Page 25 of Feathers and Thorns

Soren handed him the ropes from the bow and joined him in making sure everything was secure. She had to admit he was a half-decent sea captain.

He helped Baz and Enara offboard, and then the group headed for the seaside shack to get out of the midday sun. Jai, like Soren, rarely burned, but Enara’s fair skin had reddened during their crossing.

“It’s so warm here,” Soren observed, tilting her head back to watch the clouds wisp across the clear blue sky.

Jai watched her, appreciating the way her hair flowed down her back to rest on the base of her spine. The soft skin of her neck peeked through the strands and, for a moment, he itched to brush it aside. However, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind. She was beautiful—there was no use in not admitting that to himself—but she was not Adaryn, no matter how much she reminded him of his lost love.

He had not so much as touched another woman since they had parted ways. A few had tried, but he would always find a reason to avoid garnering an invitation to their beds.

As they entered the shack, the four of them shook the sand from their boots and took a seat on the wooden floor. The color had returned to Baz’s olive face now that he was no longer at sea.

Enara looked at the trap door, fear creeping into her bones at what had almost happened to them in the tunnels. “Are we traveling to Edras Mora through the underground?” she asked.

“I thought we would stay topside this time around,” Jai replied, pulling some hardened cheese and baked crisps from his pack and passing them around.

Soren’s stomach grumbled as she took them gratefully. It might not have been the type of food she’d had back at the manner, but something was better than nothing.

“So, what’s the plan when we get there?” she asked. “It’s not like you can just waltz in waving those papers of yours.”

“I know a guy,” Jai replied, his voice muffled by the food.

“Uh-huh.” Soren gave him an incredulous look.

“The stable hand has been my best friend since childhood,” Jai explained, swallowing. “Everett will help us, no questions asked.”

Soren considered this and conceded. She couldn’t fault him, as her faith in her friends was also unwavering.

“We will rest here for a moment longer then head to Driedon. We can stop there to break again before heading to Amerus, then take the tunnels from there into Edras Mora.”

The trio muffled their agreeance, and the four of them settled in for a short power nap. They had a long night ahead of them.

* * *

Gaining entrance to the castle grounds was easier than they had expected, especially considering it was well past twilight. The group had donned servant robes to cover their training gear, leaving their packs and larger weapons in a hollowed-out tree just beyond the edge of the estate. They had debated if Jai should just go alone, but arriving as a group made them less suspicious, oddly enough.

The first set of guards barely gave them a second glance as they shuffled through the gate. They bowed their heads low and scooted past onto the property. Palm trees and cacti decorated the area in patches of soft white sand, a few of them sprouting bright pink flowers. Cobbled paths made of white stone splayed out before them, heading in this direction and that, and all the spaces in-between were filled with well-groomed bushes and low-cut grass.

Jai directed them toward the stables, explaining in a hushed tone that Everett’s living quarters were located above the horse stalls.

They walked with purpose, not so fast as to look rushed, but not as though they were up to some kind of mischief. The few guards patrolling the grounds paid them no mind, most likely under the assumption they were a group of servants returning from some much-needed downtime.

In the northernmost corner of the grounds sat a large stable. Enara guessed it was big enough to house at least two dozen horses, if not more. She was in awe, as the farms in Vreburn could only house two horse stalls, maybe four if the owner was well off. The wood was white-washed with navy accents, and it had a dark brown roof. It looked as though it had just been erected, as there was not a single fleck of paint to peel.

“You all stay here. I’m going to run up and get him,” Jai said before disappearing through the side door that they had not yet noticed until now.

The trio stood shivering. The evenings in Edras Mora were not cold per se, but the wind held the chill of the autumn tide after the sun went down.

“You guys are sure we can trust him?” Soren asked, nodding toward the closed door.

“I swear it on my parents, Sor,” Baz said sternly. “I know it’s hard for you, but I promise we can.” His tone softened as he reassured his friend.

“He’s one of the good ones, Sor,” Enara confirmed, giving Soren’s hand a quick squeeze just as Jai walked back out with the shaggy-haired stable hand. He had dusty blond hair and kind brown eyes, with a smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks.

“Hey, I’m Everett,” he said in a warm voice.

“Nice to meet you, man.” Baz extended his hand.

“Soren,” Soren said with an awkward wave. “And this is Enara.” She gestured to her friend.

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