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Do you mean the soldiers or the monsters? The girl asked sarcastically.
Both, I replied.
Whatever,she replied. Once you reach the in-between realms, no one will bother you.
You’ll keep the monsters away, I know, I replied. But until then, can you leave my mind so I can have some peace?
I can’t,she replied. Her voice had an apologetic tone for the first time. I need to make sure you’re fine.
I knew what she meant. It was her fault that there was a growing monster in me. She’d given me the curse to keep the connection between us. The transformation was slower than expected thanks to her intervention, but that also meant that she had to observe me constantly. I would not be able to infiltrate the queen’s lands and save her if I were to become a monster.
Can you do it silently? I asked frustratedly. I will need some rest tonight.
You know you don’t have to take turns sleeping, right? She replied. I can take care of the fae around while you sleep.
You mean sending monsters to kill them all? I asked.
No,she replied. I mean, I can keep the illusion on them. You can do it too, you know. Your power should work while you sleep.
I know. You told me, I replied, but I don’t know how to do that.
I can teach you, she said excitedly. It’s just...
Listen, I interrupted her. I’m tired. I’m hungry and cold. I don’t want a lesson right now.
She gave in to my scolding, and surprisingly, she became smaller inside my mind. I could still feel her there, but she would not disturb me anymore. She was rarely so considerate. I appreciated it.
We rode our horses on the main road until daylight faded. We were all exhausted. Until we saw chimney smoke rising in the distance; no one said a word.
It was later in the evening when we reached the town.
Like Dearen had predicted, no guards patrolled the streets; there were no roadblocks to interrogate new arrivals. It was a small town, and even though it was still comparatively early, the roads were empty.
The fresh snow on the ground was muffling the hoofbeats of the horses. Despite that, I could not help but feel like we were being very loud amidst the silence.
Back in Terlyth, wintry days like this would leave the streets just as empty. But the weeks I’d spent in Qam had taught me that the Unseelie didn’t mind the cold as much.
“Where do you think the inn is?” Fiona asked Dearen.
“It will be on the main road,” he replied.
And he was right. The inn was a three-story stone building in the middle of the town. The houses we had seen so far were mainly dark, whereas the inn was full of light. I even heard music as we approached it.
There was a small, seemingly empty stable next to the stone building. As we rode our horses toward it, a boy ran outside and welcomed us with a suspicious gaze.
“Do you have room?” Dearen asked the boy.
“You will have to ask that to the innkeeper,” he replied.
“And our horses?” Dearen asked.
“I can take your horses,” the boy said, his voice shrill as the possibility of receiving a tip put a glow of hope on his face. When Kieran got off his horse and put a coin on his opened palm, his smile widened. “I’ll give them oat too, sir. I think that one has a loose shoe. Will take care of it.”
“Thank you,” Brigid smiled at the boy as she got off her mare.
We entered the inn. It was crowded inside.
A wave of suspicion and doubt hit me as the doors closed behind us. The Unseelie stared at the intruders as if they thought we were here to take away the little safety they’d managed to hold on to.
