Page 24 of Omega Sanctuary

Somehow that wasn't reassuring. I'd traveled the area, and even went as far as the Lonely Sea, which wasn't really a sea. It was a very large lake and a good source of salt for our region.

I'd never traveled even half as far as the Capitol. I lifted my chin, trying for bravery.

A small cart came into view.

My stomach flipped over itself. Here came destiny on...a two-horse cart.

It was a good size, large enough for a family of four with a bench in the front for the driver. The cart had no cover. A man in a black cloak sat in the driver's seat. A young woman was already sitting in the back.

Sabine looked at me. "Special arrangements were made. Normally, we have a good idea when the omegas need to be transported but..."

But the omega ceremonies had completely missed me. Untouched anger rose at the thought, and I pushed it away. I couldn't go back in time and change things.

The cart came to a stop, and the man swung off the front.

I took a small sip of air in as my body froze. He straightened up, dwarfing the cart with his size. His shoulders were broad, and his hair was pulled into a low ponytail, and so blond it was almost white. He wore all black, black trousers, black loose shirt, and a cloak. His face was set in stone, reminding me of the blacksmith. He had the forearms of a blacksmith too, with thick-corded muscle rippling as he tied the reins to the post.

"A cart?" Sabine approached him. "Was there nothing else available?"

He grunted and then gestured at the cart. "We should go."

If I didn't know better, I would have thought Sabine was about to laugh. "Always one with words."

She turned to me. "Zara, this is Valens. He's transported omegas before. You can trust him."

"Hi." I waved a little. Good job, Zara, show everyone how awkward you are right away.

He gestured at the sun. "Morning. We need to make haste."

I hugged Nan, pretending it would be a short stay in Penrith. She hugged me fiercely. "You write to me, you hear me, Zaralina?"

"I will."

"If someone isn't taking care of you, you tell me, I'll walk there myself."

"Tell me how the bakery goes, how Missy is doing."

Missy was going to have a steep learning curve, but she could do it. She had the talent.

Valens grabbed my bag before I could. His face was sharp angles, cheekbones and forehead and jaw all carved from rock.

Warmth fluttered through me, but I pushed thoughts of what Valens would look like without a shirt away. It was not the time for sexy thoughts.

I nodded at the other woman already sitting in the back of the cart. She was young, probably my age, and beautiful, with dark hair and big blue eyes.

The heartbreak on her face only made her seem more like a character out of a book, some tragic heroine.

"I'm Zara." I climbed up into the cart and got settled. Pillows and blankets filled the back. It was smart, if you were going on a long journey. Wooden benches would be far less comfortable than sitting on a bunch of pillows.

We could pretend we were queens or something, lounging on pillows all day and eating...beef jerky.

"Callanova, but everyone calls me Nova."

"Take the roads you think are best," Sabine told Valens. She didn't quite wring her hands together, but her face was lined with concern. "The High Priestess will approve whatever route you deem the safest."

Valens checked the horse's tack.

"I know this is highly unusual. We thank you for your service."

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