Fyn raced Merda to the next village with Ivy trailing us. Every jolt had me far too close to him.
At least he didn’t call me raindrop again.
I had already forgotten the name of the village we were staying in when we settled in our room for the night.
“There’s no sofa. Just the bed.” Water dripped in a pool at my feet when I pulled off my cloak.
He grabbed it from me and put it on the back of a chair. “It’s unlikely it will fully dry by morning.”
“Sharing a horse is one thing, but I am not?—”
“The floor will do just fine for me.”
“I need to get out of these clothes.” I hated the way they clung to me.
“There’s a washbasin in the corner if you wish to use it.” His hand rested on the door handle as he looked back at me. “Ashlyn.”
“Yes?” I tugged at the leather strap at the base of my braid until my hair fell free.
“I’m sorry I stole you,” he said. “I know it changes nothing.”
My shoulders fell as I looked up at him. “I appreciate the apology.”
CHAPTER TEN
ASHLYN
Morning came too quickly. At least the rain had stopped.
We rode for most of the day before we reached the village of Sygil. I watched the fae as they passed each other. Familiarity echoed in every conversation. I longed for that kind of comfort amongst my own kind.
Laughter roared behind us as cart wheels clanked on the stony ground. Ore had been packed tightly within. It shone on the backs of the wooden carts that pulled it.
“What are you trading for it?” I asked when we had reached the inn.
“Coin and crops,” he said as he handed our horses off to a fae girl who tended to the stables next to the inn.
“You pay for it?”
“We certainly don’t steal it.” His laughter was cut short as a group of fae walked past.
No one seemed rattled by the noise. Maybe they had all learned to tune out the clatter. A heavy metallic scent hung in the air—too bitter to breathe.
The sun slowly slipped closer to the horizon. “What will we do for the rest of the night?” I asked.
“The Ever Tell has my favorite tavern inside,” he said. “Their meat pie is incredible. Hopefully you’ll like it better than last night’s meal.”
“You’re taking me into the tavern?” Every inn had been above one, but we never stepped inside. I had never even seen one before this journey. It seemed like I wasn’t allowed to enter them.
His voice became a whisper. “Yes, Your Highness. I hope you can find it in yourself to sit among us commoners.”
“You’re not exactly a commoner, Lord Chancellor.” My voice lowered to match his.
Tiny blooms clung to vines that trailed the stone walls of the inn. They reminded me of the ones my sister grew. Deep ember-colored paint thickly coated the door with streaky globs.
The slender doorframe made Fyn appear taller as he stepped inside. “I know this one well. It is safe enough for you.”
Stiffness settled into my back. I arched it slightly. No matter what I did, it hadn’t eased.
