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A man leaps from the thatch of a roof. He stands with his legs spread and arms on his hips. He’s dressed similarly to Cassian but wears forest green rather than navy. A hood hides his features, but his air of cockiness and the fine cut of his cloth speak of his standing. Urging Zohar closer, I narrow my eyes and stare up at him. There is something eerily familiar . . .
“Robin of Loxley! Get yourself down here this instant.”
The man throws his hood back and shades his eyes with a hand. “Snow White? Is that you?”
I roll my eyes. “No, it’s Aoife, Queen of the Fae.”
Cassian nudges Fire Heart closer to me and crosses his arms, mimicking Robin. “Why the hell did you shoot at me? Still sore over when I dunked you in the lake?”
Robin skates down the side of the roof and jumps off, landing as nimbly as a cat. He stalks toward us, a wide grin stretching across his face. Cassian dismounts, holding his hand out to me. I take it and slide gracelessly off Zohar, who helpfully prances to the side. Luckily, Cassian catches me before I land in the dirt in total humiliation.
Robin’s parents had been friends with mine before their tragic passing many years ago. He was a regular visitor at the palace before my mother passed, although spent more time with Cassian, as they are of an age.
He grabs Cassian by the shoulder, planting an exaggerated kiss on his cheek before thumping him on the back. “Sorry, Cass. Didn’t recognize you with all those muscles. Who knew your scrawny ass would grow up into this?” He gestures at him before turning to me. “Princess.” He bows, then takes my hand, placing a kiss on the back of it. Cassian growls and moves closer to me, making Robin chuckle. He releases me and steps back, raising his hands in the air. “Now, now, I have my own lovely maiden, I have no need for yours. Although I’m happy to see the two of you together. Watching you moon over each other even as children was nauseating.”
Snorting, I cross my arms over my chest. “Mmm. And just who would be crazy enough to take you on?”
“I’m hurt, Snow, truly. I thought we were friends.”
Chuckling to myself, I glance around, then widen my eyes comically. “Oh, hello!” I say to the empty space to the left of Robin. “It’s so very nice to meet you.” I hold a hand out while Cassian guffaws.
Robin narrows his eyes. “Funny. Our scouts saw you coming three miles ago. The rest of my group are in the huts at the far end of the village.”
“And you didn’t know it was us?” Cassian asks incredulously. He tips his head toward the flags, still being carried by the invisible standard-bearers. “They didn’t give it away?”
“Just because you carry the flags, doesn’t mean it was the princess. It could have been the queen or the huntsmen. They’ve been plaguing the countryside for months.”
“Is there enough room for us to stay here tonight?” I ask Robin. “Or maybe two?” The horses could use an extra day of rest, we’ve been riding them hard.
Robin shades his eyes, looking over our group. “There should be enough if we double up. There’s a stable with a connecting paddock on the other side of the village for the horses. We’ve set up in the inn.” He points to a pale-yellow building on the other side of the square. “Feel free to join us for a drink after you’ve settled in. The proprietors left several casks of ale behind.”
The dwarfs cheer at this, and my lips curl into a smile. Merlin takes charge, doling out cottages and huts. After we freshen up and take a short nap, Cassian and I emerge from the little one-bedroom cottage Merlin assigned us. He pulls me close, scanning the area for any threats.
He makes me feel safe and protected, something I haven’t felt for so long it’s almost foreign. Leaning back on my heels, I pull him to a stop. A line creases his forehead when he peers down at me. “What is it?”
Pushing up on my toes, I place my free hand on his cheek. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asks, searching my face.
“For being patient with me. For protecting and caring for me.”
Untangling our hands, he rests them on the side of my neck, rubbing his thumbs over my cheeks. A delicious shiver rolls down my body, and the love shining in his eyes both excites and humbles me. “Always,” he murmurs before lightly pressing his lips to mine. “Now, come on, let’s go see what Robin’s up to.” He tucks my arm into the crook of his elbow and pulls me after him.
Evening fell during our nap, blanketing the village it its dark embrace. Someone has been good enough to set torches into the ground, their glow creating a dim path to the inn. Thick shadows huddle like wraiths in the narrow spaces between cottages, and my overactive imagination creates danger where there is none. A shudder rolls over my shoulders, and I press myself more firmly into Cass’s side.
We round the corner, the brightly lit inn coming into view. Laughter spills out of the open door, drawing us toward it like a beacon. As much as the sound brings me joy—there has been too much devastation of late—it also brings me sadness. This should be a common event, not a rare one. It makes me even more determined to destroy Morana and return my country to what it once was.
Someone has set up hay bales in the square, each one farther than the last, and each containing a target. A few have arrows embedded in them, while still more litter the ground. Robin laughs and jests with a group of his men, while a beautiful woman with waist-length auburn hair looks on with an amused smile as she watches him.
We come to a stop beside her, and she hastily curtsies. “Your Highness.”
“Please, none of that. Snow is fine. I heard Robin has finally met his match. Would that be you?” The torchlight is bright enough to see the blush spread across her cheeks. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that suffers from the affliction.
“It would. Maid Marian, Your Hi—sorry, Snow. And this is Little John.” She gestures toward the man on her right. I blink up at the man that towers over everyone here. I doubt the man was little even in the cradle.
Cassian shakes his hand, and we’re introduced to a few others standing around. A round, pleasant-looking man with an ale-flushed face by the name of Friar Tuck passes around pints of ale, which I gratefully take. “Is this all of your numbers?” I ask Marian once I’ve slaked my thirst.
She cranes her neck, glancing over the square. “No. There are a couple of families and elders traveling with us. They’ve remained in their dwellings for the evening.” Robin bounces over and slings an arm over Marian’s shoulder before tossing a mock glare at Cassian.
