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He gives me a stern look. “We must go. The sooner we leave, the better. We are still being hunted, Freyja, or have you forgotten?”
“No, I have not.” I meet his gaze evenly as I stand from the bed. “I’ll get ready quickly.”
I know he’s right, but I’m not looking forward to trudging through the ice and snow again today. I’m exhausted already just thinking about it.
Sighing heavily, I turn to look for my clothes, but Aurdyn hands me a new set of fur-lined, leather pants, a tunic, and a thick, heavy cloak, along with a pair of boots that look like they might actually fit me properly. Surprised, I ask. “Where did you get this?”
“I ordered them last night and the Dwarves left them outside the room this morning.”
That was thoughtful of him. I smile. “Thank you. These look very warm.”
“They had better be,” he says gruffly. “I paid the Dwarf handsomely for these. If he used shoddy material, I will—”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” I rest a hand on his shoulder, trying to stop him before he gets all worked up and grumpy before we even start our day. I notice two cups of tea on the table, steam rising from the cups. He must have had them bring that for us as well. “Drink your tea, so you are not in a foul mood today, all right?”
He harrumphs, but walks over to the table and takes a cup while I make my way to the cleansing room to change.
After I get dressed, we eat a few of the supplies Moira packed for us. Now that he’s had his tea, Aurdyn no longer seems as grouchy as he was before.
When we open the door to leave, I stop a moment and glance back at the small room and sigh. “I was looking forward to having a day of rest here,” I lament.
“I wasn’t,” he grumbles. “This entire establishment reeks of Dwarf.”
He leans in and a warm puff of air hits the top of my head as he scents me, drawing in a deep breath.
“What are you doing?”
“You smell better than they do.”
A smile tugs at my mouth. He’s so dramatic.
He takes another long exhale and I put a hand on his chest, playfully pushing him away with a laugh. “You’re being ridiculous. Now, let’s go before you find something else to complain about.”
He narrows his eyes, but I notice the slight grin that plays on his lips.
Aurdyn puts the necklace back on, morphing into his human disguise, and we go downstairs, both of us pulling our hoods over our heads to hide our faces.
Fortunately, only a few people are in the tavern at this time, but it’s enough of a crowd for us to easily slip away unnoticed. I hope.
We’re not even halfway across the room when the front doors burst open, and dozens of Dwarves come piling in. Their clothing and skin are covered in dirt. “Must be the night shift coming in straight from the mines,” Aurdyn murmurs, wrapping a protective arm around my waist and tugging me into his side. I glance over at him and gasp at the flash of silver-white scales visible beneath his hood before tanned human skin replaces it again. “What is it?”
“Your disguise,” I whisper. “It’s failing.”
His eyes widen as he looks at his hand, the white scales and black claws blurring in and out of sight. “This should not be happening,” he murmurs. His head whips toward the door. “Unless—”
Six cloaked figures walk through the doorway. The first one lowers his hood, and I inhale sharply at his pale gray skin, raven-black eyes, pointed ears and razor-sharp teeth. “A Mage,” I whisper under my breath. “They’ve tracked us here.”
The other five men push back their hoods, and I inhale sharply. Their heavy leather tunics and pants and patterned metal armor mark them as hunters, loyal to the Order of Mages.
Aurdyn quickly pulls me aside and ushers me through the door that enters into a narrow hallway. “They do not know we’re here, but theyaresearching for us.” He glances down at his necklace. “I suspect the Mage has cast a hunting spell. His magic is affecting the stone’s power.”
I turn back toward the door, pushing it open just enough to see the Mage walk toward the innkeeper.
The Dwarf pales as he approaches. “How—how may I help you, fine sir?” Garvin asks, unable to hide the tremor in his voice.
Everyone fears the Order of Mages. They are powerful beings with magic to rival that of the Dark Elves and the Fae.
“We are searching for a woman,” the Mage says darkly. “A human with red hair. She is traveling with a Dragon.”
