My chest seized as the blood drained from my face. I couldn’t move as suddenly the walls of the small bakery felt like they were closing in on me. The Winged Soldiers were here…
Washehere?
Gods. If that was the case…
I could hear the whip slashing through the air. Feel the way it burned like a thousand fires across my back. Smell the sandalwood mixing with the coppery tang of blood.
My mouth opened as I struggled to breathe. Everything was becoming too much. If he was here…
I shook my head.
I wouldn’t go back. Death would be better. Not now that I’d gotten a taste of freedom. One day wasn’t enough to make up for a lifetime of imprisonment.
Beside me, Xander ignored my panic and chuckled as though nothing was wrong. “Really? I wonder who High King Edgar has them searching for?”
“My husband heard…” The female’s voice trailed off, her head tilting as she checked to make sure we were alone before lowering her voice even further. I had to strain to hear what she said. “Prince Remington was supposed to be married yesterday, but the ceremony never took place.”
“No!” Xander gasped, slapping a hand on the counter. He shook his head sorrowfully. “Such a shame. And to think we could have had a new princess.”
The female sighed, shaking her head. “Yes, isn’t it so sad? ”
Xander nodded solemnly. “Terribly so.”
Magdelina, clearly caught up in the zeal of having someone to gossip with, continued in a whisper. “In fact, I heard people say the bride-to-bejiltedthe Prince. He was waiting there, dressed in the colors of the House of Irriel—you know no other colors would do.”
Xander nodded sagely. “Of course not.”
“And she never showed up! Can you imagine? Who wouldn’t want to be married to that male? Heir to Ithenmyrandthe second most powerful Death Elf on the entire continent? I just can’t imagine what female wouldn’t want that kind of life.”
Snorting, I covered the sound with a cough. Both Xander and the female stared at me. I turned away, coughing into my elbow.
“Forgive my wife,” Xander whispered, patting me on the back as I adjusted my hood. “She has a touch of illness. You were saying about the soldiers who were here yesterday?”
“Yes, there were three doz—”
Just then, the bell above the door rang. The female jumped, her cheeks reddening as her mouth slammed shut. She shoved two loaves of bread into brown paper roughly before handing them to Xander.
“Here you go, sir,” Magdelina said. Her voice was much higher-pitched than it had been moments before. “Have a great day.”
Xander nodded, grabbing the bread, before placing his hand on the small of my back. Even through all the clothes I was wearing, I felt the heat from Xander’s skin like a brand as he led me to the door. “Thank you, Mistress DuBois.”
Once we were outside, he handed me one of the loaves before steering me down the street. Somehow, it had gotten even busier while we were in the bakery.
I had so many questions, so many things to say, but one look at Xander’s hooded face told me to keep my thoughts to myself. His eyes were wide with warning as he steered us through the growing crowds. I was getting used to the sounds of the city and found that they weren’t bothering me as much as before.
Both of us ate our loaves in silence as Xander navigated us through the busy streets. He only removed his hand from the small of my back when we entered a massive square.
I felt the lack of heat the moment he pulled his hand away. Part of me—a very small part, and one that I refused to acknowledge—mourned the loss of his touch.
“Welcome to the Winter Market, Sunshine,” Xander whispered, offering me his arm as a rare smile flashed on his face.
I took the proffered limb as I slowly turned in a semi-circle. My mouth fell open as I took in my surroundings.
“Xander, this is…”
He grinned. “It’s quite large, isn’t it?”
“Mhmm.”