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“Don’t be so sure. The best sex happens when the stress is greatest.”
My mouth rounded in shock. “Qynn!”
“Don’t be a prude, Ash.”
“I can’t believe you’d encourage it.”
“Why do you think I volunteered to come along on his mission? I knew you would follow.”
“I thought you wanted to retire and enjoy a life of luxury.”
“Can’t have luxury if monsters eat everyone.”
It led to me muttering, “Don’t tell me you want to be a hero too?”
“I want to make a difference.”
Apparently, I did, too, because I didn’t run away screaming. I dressed and packed the extra robe—but not the pantaloons and vest. I included the potions I’d made, plus a few of my jars of powders. Maybe I’d have an opportunity to make more.
Qynn left, and I realized she didn’t wear a veil. Neither did Kya or even Palla. When had they decided to not hide in public anymore? Or was it because they didn’t think we’d ever come back?
Unlike them, I covered my head before I left the room. I kept expecting someone to point and yell, “King’s whore.” I came across no one as I made my way to the courtyard.
It kind of felt like the end of everything I knew as we stood gathered in the courtyard, wearing cloaks with hoods covering our heads, mostly because the winds were starting. While people ran around battening shutters and rounding up loose items, we made our way to the lowest level of the city. The guards conveniently never looked our way as we exited the main gate.
Into the storm.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Most people hunker down when the winds start whipping in the desert. More than one storm I’d spent huddled by Palla’s side, windows shuttered and curtains drawn, listening wide-eyed as Kya told us stories. Some of them impossible to believe, like the time Qynn supposedly went to see the ocean, got kidnapped by a pirate, and rescued by Kya before she could be fed to a giant squid as a sacrifice for good luck. It helped pass the time as the storm did its damage, keeping us smiling instead of fearful of the whistling destruction.
I’d always hidden from storms, never dared to confront one. Yet here I rode, leaving the safety of the city walls to ride into winds that already whipped sand particles hard enough to sting skin. I pulled my hood low on my face and tucked my hands up my sleeves, holding the reins best I could. So far, my corshmel behaved, but it trembled something fierce under me.
We kept close to the city’s outer wall, circling around, which made me wonder why we hadn’t exited on the other side. As the sky darkened to the point I could barely see, I worried about getting lost. Stick close to the wall. That was the plan.
It would have worked great if my mount hadn’t spooked. It reared, and I stupidly held on. I should have fallen; instead, I went for a ride, as my corshmel bolted. Away from the wall.
Away from safety and into the blinding storm, where I’d surely die.
The sudden grab had me shrieking, only to calm as I heard Daksh say, “I’ve got you.”
I released those reins and let him sweep me in front of him. I trembled. Fear and relief all at once. He kept one arm around me as he slowed his iguamel. His cloak fell around me like a shield, the heat and strength of him keeping me from panicking as the wicked winds worsened.
I didn’t dare ask if he knew where to go. We couldn’t see a thing, and yet the iguamel turned and appeared to move with confidence. I leaned against Daksh and let myself breathe. What a scary thing to have happen. Add in the fact I’d lost my bag and I was even more miffed. No spare clothes or ingredients. A good thing I’d kept all my active potions in the clothes I was wearing.
What would I eat?
For a second, the woe-is-me feelings hit. I knew what it looked like because it happened from time to time. Things got to a point where everything just got too overwhelming. I’d be crushed under the weight of it.
I’d taught myself to deal with it one piece at a time. My things could be replaced. The King oozed confidence. His hand stroked my back soothingly.
“Almost there,” he murmured.
One moment the wind whipped at us, and the next, we were passing through a gaping hole in the wall.
“We’re going back inside?” I didn’t say the words loud, but it was as if he heard me, and I had no problem with his reply.
“City access to this section was blocked in the third monster wave. It was easier to go around than try to get through the barriers.”
