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Chapter 4
It took us a day’s ride to reach the boundary of Wildfire, then we rode another half a day through the forest before we arrived at the tea plantations atop the foothills at the base of the mountains. Among the rows of plants, workers picked tealeaves, depositing them into baskets on their arms. Carrying the full baskets to wagons, they emptied them before returning to the field to gather more. In a bare field opposite this, a Clydesdale dragged a plow across the bare dirt, preparing the fields for planting. In the heart of the fields stood a large manor, several long halls in a row that reminded me of the sleeping quarters for the workers in my orchards, and a series of storage sheds.
My stomach rumbled as we passed the crops. All the food Rumi had prepared for me was wet and rotten—not fit for eating. Soon, I’d need to dispose of it, but not in such an obvious location, as I feared leaving behind my scent for the hounds.
Crossing the plantation, we came to a small patch of vegetables, an orchard of fruit trees, and a line of berry bushes. Were these for the owners? Surely, they wouldn’t mind if I took a little for myself and let Poseidon have a nibble at the grass? I pulled on my horse’s reins, and he halted, allowing me to climb off him faster than I could say “hungry.” I picked at the berries with eager fingers, stuffing them into my mouth. Sweet and juicy raspberries exploded on my tongue. I pulled out my old dress, using it to collect more and store them in my satchel for the rest of the journey. Soon, I had enough to feed me for a day, and a few carrots for Poseidon.
“What do you think you’re doing?” someone called out.
I jumped.Flipping hell.I dropped my stash, scattering berries on the ground.
The man thirty feet in front of me wore pants, a white shirt, and a vest of the finest silks, which gave away his wealth and privilege. No doubt, he was the owner or the manager of the place.
His powerful jaw tensed, and he ran a hand along his cleanshaven chin, giving me a terse look. He had a strong, proud face, a broad nose, and lips with a high arch.
My heart somersaulted. Not with fear, but at how handsome he was and the affect he had on me. He seemed born to lead, with his commanding, confident, no-nonsense expression. His delicious, caramel-colored skin glowed in the morning light beneath the hat that shaded his face from the sun. Eyes as gray as a stormy sky flashed green. They spoke of firmness tempered with kindness. I recognized him for what he was—a panther shifter. For the briefest moment, I wondered what it would be like to run my fingers along his neckline and jaw and brush my lips against his skin. No sooner had these strange feelings washed over me than they were gone, replaced with a readiness to dash away like a terrified bunny.
“Get out of here,” he said, flapping his rough hands like a farmer shooing away a crow from his corn. “You bloody thief!”
Very well. I scrambled to shove as many berries as I could gather onto my lifted skirt. Like hell was I leaving without some food when I’d starved half to death all these months.
“Hey!” said the man, giving chase. “Give that back, you filthy thief!”
“Poseidon,” I said, taking off at a run.
My horse trotted after me.
The man was quick, his footsteps twice as fast as mine. Soon, he’d caught up and grabbed my shoulder. I yanked free. Stupid mistake. Losing my balance, I crashed to my knees, the berries and fruit scattering once more. He yanked me to my feet and spun me around as if I weighed nothing more than a child. Then again, in my malnourished state, I almost did.
I cowered in his grasp, bracing for him to hit me. When he didn’t, I kicked him, yanked free of his hold, and took off again.
A wild growl behind me told me he was shifting.
Flipping hell.He was going to kill me. My pulse cranked up a notch. I pushed myself harder, my limbs straining from fatigue and weakness.
A weight slammed into my back. I hit the ground with a thud that rattled through my bones. A rock sliced my hand, and blood spurted onto the dirt. The pressure on my back eased, and I spun around, ready to kick the panther in the face if he dared touch me. One snarl turned my body to stone. But it wasn’t the man who had shifted. He stood off to one side.
“Here,” he barked.
The panther responded immediately, slinking away, his movements graceful and effortless.
If I weren’t careful, he’d set his animal on me again.
Poseidon threatened the panther, stomping in its face, forcing it to back off. Sea God, I loved my horse. He truly was the only one of his kind. Any other horse would have been a league away by now. But Poseidon, my faithful friend, remained by my side.
The man kicked the dirt on the road, producing dust. “Always stealing from the mouths of my workers,” he spat, grabbing my arm, squeezing hard.
I shrank away from him.
This wasn’t his food? Sea God. Guilt and fear writhed in my belly. I was too weak and hungry to fight him.
The creases in his forehead softened. Compassion flickered behind his gaze. He let me go and dusted off my skirt.
“Look at you,” he said, his voice full of pity. “So thin. How long has it been since you last ate?”
I didn’t say a word. My gaze fell to the ground. I didn’t need his pity. All I needed was some food, and I’d be on my way.
“Who did that to you?” His tone adopted an aggressive edge, as if he wanted to rip someone’s head off.
