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Christopher turned away. “Yeah, maybe, though no one’s bothered us at least. I don’t think people around here are that impressed by royalty.” If the man was alone, the chances of him being Dash went up. It had been weeks since they’d seen each other, which meant it was probably about time for the shifter to pop up again. Christopher felt a pang of longing, but he pushed it aside. He could never be with Dash unless the highwayman agreed to change his ways, and right now, getting to his brother was far more important to Christopher. Renn needed Christopher’s support moving forward, and Simon and Renn needed each other, no matter what the two stubborn men said.
“I’m ready whenever you are,” Simon said, moving to check the horses hitched to the cart.
Christopher checked his own saddle one last time and then stroked his brown mare’s neck. “Ready to go, Cocoa?”
The horse gave him her attention for the briefest of moments and then turned away, looking down the road. Christopher laughed. “I’d say we’re ready.” He took another quick glance around. “The sooner the better,” he murmured to himself as that tingling sensation moved up his spine again.
* * *
Dash watched his mate mount the brown mare. Christopher and Simon both glanced around slowly as they moved away from the inn. Dash felt certain his mate had sensed him, and he waited until they were out of sight before grabbing his bag and heading downstairs to pay his bill. A couple of people eyed him curiously, which confirmed his suspicion that Simon had asked about him earlier. Since Christopher had chosen to make this journey without any guards, Dash felt glad of Simon’s protectiveness, but he didn’t want it to cost him a chance to talk to Christopher. He tried to act as if he wasn’t in any hurry, both to throw off any suspicion and to give Simon and Christopher enough of a head start. The road between Gateshead and Groveton was far too straight to follow behind them too closely. When he got to the stables, he checked his horse Balor thoroughly and stood chatting with a couple of the stable boys for a few minutes before walking the stallion through town, stopping more than once to talk to a few of the people he’d met since his arrival.
When he reached the edge of town, he started to mount Balor so they could get on the road, but instead he paused to look over at the Red Temple. The copper accents on the building looked beautiful as they caught the light. A cool breeze blew, and he took a deep breath. He patted his black stallion’s side and said, “Wouldn’t be a bad spot to settle, would it, Balor?”
“It’s a fine place to live, if it’s where the gods want you to be,” a voice said.
Dash turned to see the red-haired priest he’d met the day before. “The gods want me at my mate’s side. Just need to convince him of that,” he said. Crossing his arms, he added, “When we met before, you didn’t tell me you were the head priest.” He’d been enlightened by the bartender after Thorne had left the tavern the day before.
Thorne laughed. “Most people know who I am before I say one word. I guess I’m used to having my reputation precede me.”
Dash glanced down the road, weighing the risks of what he wanted to say next. “I probably would’ve figured out who you were ordinarily, but I was a bit distracted.”
“Thinking of your mate?” Thorne said with a smile.
Dash nodded. “Aron’s friend, Prince Christopher.”
Thorne’s smile faded a bit. “Ah.” He paused as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I take it there’s a reason you two aren’t traveling together?”
“We aren’t together in any way, according to him. He’s the youngest, but that doesn’t make him any less a prince. And there’s the age difference.”
“You’ve told him he’s your mate?”
Dash nodded again. “He knows it very well. He was fine with most of our differences until he found out something about me he didn’t like. It’s like that one thing tipped an already wobbly scale, you could say.”
“I see. Is this thing something you can change or do something about?”
“It is, and I’m working on it. But he wanted it all handled and taken care of like that.” He snapped his fingers. “Couldn’t accept it when I said it wasn’t so easy. Princes can change their lives overnight. The rest of us need more time.”
“I’m sure they can change some things, but being a prince probably ties his hands in many ways.”
“I know, but I can’t help feeling frustrated. We’ve been apart all this time because of this one thing.” He knew Thorne would understand better if he told the priest the whole truth, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to take the chance.
“Well, if it’s any comfort, he took a lot of interest in the ceremony. Asked lots of questions about shifters and spirit mates.” A hint of a smile returned to Thorne’s face. “And now I think I know why.”
“I’m happy to hear that. I wish it gave me more hope.”
“I won’t pry, but you said you’re working on this thing he objected to.” He nodded down the road. “If you haven’t already, you should tell him. Ask him to be patient. I don’t know how far you came to follow him here or how long ago you parted, but if he’s your spirit mate, you can’t give up.” A smile curved his lips again. “Or give him too much of a chance to get away.”
Dash smiled. “You’re mighty different from the priests I grew up around.” He mounted Balor and gave Thorne a nod. “Offer up a prayer to Jalal for me. I send one up to Vena almost every hour. Maybe if they work together, the next mate vow hosted here will be mine.”
The priest’s smile widened. “I’ll make your petition now and every day until I see you again.”
“Thank you,” Dash said, turning Balor onto the road and spurring the stallion on. Christopher and Simon didn’t have that much of a lead, but the conversation with Thorne made Dash that much more anxious to make his petition again. The last time they’d talked, Christopher had lingered a few extra seconds before running away. For the fourth time. If Christopher would give Dash a few extra seconds just once more, he’d take advantage of them and pull the younger man into his arms, which was where he belonged. All Dash had to do was hold on long enough for him to admit it.
