Ican’t believe it. All this time, the goods were people.People. Real, live people, overflowing with grateful tears as I make my way around each one, handing them blankets and checking for any injuries.
My heart aches for them all. How I wish Kasimir had told me! Then again, could I have danced as I did if I knew who was watching me perform? The thought of bringing any pleasure to that man sickens me now. And yet, anything I’m feeling is nothing compared to what these people have been through.
The horrors are still written in the scars on their faces. And there are children here too…
Stars.
“Praise ye, miss.” A young woman, not much older than Liliana, grasps my arm.
With a tight smile, I fasten a blanket around her shoulders. The fabric isn’t heavy, but her frail bones almost buckle under the weight of it. I can’t help but wince as I steady her.
“They kept us in the dark for so long,” she mumbles to herself. “We’re forever in your debt. All of us.”
“You owe me nothing,” I insist. “Anyone would’ve done what I did.”
The young woman squeezes my arm again. “And yet you’re the only ones who came for us.”
There’s so much hope in her eyes, it makes tears pool in mine.
“Thank you, miss.” She smiles.
Dipping my head, I force down tears before searching for the next survivor. How could anyone support this? Is Father aware? He can’t be. There’s no way he’d allow practices like this to continue.
“Ruby.”
I pause my thoughts as Kasimir walks up behind me. He holds himself with his usual confidence, seemingly unfazed by all the suffering around him, but there’s also uncertainty in his eyes.
If he were my real fiancé, I’d want to reach for him. But he’s not, so I keep my hands to myself. No need for the roleplay any more.
“I should get you home,” he says gruffly.
“Already?” I glance around. “But there’s still so much to do here, and I can help!”
Kaz shakes his head. “You’ve done more than enough already, and we don’t know how the other men in the tavern will react when they discover the bodies.”
I shudder. Somehow, I’d almost forgotten about that.
“We need to get you home,” he says again, catching my elbow to guide me away. “It won’t be safe out here for much longer.” He begins to pull me down the dark street, but for once the shadows aren’t scaring me.
I shrug him off with a scowl. “If we don’t have much time then stop talking and let me help with these people!” Hours ago, I would’ve jumped at the opportunity to leave, but now, when I’m surrounded by desperate people who actually need help, I’mnot going anywhere. “Just tell me what to do. I want to help. Please.”
Kaz’s gaze softens. He thinks for a moment, groans, then finally releases my elbow. “Fine,” he sighs. “But stay close to me as we load the wagon.”
The dawn has almost stolen the last of the stars by the time we reach the safe house.
It’s funny. In my sparkling ballet gown and pointe shoes, I look worlds apart from the rest of Kasimir’s leather-clad crew, but I still receive the same tearful goodbyes and thanks as the trafficking victims are welcomed inside.
I wish I could’ve done more to help. But soon enough, after stopping at the guildhouse to change back into my travelling gown, Kasimir’s guiding me back towards Destiny, and I vault myself up into the saddle.
Although my breath hitches as Kasimir takes his place behind me.
“It’ll be faster if we ride together,” he says, taking up the reins with one hand and wrapping the other around my waist.
I open my mouth to protest, but then he kicks the horse into motion.
My backside slides into him, his warm arms engulfing mine. “Got you,” he chuckles before steering Destiny towards the dark forest.
The journey home feels a lot less scary with Kasimir sitting so close to me. Or maybe I’m just too exhausted to care about the shadows between the trees. Nevertheless, I can’t get comfortable.
