Page 37 of Crown of Slumber

“We’ll keep to the Jewel River, using the water to mask our tracks and our scent,” I said. “With any luck, we’ll avoid them.”

“But if they’re by the border?—”

“It’s a long border, Fenn,” I snapped. “We can go around them if necessary.”

Fenn’s mouth clamped shut, his eyes flaring with irritation. “Stars, you’re grumpy without your dragon.”

“Get used to it,” I muttered, shoving past him to make my way toward the river.

He trailed after me, and an uncomfortable silence fell between us. He matched my pace easily, following as I led us downhill along a trail adjacent to the riverbank. The waters shimmered in the sunlight that filtered through the treetops.

After an hour, I dropped my sack on the ground and crouched near the river’s edge, cupping my hands to bring the water to my face. I washed the sweat off my cheeks and forehead, then drank deeply. The water was cold and brisk, and I greedily gulped it down. The fresh taste was so much better than the water from the well by the castle.

Beside me, Fenn followed suit, running his wet hand through his hair and down his neck. Water trickled along his throat and collarbone, and as he tugged down the front of his tunic, I caught sight of the witch rune etched into his skin. My eyes snagged on the sculpted muscles of his tanned shoulders and chest.

I blinked and quickly turned away, my heart racing.Stupid,I chided myself.

Fenn was handsome. There was no doubt about it. But that was exactly why I needed to be careful. He had charmed many women, making fools of them, coercing them to his bed only to discard them afterward.

I refused to fall prey to his seduction.

“We’re close,” I said, keeping my gaze fixed on my pack as I tightened the strap. “Keep a sharp eye. I can already smell the goblins.”

“You can?”

I looked at him then, and he was arching a dubious eyebrow at me.

“Goblins let out an awful stench,” I told him. “It’s one of their only weaknesses.”

“I know that,” he said. “I’ve fought goblins before. But normally I can’t smell them until they’re right next to me.”

I shrugged. “Maybe the goblins here are different.”

“Maybe.” But he eyed me with a scrutiny that made me fidget.

I stood and shouldered my pack before resuming my trek down the trail, not bothering to look back to ensure Fenn was following.

Before I knew it, he was hiking alongside me, his lengthy strides matching mine. “I’ve studied witch runes for a while, you know.”

I cast a sidelong glance at him. “What?”

“I know a lot of runes.”

I frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”

“There’s one rune that’s meant to reveal spells and enchantments on a person. If you want, I could cast the rune… on you. To figure out whatyourrune is for.”

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him to discern if he was mocking me or not. But he merely blinked innocently at me, his face betraying nothing. After a moment, I continued walking. “No.”

“Why not? Don’t you want to know what the rune means?”

“Of course I do. But I don’t trust you to cast a witch spell on me.”

“So you’d rather keep living in ignorance? You’d rather do nothing?”

I stopped again, whirling to face him, anger rising up inside me. “What do you know? You’re a stranger to me, Fenn. Don’t think you can pass judgment about my life. You’re still my enemy. The ruthless prince from a vicious family who continuously tries to take what’s most precious to me. It’s because of you that Mal—” I stopped short, my mouth snapping shut as more tears burned in my eyes. Gods, I already missed my dragon so much. How could I ensure he was kept safe? What if I came back and found out something had happened to him?

Clearing my throat, I turned away from Fenn. “No. I don’t want your runes, Fenn. The only thing I need from you is what was outlined in our bargain. Nothing more.”

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