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She gently took his hand and helped him into the nearest inn. Even at this late hour, it was busy with customers eating dinner huddled by the blazing fire.
Jonas adjusted his eye patch as Lys placed a few coins on the innkeeper’s counter. “What will this get us?”
The innkeeper pushed his spectacles up on his nose. “This is plenty for a night’s stay in a comfortable room for you and your . . .” He frowned at the pale, sweaty Jonas.
“Husband,” Lys provided.
“Husband. Yes. And you’ll get a fine dinner out of this, too.” He spoke pleasantly, but the innkeeper’s forehead remained creased. “Young lady, pardon me for saying so, but your husband looks rather ill.”
“That’s because he is rather ill.” She placed two more silver coins on the counter. “Which is why we’re also looking for someone to help him. We need someone with very particular, very special abilities, and we’re willing to pay very well for information.”
The innkeeper raised an eyebrow. “Special abilities?”
Lys leaned closer to the man and lowered her voice. “We need a witch who is extremely skilled with earth magic.”
The man stepped back, sweeping a cautious gaze over Lys and Jonas. “A witch? My dear girl, you know you’re in Limeros, don’t you? This isn’t Auranos; our laws regarding witchcraft and dark legendry aren’t so relaxed. The king imprisons—often executes—anyone accused of witchcraft, and he doesn’t look fondly on anyone who helps them in any way.”
Jonas turned to the dining room and noticed a few people shooting curious looks their way. He homed in on one in particular: a woman in a black satin cloak, her face concealed by shadows.
“Forget it, then. We don’t want to get anyone in trouble,” he said. Then Lys squeezed his hand, hard. “Ouch!”
“Sir, I understand the risks but we’re willing to take them,” Lys said. “You see, we’re only newly married and . . . and I’m already with child.” Tears brimmed in her brown eyes. “I can’t lose my darling husband so soon. I need him, don’t you see? I’m lost without him to protect me and care for me. Please, I’ll do anything to heal him. Anything, you understand? Please help us.”
Jonas couldn’t help but be impressed by Lysandra’s skill at manipulation. He decided to stay quiet and let her take the lead.
The innkeeper stared at her, his brow furrowed, until Jonas saw tears forming in his eyes. “My dear, dear girl. You are so brave . . . you’re both so brave. This world needs more young people like you who are willing to take great chances. Love . . .” He shook his head slowly, “It’s all that matters, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is,” Lysandra agreed. “So can you help us?”
“If I could, I would. Truly. But any witches rumored to be in this area are long gone.” His expression grew pensive. “However, I’ve heard several can be found in Ravencrest. I would strongly urge you to try to find assistance there.”
Ravencrest, the capital of Limeros, was several days’ journey from the border.
Jonas wasn’t sure he had that much time left.
They ate, they slept, and before dawn the next morning, they left the inn, with a plan to somehow find—or steal—two horses to help speed up their journey.
Jonas tried to keep his steps steady and swift and not let Lysandra know how much weaker he’d grown since yesterday.
Suddenly, Lysandra clutched his arm. “Someone’s following us,” she whispered.
Jonas stopped short, his stomach plummeting. “I’m not sure if I can fight,” he admitted reluctantly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”
Jonas again tried to keep his footing, but his smooth-soled boots weren’t made for such icy-slick pathways. They turned a corner, then another, and then Lysandra motioned for Jonas to go ahead. He went, his staggering footsteps crunching loudly in the snow, while she waited behind the trunk of a large oak tree near a row of shops, its branches heavy with icicles.
A moment later, Jonas saw Lys lunge out from her hiding spot and grab hold of a cloaked figure. She slammed her victim against the wall, pressing the edge of Jonas’s jeweled blade to the stranger’s throat.
When it became clear that their stalker had been caught, Jonas drew closer and saw that the figure was about the same size and height as Lys. “Why are you following us?” she snarled.
“Your weapon isn’t necessary,” answered a female voice.
Jonas knew her words meant nothing to Lys, who trusted people less easily than anyone Jonas had ever met. And despite her size, Lys was as dangerous as any man when she had to be.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Lys said, taking a more forceful grip on the dagger. “Who are you?” Before giving her time to answer, Lys pulled back the hood of her black satin cloak.
Jonas nearly gasped when he saw the girl’s lovely face, only a few shades lighter than her dark brown hair, set with a pair of emerald green eyes that gazed calmly at them both.
