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That didn’t seem to calm him. He all but glowered at the gate that loomed in front of them. He growled another curse, then glanced back down at her. “If you find Zadir, you need to stay on the ship. If I’m not there by midnight—or at the first sign of soldiers—tell Zadir to leave.”
Her spine stiffened and she threw a look over her shoulder. “I won’t leave without you.”
Grayson’s hold on her tightened. “I’ll find another way to Duvan. Trust me.”
Nausea churned in her gut. “I trust you.” And she did. But leaving him behind in Ryden? She wasn’t capable of that.
He ducked his head beside hers, their temples brushing. “Everything will be fine,” he said. “Just promise me that you’ll stay with Zadir.”
“I will.” That was a vow she would keep, even if it meant convincing the pirate captain to come with her to look for Grayson.
She would not leave Ryden without him.
They were getting closer to the gate. The crowd was thick, but quieting as they neared the soldiers.
Grayson shifted behind her and swung off the back of the horse. He passed her the reins, his warm hand landing on her knee.
She looked down at him, her heart in her throat as she strangled the reins in her fists.
His gray eyes were stormy. “Don’t be afraid,” he said quietly. “I’ll find you.”
She wanted to tell him she wasn’t scared, but the lie would be obvious. As he disappeared into the crowd, she couldn’t stop a shiver from shaking through her. But even though she soon lost sight of him, she knew he was watching. She sat straighter on the horse and didn’t resist the press of the crowd that forced her closer to the soldiers.
There were four men guarding the gate, and they seemed just as cold and weary as those waiting to be searched. Two peeled back the cowls from grumbling faces, and the other two peered into the crowd with bored expressions. When it was Mia’s turn at the gate, she was told to push back her hood. She did so, letting them stare at her. Her scalp prickled under their scrutiny.
“What’s your business in Porynth?” one guard asked.
“I . . .” Fates, her tongue wouldn’t move. She cleared her throat. “I’m hoping to purchase some things in the market.”
“Traveling alone?” one guard asked.
“Yes.”
The man nodded, already looking away as he waved her through.
Her heart pounded, but she gently heeled the horse forward.
She’d barely made it two steps before another guard stepped forward, hand raised. “Hold for a moment,” he called.
Mia fought to steady her breathing, but her heart still raced. She tried to keep her face smooth. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
The soldier was young, probably only a handful of years older than she was. He smiled. “Not at all. I’ll be off-duty soon and I was wondering—if you don’t have any plans this evening—if you’d like to have dinner with me.”
She stared at him, her palms sweating and her thoughts jumbled. He was . . . asking to spend time with her? She didn’t understand why. She was travel-worn, and covered in dust. Tendrils of hair hung around her face, coming loose from her braid. Grayson had always called her beautiful, and Tyrell had said the same, but she often struggled to believe it; not after Papa and Mama had spent years telling her how ugly she was.
The soldier was waiting for an answer.
“I . . . sorry,” she said, her cheeks warm. “I’m meeting a friend.”
“Oh. That’s a shame.” He looked genuinely disappointed. He rocked back on his heels, giving her one last smile. “Enjoy your time in Porynth.”
She offered a timid smile, then urged the horse forward. While she did, she also tugged her hood back over her head.
The streets of Porynth were paved, the stones rubbed smooth with years of heavy traffic. There were carts, wagons, and carriages, and those trying to make progress found it slow due to all the milling people. Mia was grateful to be on a horse, and not caught in the thick of the crowd. From her higher vantage, she could see better where she was going.
The crowd’s momentum pulled her deeper into the city, and discomfort rose. She’d handled the crowd at the Edgewood inn without issue, but this city was so much larger. She didn’t like being surrounded by so many people. The sights, smells, and sounds were foreign to her, but they loosened old memories of visiting other cities when she was a child. She had felt small then, too—but she hadn’t been overwhelmed by it all, like she was now.
Shops lined the streets and homes were built on the floors above. Smoke curled up into the sky, which was growing overcast as the sun set, and the scent of burning wood wove around the smells of grime and sweat. She could also smell baking bread, which made her mouth water and her hollow stomach clench. Memories assaulted her.
