Page 57 of The Cursed Crown

"I didn't do anything." She shook her head. "Except put you in danger. Those people were hunting us, and who knows how many will come after us next?We should never have come here."

The two men were silent, but she knew they agreed.

“What now?”

They had two choices, heading back, or continuing.

“Let’s vote,” Rissa offered. It was their lives, too; she wasn’t going to dictate it. “All in favor of turning back?”

Only one hand was raised.

Hers.

The Curse

Rain poured incessantly, drenching every layer of clothing. Huffing, Rissa ended up bundling her cloak and throwing it in her bag. It wasn't doing any good, but if she managed to dry it, she might be able to use it as a cover when they finally found a place to rest.

They'd walked all day and barely made any progress. The forest seemed unending. She climbed a few times to check their location. There was little chance of reaching the mountain today, now that they'd lost the horses.

"We should pick a place to rest," she said when her feet started to complain.

"In the mud?" Teoran scowled. "No thanks."

Khal, never one to miss an opportunity to diss him, jeered, "The princeling is too delicate for a bit of mud."

Teoran grunted, but didn't attempt to defend himself. He hadn't said a word against Khal since the rift.

"We can take to the trees," Rissa suggested.

"I don't do well with heights." Khal grimaced. "It might be our best shot here, though."

Glad to have a semblance of consensus, Rissa hopped on the closest consequential tree and started her work, twisting nearby branches into hammocks. She managed to direct some of the larger leaves to cover them from the worst of the rain.

Climbing up, Teoran whistled.

"I've slept in worse places," Khal admitted. "I'll take the first watch."

"No," she replied, adamant. "I'll take it."

There was little chance of her sleeping anytime soon. The last day had been too emotionally draining, and her flight-or-fight response was still engaged. Besides, she wasn't the one who'd almost died. Though he hid it well, Khal to be exhausted. Either way, he'd earned the rest.

"You're sure?" Teoran frowned. "I can take it."

She shook her head, managing a half smile. "You guys rest."

They settled in their makeshift beds, and she hopped down to the ground to start her watch.

Rissa leaned back against the tree, under the hammocks, trying to dry off a little. The moisture in the air didn't help. Her mind still reeling, she opted to patrol around their camp, listening carefully and watching the long shadows.

The warriors had been on them too fast, too silently. They could be watched even now.

Remembering that they'd waited for her to be out of the way before attacking, Rissa decided to venture a little farther, though she kept her senses fixed on their tree.

Finding a river, she filled her water skin, pretending to be entirely engrossed with her task.

She wouldn't have caught the change in the shadows if she hadn't been watching for it. Moving fast as an arrow, she reached the place where she'd detected the movement and brought her knife to the enemy's neck.

"Got you."

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