“We need a place to sit and think of our next moves, Sephania. After tonight, our resistance is hanging by a thread. Losing my manor is the first tower to topple. Others will follow.”
“Action would be better than sitting and thinking,” Vallan says.
“Where are we going then? What is north, here in the countryside, besides hills and woods and prairies?” I pry.
“An ally,” Skar answers. “Demilord Tymon Aldion has a nearby estate hidden among the trees. He can provide us respite for the time being. Besides, his mate is a friend of yours, I believe.”
Aelin, the tall, pretty, lanky Grimdaughter I hope to never see unless I have to. “Calling her afriendof mine is a massive overstatement,” I mutter.
“Because she molested your fabricated comrade in your story to Chronicler Kleora?” Skar probes, folding his arms.
“Just because Jinneth was fake doesn’t mean Aelin didn’t actually hurt a friend of mine. It was just a different one.” I tilt my chin defiantly, growing frustrated. “So we’re housing with a vampire I hardly know, when Overlord Aramastun said the countryside manors will be the first he reclaims? Sounds stupid. Why not go to the Chained Sisters?”
“And put them in more danger than they’re already in?” Skar growls, baring his fangs as he steps toward me. “Your recklessness is showing, love. I thought you cared about your mother—thetrueJinneth—and Iron Sister—”
“We would never make a westward trek through the country and into Olhav past Aramastun’s army, lass,” Garroway interjects, simplifying Skar’s lashing before it can become more venomous.
I pout at the vampire, nodding. “Fine.” I’m only saying fine because it’s him saying it rather than Skartovius.
“Can we get going? We’re wasting valuable time,” the ex-lord growls, turning to the mountain wall. “We can talk all about my lies and truths once we’ve found safe harbor.”
My eyes glance past Garroway, to the other half-blood in our gang. Lukain scrutinizes our group with his eerie purple-red eyes, staying silent. He undoubtedly recognizes the budding fracture between us, and I wonder if he understands he is at the center of it.
Vallan kneels in front of me, showing me his expansive back bulging with muscle. “If you will, my lady.”
I snort a small laugh and climb onto his back, wrapping my arms around his thick neck. His beard tickles my forearms. “So embarrassing.”
I glance sideways and see Palacia unceremoniously hop onto Lukain’s back, her slight form and yellow-green hair blowing in the wind. “I think it’s rather glamorous, treating us ladies like dainty princesses when they know we’re not.” Into Lukain’s ear, she says, “Lead on,Master.”
Her quip makes me smile. Lukain’s awkwardness only makes it funnier to see her riding him like an oversized backpack. As a fullblood vampire, there is no need for Palacia to use Lukain as a steed up this cliff. She could make the climb as easily as the rest of them—possiblyeasierthan a dhampir like Lukain with her newfound strength. But she wants to put the man who turned her in his place, and her cutting words prove that.
Once Pala has her legs wrapped around his hips, Lukain shuffles to the cliff and flares his nostrils. “Fine, so long as you don’t dig that thing into my back,princess.”
Palacia shimmies on him, muttering, “I’m afraid it can’t be helped, sir.”
Lukain shakes his head and begins climbing from the left side of the tunnel exit. He precariously places his feet on stones,on the craggy cliffs, and ascends. Garroway and Skartovius take the right side of the exit, doing the same.
Vall and I are last. I inhale Vallan’s earthy scent and take the same body-hugging stance as Palacia, listening to the deep breaths of my huge mate and growing warmer by the second in the brisk chill. “This isn’t so bad, is it, my big brute?”
A low, guttural sound passes his lips. “Best part of my night, having you clambering over me.”
“Only out of necessity,” I remind him, smiling.
He grunts as his muscled arms extend to the next hand-hold in the rocks. I’m reminded of the time I hid in the shadows of the North Mines overhang, watching as a plethora of enemy vampires stole Palacia and other yellow-haired interfolk miners in huge bags slung over their shoulders, and jumped up a sheer rock face like this.
“Perhaps once we’re safe in a room tonight,” Vallan murmurs, ripping me back to reality with his smoldering tone, “I’ll come and show you how necessary it is for you to have your hands all over me, silverblood.”
Heat pools in my belly from his brooding promise. I become aware of his every muscle beneath my clothes, flexing and contracting as he climbs an impossible climb. I lightly squeeze my hips around his, grinding against him. “I can’t think of a better way to end this harrowing evening, brute.”
Once we’ve ascended the steep face of the mountain, Vallan and Lukain put me and Palacia on our feet and we resume our journey. I try to ignore the heavy mound swishing in Palacia’s nightgown as she walks off, growing jealous because Lukain ismymate and not hers.
Lukain steps up beside me as Palacia waddles toward the rest of the group walking slightly bowlegged. “Don’t worry, little grimmer, she enjoyed it far more than I did.”
I snort, smiling, and bump his shoulder.
For some reason, out here in the cold freedom of night, with the wind catching our hair and the sights of the mountain crests and valleys crisp in every direction, the intensity of our predicament simmers. I still feel the pervasive sense we’re in mortal danger, yet it’s lessened by the protection cocoon of the Olhavian Peaks.
Skartovius leads us northward, cutting the way we came underground but in a wide berth that skirts far outside of Manor Marquin. Aramastun Wyvox came to us with an army, and we don’t want to test the size of his company.