Page 66 of Scourged

She couldn’t get over how it had all been soeasy. From the new servant girl to the lack of guards patrolling the halls to the absence of alarms, it had all lined up so perfectly.

Every lord in Onita, every member of the aristocracy, was in Khento, and it seemed as if they’d just … let her go.

The threads of her magic bubbled around her, feeling her drifting panic. She toyed with one between her fingers, the soft glow of the light and the brush of magic against her skin weaving a soothing pattern.

She let the magic dissipate into the air as she curled herself onto a bed roll, nestled into the soft forest floor betweenSebastian and Matheo. Despite the frayed disquiet of her mind, her exhaustion won.

Chapter 26

Mariah hadn’t woken when Sebastian and Matheo roused for their respective watch shifts.

She hadn’t woken when the sun crested the horizon or when the songbirds rang through the thick canopy overhead.

It was only when the twin crescent moons finally slipped from the sky that her eyelids fluttered open as if her body craved every moment of rest beneath their light. There were rustles and muted conversations as her Armature cleaned the camp and ate a meager breakfast. A horse nickered a few yards away, pawing at the earth.

But all those sounds faded away as she opened her eyes, adjusting to the morning light.

A black butterfly rested on the forest floor beside her, ebony wings slowly opening and closing. Its antennae twitched as she exhaled, breath rustling its delicate wings.

As she watched the butterfly, she had the distinct feeling the butterfly watched her back. Something threaded through her gut—something gold and silver and familiar, reaching desperately for the small creature sharing her waking space. She slowly lifted her arm, giving into instinct as she reached for the insect. The desperation to touch it, to confirm it wasreal, consumed her.

But before her fingers could brush its silken wings, the butterfly took flight, fluttering as it hovered just over her head. Mariah rolled onto her back as she watched the butterfly dance in the air, her hand still lifted, tracing its pattern. It was a shadow dappling the morning light, a ghost playing in the sun.

“Mariah?” A familiar, gentle male voice pulled her from her reverie. Her attention snapped from the onyx insect, meeting a concerned set of hazel eyes.

“Good morning, Seb.” She pushed to her feet, taking the blanket she’d wrapped around herself in the night with her. She still only wore that awful, disgusting monstrosity of pink tulle, along with the warm wool cloak. As she stood, she winced; the skin between her thighs had been rubbed raw during their desperate flee. Everything burned and scalded.

She needed this dress off her. Now. Needed to feelhumanagain.

Sebastian still watched her as he bridled his horse a few paces away. He paused, taking a hesitant step toward her. “How are you? Do you need anything?”

Mariah gritted her teeth. Pulled an inhale through parted lips. Her hands shook as she clutched the blanket to her tighter.

“Clothes. I need clothes.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened. “Shit, I—of course. I’m so sorry.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Matheo!” he called, before looking back at Mariah. “Ciana packed you some. Matheo is carrying them. I’ll help you?—”

“No. It’s okay. Thank you.” She didn’t need his help. And the mention of Ciana …

Goddess, she missed her best friend.

Mariah turned, and on aching feet, crossed the clearing to Matheo.

Halfway across, a dark shape emerged from the shadows of the trees, and Mariah paused. She met Rylla’s gaze, recognizable hazel eyes gleaming in the morning light.

They watched each other—for how long, Mariah didn’t know. But something settled in her, and she released a sigh. The cat blinked, tail swishing.

“Thank you, Rylla.” The panther’s tail twitched again. “It seems we have much to catch up on once we arrive back in Verith. But, in the meantime … thank you.”

The panther dipped its head, just once, before melting back into the shadows.

“Mariah? You okay?”

Mariah swallowed, turning to Matheo. He held his horse’s reins, watching her with raw concern.

She forced a smile to her face, and on shaky legs, walked to meet him.

“Morning, Matheo.” She reached out a hand, but not to him. Stepping to his horse’s side, she ran a hand down the chestnut mare’s neck before scratching her just below her mane. The mare swung her head to Mariah, brown eyes taking her in as her warm breath huffed against her arm.

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