Page 127 of A Courage of the Chosen

That’s how the first day passes, all of us not daring to share more than a few words in order to leave whatever creatures reside here alongside the Skelf unaware of our presence. When we stop for the night, Cal informs us that we’ll be rejoining the path we should’ve been taking come daylight.

The detour has added a few extra hours to our journey, but we’ll still only have two nights of camping to contend with.

The rain arrives as we’re all settling down, big fat droplets that spear down through the trees and land with a thunk, soaking everything in the space of a few minutes. Rach and I scramble to keep some firewood dry, while Callahan, Brodie, and the guards erect some kind of shelter over the fire that protects it from going out. We all huddle together beneath it as roasted rabbit is passed around with cheese. I’m quiet as the rest of the group engages in light conversation about what they plan on doing when they return home.

One of the guards is expecting a baby with his wife.

“Wait,” I interrupt him when he says she’s due any day now. “You came on this trip knowing you could miss the birth of your child?”

“Aye. It is an honor to serve, Your Majesty. And when the general specifically requests you for a mission, there are few men in this realm that would ignore their call to duty.”

All the soldiers nod their agreement, but something about that doesn’t sit right with me. “Well, if your child has been born while we’re away, you’ll take some time off to be with your new family. And when you’re ready, I would like to meet them. And your lovely wife.”

He pauses with food halfway to his mouth. “T-thank you, Your Maj . . . I mean, Elsie,” he corrects, when I arch my brow at him.

The guard lowers his gaze with color staining his cheeks, and Callahan’s mind presses up against mine. “They will remember that kindness.”

I don’t tell him that it seems like common decency to me.

The night is the most miserable I’ve ever had. The rain didn’t let up once, and sleeping seemed impossible when the drops sounded like iron pellets on the canvas of mine and Callahan’s tent. He was able to rest just fine, apparently.

“I’ve been at this longer than you. Eventually you learn to fall asleep anywhere, because being rested is more important,” he lectures over breakfast.

Rach rolls her eyes, moving her mouth as he talks, making some of the guards laugh under their breath.

“You know I can see you, right?” he sighs.

“And your point is?” she drawls.

Callahan throws a slice of apple at her that she skillfully avoids with a snicker. “Don’t waste food, dear brother. We have a long way to go.”

“It’s too early for all . . . this.” Callahan gestures in Rach’s direction and rises to begin packing up camp.

“He’s so easy to rile up,” she whispers to me as we join in so we can get on the road quicker.

“You’re as bad as each other,” I reply, smiling at the bond between them, and the back-and-forth that only comes from the unconditional love of a sibling.

Within the hour, I’m astride Mabel, and we’re slowly weaving the horses along the narrow road until it widens out onto the route we were supposed to take.

The forest isn’t as dominating here, and a thread of tension loosens in my chest. But only temporarily.

Because, through the sheet of rain that soaks us to the bone, there’s a line of solid black blocking the path.

We’re not alone anymore.

Chapter 37

Elsie

A vicious snarl tears from Callahan as he unsheathes the broadsword from his back. “Protect your queen!”

The guards position themselves around me, a defensive circle that frankly won’t do shit against what waits for us. They stand a better chance if they get behind me, not the other way around.

Rach’s knee bumps against mine while we’re both still mounted, and our horses nicker nervously. She’s drawn her own weapon, and mist makes its way from her wrists all the way up to her shoulders in ribbons, ready for her to craft.

I keep Mabel’s reins in a loose grip, not bothering to unsheathe Lumiathar. The ancient blade won’t do me any service against the enemy smirking at me.

“You’re a long way from the safety of the palace, Elspeth.” Raghnall clasps his arms behind his back, like he’s out for an afternoon stroll, the silver-crafted crown that belongs to me shining on his head.