“Yes, the truth is that he . . .”
Frid was still talking but my mind was distracted by my upcoming escape. I would need to get food and water, but I could not have the others suspecting anything.
“I’m sorry to say, but he’s stubborn, too. One would probably be after everything...”
Frid gave me a long look, so I just nodded.
One of the weak points of my plan was not knowing which direction I was going to take. Also, I was worried about not being able to fly throughout the whole night. I had never doneit before, I had never needed to exert myself to such a degree. Every time I went flying at home, it was for pleasure and I never had to struggle with endurance. I would simply land and take a break; bathe in a river, or stretch out in the middle of a meadow, completely naked, basking in the sunlight.
I bit my lip, following the girl who was still talking beside me, hearing nothing she was saying.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
TYNAN
Frid was going to be the death of me. She proceeded to purchase a flying suit for Alina, even after I deliberately forbade her from doing so. She was equipping the girl with everything she needed to escape. And if Alina was smart, she would try to do it in the middle of the night. I doubted that she would try anything during the day when the spear wielders were monitoring the sky. But, I did not know her well enough to predict how she would act. What I knew for sure was that she would try to flee. I could see it in her defying eyes. She was not the gentle and quiet type.
I stationed myself by the wide, dusty window on the first floor of the tavern. Victor and Sol were playing cards, and bythe swearing from Victor and the quiet laugh by Solomon, I knew who was winning that hand.
“I think you’re overreacting,” Victor announced.
I returned my eyes to the citizens who were moving through the streets. Women with baskets of food and laundry, unsupervised children rushed to their destinations and older men ambled slowly. They all wore vests with bulky, oversized pants that were apparently popular in Riolle.
For the tenth time, I regretted not going with them.
“Do you think she will try to escape?” Sol asked.
“Yes.”
I frowned when I finally saw the familiar figure of Frid in the crowd. A second later, a large man stepped aside and I found Alina, who was wearing a sleek, black leather flying suit. Her slight, lithe frame attracted the eyes of every man she passed by. She was striking, and for a moment, I lost my chain of thought staring at her long legs and narrow waist, the lines of her shoulders and arms. She lifted her head and our eyes met. Almost immediately she looked away. I clenched my jaw, hating myself for having any reaction to the pretty girl in the tight suit.
I watched them navigate through the thick crowd and when Frid finally spotted me, her shoulders tensed. I crossed my arms on my chest, giving her a hard look.
“Is that the new girl? Damn... She’s wearing all black, like you.” Victor joined me by the window.
That was an interesting point.Why is she wearing my family’s color?
Frid and Alina walked into the tavern. Frid separated herself from the girl and approached me.
“I know you don’t like it, but she needs a suit,” she said. I only watched her, saying nothing.
“Why is she wearing black?” Sol asked.
“It’s what the tailor made.” Frid turned to him.
I glanced at Alina. She stood with her head raised; her bright red hair and porcelain skin created an incredible contrast with the black leather in the bright rays of the golden sun.
Not trusting myself with a response, I left the building.
Later that night, the group had gathered in a noisy inn to have dinner and drinks. Street musicians made their way into the tavern and the sounds of music and laughter played on my nerves like never before. I kept watching Alina in her new flying suit. Her hair was neatly braided and her dark eyes darted from one dancing couple to another. I did not know her, but I could tell that she wanted to dance. It was as plain and clear as if she had leaned forward and told me herself.
“She’s pretty, isn’t she?” Frid commented as she sat beside me. I gave her a side eye. “Look, I know that I didn’t follow your orders, but I just did what I thought was right. I know itprobably doesn’t look good that I undermined your leadership–” I shook my head. “What?” she asked. I looked back at Alina. “She can’t go very far if she runs,” Frid added.
At that moment, a man offered Alina his hand and she accepted it. He looked like one of the city guards with his standard short sword, and a set of keys that dangled on his belt. I clenched my jaw, witnessing the young man leading my prisoner to the middle of the dance floor.
Frid watched me for some time, moving her head from me, to the girl in the black leather suit before quietly stepping away.
CHAPTER TWELVE
