Page 96 of Ruthless Scoundrel
“You just take care of yourself and your lady. We’ve got things under control over here,” he says, starting the process of dismantling his tent.
My lady…
My love…
Oh, fuck.
Chapter twenty-eight
Reina
The last day of my bleed is easiest. I have energy and my body isn’t completely drained when we leave camp. Jasper’s made friends with two of the merchants traveling all the way to Hammon with us, Anthony and Gizelle. She’s the one who gave me the sanitary pad for my knickers. Honestly, I’m glad he’s making friends. He’s been so opposed to talking to my kind, so bent on believing we’re all evil. I hope he sees the goodness in them.
The road splits midday, and we lose another three-fourths of the company, leaving eight other travelers with us. There are no more guards, and no more mercenaries protecting us. But when we make camp for the evening, we all work together.
Gizelle and I venture into the trees and find the river that the road follows.
“So, you gave up your life to become a restaurateur, but you don’t know how to cook?” Gizelle asks suddenly.
“What?”
She laughs. “You talk like you’ve seen someone cook but never done it yourself.”
“I most certainly have.”
Not.
Unless I can count a fish over a fire pit. Once…
“You’re a high-born, but you love Geoff. Following him to the ends of Gaien to start a new life? Don’t tell me otherwise,” she says in a stern voice like it’s fact.
I have to keep up the ruse, keep us protected.
“You’re right. I would follow him to the end of Gaien, and then threaten Nol’Ther if she took him from me.”
Gizelle giggles. “I knew you were a fighter, too. That spirit in your eyes. You’re not justsomelady, are you? You’re important.”
This is getting too close to the truth. “I’m no one.”
She hums, adjusting the yoke on her shoulders. “I know who you are, but you don’t need to fear me. I don’t care if you abdicated and ran.”
My heart picks up speed and my stomach squeezes with nausea as a flash of blood and fire rolls through my mind.
No. I don’t want to kill her, or her husband. Even if they know who I am.
“You can’t speak of this,” I whisper. “Please.”
Gizelle must’ve seen the horrible thoughts behind my eyes. “I promise I’m not a threat, and Anthony doesn’t even know.”
“If it was this easy for you to figure it out, how easy will it be for the next person?” I ask.
“Maybe stop lettin’ him call youprincess, that’ll help,” she says with a wink. “Camp’s not big, and sound does travel.”
Ah…great. What an idiot.
“In any case, You ran for a good reason. The north is fucked—’scuse me, it’s in shambles.”
I laugh. “No, you’re right. It’s fucked.”
