Page 55 of Gilded Curses

She suspected one or more of their new games would soon involve her and Orin’s relationship. And since they were at the mercy of these monsters, there wasn’t much they could do to stop it.

The possibilities of what they could do to them caused her to tug at the neckline of the far too fancy dress these assholes had selected for her. Stay focused on the now. Worrying about the future is pointless.

“I hate this place,” Pip whispered.

“There’s still hope,” Sahira said.

She glanced back at the guards, but most were focused on the trees or talking with each other. They wouldn’t notice if she waved her fingers in front of her and uttered a small spell to ensure their words didn’t go beyond them.

“What are you doing?” Elsa asked.

Sahira finished casting the spell before speaking. “I have to tell you something, but we don’t have much time. They didn’t notice the spell.”

Sahira looked back to ensure this, but none of the guards paid any attention to them. Hecate, these idiots really believed they weren’t a threat to them. It was extremely helpful but infuriating.

She looked forward again and told them about last night’s events as quickly as possible. When she finished, Elsa stopped walking.

“Keep going,” Sahira hissed.

Elsa pointed to a tree, remarked on its color, and continued as if that was why she’d stopped. She fell into step beside Sahira again.

“How do we find the stones… if they exist?” Elsa asked.

“I think Orin is the only one who can search for them. He could probably take me with him, but I have a feeling he’ll argue against it, and he’ll have a point. It would be better if he had someone to watch his back, but he can move faster without me and won’t have to be concerned about keeping us both cloaked.”

“He can take me,” Pip offered. “I’ll be on him, and I can watch his back. He won’t have to worry about us getting separated or anything like that.”

Sahira didn’t like the idea of Orin going out there with just a brownie, but she didn’t know what else they could do, and it would be a battle to get Orin to agree to take her. She already knew she wouldn’t win it… but would he take Pip?

Most likely not, but it was an option.

“He could take you,” Sahira murmured. “Although, I’m sure he’ll fight that too.”

Pip lifted her tiny chin. “The stubborn man will lose that fight.”

“I hate being unable to help in this,” Elsa said.

“Me too,” Sahira said. “But we can watch for anything unusual in the castle or on the grounds. That could give Orin a place to start searching for the stones. I’m going to release the spell now. Hopefully, we can talk more at another time.”

Sahira waved her fingers in front of her so the guards couldn’t see them moving and undid the spell. Commenting only on the beautiful bushes and the possible magical properties of them and their flowers, the three of them continued strolling the garden as if everything was perfectly fine in their lives.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

They rode miles away from the castle before arriving at a place full of giant trees with vivid red trunks and bright orange leaves that leapt like flames in the sun streaming through them.

Not only had they brought horses and a carriage full of supplies, but six of those massive dogs also accompanied them. Orin had no idea what they were hunting; given the contingent and supplies, it was huge.

For all he knew, the four of them were to be the hunted. The possibility had niggled at the back of his mind ever since Desmond declared they would go on a hunt.

When he climbed on the black stallion they handed him, he knew he could be riding into a trap, but they were greatly outnumbered, and fighting it would only jeopardize Sahira. They could be riding out to be the entertainment or leaving the others behind for the same thing to happen.

Orin glanced back toward the castle. They’d ridden far enough away that he couldn’t see it nestled deep in its valley.

The idea of leaving Sahira behind had created an anxiety he’d never known before; it scratched at his insides as deeply as the claws of the wendigo that had once speared him. He’d rather experience that again than this inescapable need to return to her.

He was more scared for her than he was for himself. He didn’t know what that said about him, her, or their relationship, but it was true.

First, he had to get through this afternoon; it would be long as he was sure some new game was unfolding. And what better game to play than to separate them from each other and let uncertainty reign?