Page 182 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

The soldier who buried his blade in my back smirks and says something in his language. The other soldiers laugh and sneer until I grin back and their amusement withers.

Maybe they can read that look for what it means—that I’m going to enjoy killing them all.

“How much longer?” King Cheral tugs at his cloak collar as if uncomfortable.

“It depends. The plains are vast.” And he has been tight-lipped about where the army has camped. “If I knew where we were headed, I would be able to give you an idea.”

He peeks at Satoria. Whatever wordless exchange they share must be enough to convince him to loosen his tongue. “They have found adequate ground outside of a village named Baymeadow. Have you heard of it?”

I smile. “I have.” It’s where Gracen grew up. I check the position of the sun. “At this pace, we should arrive by nightfall.” The wagon that carries Tuella’s golden bird bath has set the leisurely pace.

King Cheral nudges his horse with his heels, goading it faster.

49

Tyree

“You have a little …” I drag my finger over my collarbone, in the spot where hay clings to Annika’s skin. Our wagon bumps along the road at a clip, the countless honey jars rattling. Destry is curled up on the floor by our feet, stinking of mead. I’m not sure she even made it to her bed last night, given she stumbled into the barn before the sun rose to announce that we were were leaving in five minutes.

Annika frowns as she peers down, angling her head. “Where?”

“Right …” I reach over and pick it off her, allowing my fingertips a moment to slide across her skin, reveling in the softness of it. “Here.”

She groans. “I have been finding it everywhere.”

“I can’t imagine why,” I say with a sly smile.

Her eyes flash with heat, but she covers the reaction with a mask of annoyance. “Because we slept in a barn like wild animals.”

My smile stretches. “Like wild animals. Yes. Definitely.”

She hooves my shin with her new boot—a gift from Uda, along with a fresh tunic, breeches, and cloak that were not pilfered from a corpse. The mortal must have traded the others for clean clothes.

I chuckle, even as I wince. I guess we’re going to pretend that didn’t happen last night? So be it.

She wraps her arms around herself as if she’s cold. “How long do you think we will travel for today?”

“We will stop in Basinholde,” comes a grumbled reply from the wagon floor. “It is a small city deep in the valley.”

I gently nudge Destry’s thigh with my toe. “You are awake, my friend.”

“It is impossible to sleep with all your gabbing.” She adjusts, curling up into a ball. “And mead makes my head pound.”

“Really? I quite liked it. And the honey. You will have to express my deep thanks to Ezra for the jar. I can promise, it was much enjoyed.” I study Annika’s reaction as I add, “Perhaps we can have another tonight.”

The corners of her mouth twitch, ever so slightly, but she refuses to relent to me.

I grin, letting her know that I see through her little charade. There is no point in pretending it was anything other than an unexpected but pleasurable night for her as well, not when I had her naked body undulating beneath my touch.

“Ezra is stingy. You will need to fight off another attack for that.”

Panic fills Annika’s face. “Will we be attacked again?”

“Not by bandits. We have moved away from Thievers Highway. If we are attacked, it will be by soldiers. May the light help us in that case. Ezra has fresh bread and cheese if you are hungry.” She groans, as if the mention of food stirs her nausea.

Annika’s nose wrinkles with disgust. “Do you always drink yourself to sleep?”

“Only when I am fortunate.” Destry tugs her cloak over her head, dismissing any more questions.

---