Page 109 of Ravenrose

“But it’s not you I would worry about tonight, love.”

I frown, confusion knitting my brows together. “What do you mean?”

He pulls back just enough for me to see his face again.

His hard, cold, dangerous face.

“The villagers,” he says, gesturing lazily with his free hand in a way that is far too casual for the dark tone of his voice, “the innkeeper… Perhaps he has a wife… children too, maybe.”

My stomach drops, a grim understanding sinking through me.

“If they learn who you are... who I am…” His eyes are nearly black. “They’ll be the ones to pay for your mistakes, Princess,” he says, throwing my own title back at me.

I swallow hard. The gravity of Ayer’s threat hangs heavy in the air. Before, I only considered the village a source of warmth and food, but now, the thought that innocent lives might be at risk if I try anything, or if someone recognizes me, presses down on me. .

I nod. Slowly. Reluctantly. I agree.

A few beats pass, but Ayer doesn’t move. His hand remains on my chin and his gaze lingers, his steel-gray eyes studying mine, reading my expression until finally, he seems satisfied by whatever he sees there, and his hand falls away.

“Good,” he mutters, shaking out the hand that touched me before gesturing down the path. “After you, Your Highness.”

I don’t bother masking my scowl as I stalk past him.

The silence is thick between the two of us again as we round the bend together, a small but tidy village coming into view. Together we start down the hill, the power struggle between us a delicate but dangerous dance.

“Behave yourself, Princess,” Ayer warns one last time as we close in on the village entrance, his tone cold and unyielding. “For your sake, and theirs.”

Chapter 47

AYER

The village is nearly as silent as the woods when we finally enter the nearly deserted street. The billowing smoke from the chimneys shows that, unlike those of the other villages, its residents had not yet abandoned this one. It’s the middle of the night, and there are only a few people moving about.

The two mud-covered strangers walking through town draw interest until their curious gazes fall on my dark scowl, and suddenly they find an urgent need to be, well, anywhere else.

The inn is not difficult to find. A quaint little building just on the edge of town, there’s a soft orange glow coming from the windows, and smoke curls from the chimney above.

I can feel the princess’ glare on my back, but she can’t make me regret my threat. I meant it, too. I’m here for one reason and one reason only: to protect my people. There is no limit to what I will do to keep those I love safe. And one spoiled, bratty princess won’t stand in the way of that.

When we reach the inn, naturally, I hold the door open for Rowan, getting far too much enjoyment out of the way she rolls her eyes at me.

The tavern is empty, aside from a single man standing behind the bar, wiping the already spotless surface down with a rag. He’s older, heavy-set, with a pleasant smile and kind eyes that widen as he takes in the sight of us.

“My stars,” he breathes, taking me in first before his gaze pulls to Rowan beside me.

The man’s eyes linger on the princess a heartbeat too long, and my fingers twitch toward the dagger at my belt. I clear my throat, forcing my hand away from the hilt, reminding myself that this man isn’t a threat.

Old habits.

“Do you have any rooms available?” I ask, hoping to pull the man’s attention off Rowan, disliking the way he stares. “My—er—wife and I were hoping for a brief respite from our travels.”

Wife. Where in the stones did that come from?

Rowan makes a tiny, imperceptible choking sound, nearly snapping her neck at how fast she whips her head toward me.

I ignore her, keeping my face carefully blank while smiling politely at the innkeeper. Calling her my wife is the most believable story. Married couples travel together. And that little menace isn’t leaving my sight.

The stout innkeeper just blinks at the two of us for another half second before seeming to remember himself, nodding vigorously. “Yes, yes, but of course.” I clench my jaw when he looks her up and down. “My stars! Please don’t take this personally, but you two look like you’ve been through it!” He shakes his head as he looks us both over, his brows furrowing. “No bags?” he questions, looking right at me. His tone is light, but his eyes are sharp.