to be filled.’ The first up and moving are usually more filled with their day, or life in general. So Ethmaians believe.”
“I enjoy sleeping in and I feel just as satisfied as any other.” Deean takes a bite out of the stale bread and dried fruit we have for supper.
“Filled with liquor,” I say, giving some of my bread to Ariah as everyone laughs.
“Even better.” Deean tosses me a wink.
Benny pulls out his notebook and scribbles something down. “I have a question for our Haymelian guests. How did you all become secret servants to the Queen? I would like to make sure I get my notes correct.”
“Are you going to put us in a book or something?” Ariah says, swatting at the crumbs in her lap, then pulls out the ribbon in her hair. Curls fall to her side, brushing over elbows I desire to kiss and nibble on. I love it when her hair flows loosely.
“Of course. Every story must be told, especially one as grand as this. No person can be left out or the story is incomplete.”
“No one would know we’re missing anyway.” From his bag, Sky pulls out the orchids and other plants he’s collected on the trail.
“We would,” Benny replies and gets his writing tool ready.
“My mother was once a Fox.” Vera goes first. “She got injured when her partner didn’t show up to a task they were assigned to.” Her eyes drift to Ariah, who is awash with sudden guilt, but Vera attempts a faint smile. I assume there is much more to the backstory, but I’ll ask Ariah at another time. “Anyways,” Vera continues, “she was beaten by some grifters who weren’t meant to be there. Left her bloody and broken. A lord she was supposed to be spying on discovered her, along with a vial poison and a suicide note she was to leave behind to make it look like he had taken his own life. The Lord learned of my mom’s identity andall Foxes are to remain unseen. Queen Cayleen knew she could never employ her again, so she exiled her to a small island on the northern shores of Haymel. It’s where I grew up. But come my sixteenth birthday, the Queen sent a carriage. My gift that year was the chance to redeem my mother’s name and I’ve been a Fox since.”
Benny widens his eyes as he writes down her story. “I’m sorry. Thank you for sharing though.”
Vera shrugs. “It’s not what I wished for that birthday, but I suppose she could have killed us instead. If it means my mother is forever done with her, then so be it.”
“Haymel and Ethmay do a lot of trade.” Chana picks at her bread and continues on without giving us time to digest Vera’s story. “Mostly food, spices, and material. On occasion they decide children are best. In my village we called them coratas.”
“Night thieves,” Nico says.
“Yes. They came in the dead of night, seven years and two hundred and twenty-seven days ago. They wanted my sister and I offered them me, instead. It was the last time I was home. The last time I saw her.” We sit in silence for a minute or two. “It could have been worse though. Most don’t end up in the Queen’s court. There are far worse fates than ending up a Fox. Some have no fates at all.”
Vera rubs Chana’s arm in comfort, causing Chana to smile. Although she has every right to feel hopeless and miserable, she isn’t. They both turn their attention to Sky, who immediately rolls his eyes.
“Oh, you want me to follow you two?” Sky huffs. “Mine is not as horrid as all that. No clue who my father is or where he’s from. Ma has tried to tell me several times, but in all honesty I don’t care to know anything about the bastard, which ironically is what I am. My mother got into trouble a few years back and to make all her issues go away she made a deal with Morrena. I wassimply part of the deal and ended up working under Morrena as a Fox about five years ago.”
“Your mother traded you to get rid of her problems?” Deean sounds like it’s a concept too unfathomable for him to accept. Suddenly, all the trials in our life added together seem minor compared to the lives these seasoned Foxes have had to endure.
“Maybe I was the problem.” Sky lets out a dry chuckle. “But that’s how I got there. Any more life facts from me require stronger drinks—or cruel poisons—so that’s all you’re going to get.”
Benny ends his interviews there, already knowing what reasons Ariah has for being here. Guilt sweeps in. According to Ariah, one of Queen Cayleen’s greatest rules is to never fall in love, and I can’t help the remorse I feel knowing we are repeating a history similar to Ariah’s parents. But she turns to me and gives me a smile so rich that I would do anything to wrap myself in it, even if it means making enemies with the Queen of Haymel.
We sit around a fire and share more stories, happier ones, until sleep carries us away for the night.
31
ARIAH
Adeafening shriek wakes me and propels my body forward.
Through the mouth of the cave, I see dawn breaking through a blurry sky. With a few blinks I notice Chana stands near the mouth of the cave with a dagger drawn. Beside her is Iann who I thought was still next to me, but he’s wide awake with a sword in hand.
“What’s happening?” I whisper, taking my ring blade and standing with the others.
“Started minutes ago,” Vera whispers back, her shirt brushes the skin of my arm as she stands close. “Sounds like we might not be alone.” She stands up from her squat, and I join her. Both armed for the unexpected.
“We should keep moving.” Iann fastens the sword back in his scabbard. “Collect everything and let’s get going.” He comes over to me and discreetly rests his head on mine. “Good morning.”
“Is it a good one?” I pull away and eye the others with caution. “What was that?” The noise didn’t sound like it came from a human, but instead, a large creature of some sort.
