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A shiver ran up her spine as his words lingered on her damp neck, and dread built within her. She sought out her gift again and found it heavy at the bottom of her stomach. But it should have worked. The clothes that were not her own itched, the neckline tightening. At least she had thought she had regained enough strength to give one simple command.
She was sure she had felt it.
Granted, it wasn't as strong as it normally was, but it should have been plenty. The heaviness of it told her otherwise.
Or maybe she was wrong. Maybe, she needed more time to regain her strength. A few strips of dried beef couldn't possibly tie her over. She knew that. She needed more nutrients, more energy.
She huffed. Fine. She would have to try harder. And next time, she would not fail.
Graeson removed the dagger from her neck. Kallie tried to spring for it, but the second she had spent trying to figure out why her gift hadn't worked had cost her the precious time she needed to grab the dagger before he slid it behind his back again. And before she knew it, her hands were sandwiched between his, her cheeks burning in frustration.
He rose a brow. "Distracted, Princess?"
Kallie scoffed. Sure, he was right. She had been distracted, but not for the reasons he probably believed. No doubt Graeson was the kind of man who thought everyone fawned over him. And it was unfortunate her plan would make it seem like she was one of many. But at least she knew the truth.
No man would make her give up her goals.
With a small chuckle, he shoved her toward the woods. The movement caused her to stumble, but his hand returned, stabilizing her.
When Kallie could see Calamity waiting beyond the trees, she dug her heels into the ground as an idea popped into her head. She looked behind her and met Graeson's chest.
Graeson's unamused eyes peered down at her."Get on the horse," he spat.Away from the river, the previous playfulness was gone and replaced with indignation.
"I need to relieve myself."
Graeson grumbled, but Kallie only blinked up at him.After staring at her as though he was trying to see if she was lying, he rolled his eyes, then tugged her away from the horse.
A few paces away, he shoved her behind a nearby tree.
She strolled over to a spot near a fallen branch hidden from the small group of people on the other side. She lowered her trousers and squatted down. In the open, she felt exposed. She scanned the area, spotting a sharp branch in arm’s reach. On the fractured branch, she began sawing at the rope. Small threads sprung from the rope as she sawed.
She had sawed it down over halfway when Graeson's voice rang from the other side of the tree. "Anytime now, Princess."
Kallie groaned. That would have to do for now, she supposed. But now she still faced one problem. “Can you not . . . listen? It's weird."
"Trust me. I'm not," Graeson mumbled.
"That's the problem, isn't it? I don't trust you," Kallie said. Holding back her laughter, she added. "Can you . . . hum or something?"
"What?"
"I don't know just hum. You know . . . to cover the sound?"
Graeson sighed heavily. While Kallie did not think her persistent guard would listen to her, it was worth a shot. But after a moment, he started to hum. It was quiet, but surprisingly in tune. A pleasing sound. Kallie smiled to herself and quickly took care of her business before he became suspicious. Enough of the rope was still intact that it wasn't noticeable but still thin enough that when the time came, she would be able to rip it apart.And if she took any longer, she did not trust that Graeson would not whip around the corner—trousers around her ankles or not.
She pulled her trousers back up, then walked back around the tree to where Graeson waited. Strolling past him, she headed toward Calamity. There was no point in letting her fear get the best of her. She had a job to do.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, she grabbed the pommel attached to the saddle and pulled herself up and over the horse. She looked down and noted Graeson's gaze locked onto her, quizzically.
"Get on the horse," she mocked.
He shook his head, clearing whatever thoughts stopped him in his wake, and quickly mounted. As Graeson settled behind her, Kallie quickly braided her hair into a single plait as she watched Terin approach.
When Terin was an arm's length away, he extended his arm. In his hand, were two items wrapped in cotton.
"For the ride." Terin pushed his hand forward.
When Kallie took the two bundles, Terin nodded at her and sauntered off to his horse.
