Page 35 of Deadwood
He sucked his tongue, the sound rather irritating. “As you are aware, my brother enjoys his leisure time.”
“This isn’t leisure.” Surely, he wouldn’t be off gambling when we were to deliver the ridiculous speeches prepared for us.
Paxon smiled, though it was gone as soon as it appeared. “To you, no. You have an image to uphold. But it’s no secret that Lander is…feckless.”
My brows furrowed. “Are you saying you’re his coach in his appearance with me?”
He let out a breathy chuckle. “If that’s what you would like to call it.”
“I’m sure he can handle himself.”
“If you’d rather he be off spending his time gambling magic and drinking every jug of ale in sight, then by all means. But me being here is not a bad thing, Lady Auria. Don’t let yourself think otherwise.”
His words didn’t reassure me in the least. My stomach felt sour from hours of traveling in the cramped carriage, and while I wished for nothing more than to stare at the sun as it fell below mountain peaks, exhaustion was quickly taking hold.
“I’m rather tired,” I said, excusing myself.
His smirk was gone now, the glint in his eye showing dubitation to my dismissal. “Right. I’ll have a guard retrieve you when supper is ready.”
“Thank you.”
He dipped his chin in response, and I headed for my tent. Thankfully, the guards had made quick work and it was ready to go.
The garnet material flapped in the breeze as two men stood post outside. One of them reached for the flap of the door, holding it open as I approached. Before I ducked to dip inside, I glanced back to find Paxon still watching me. His chin was lowered, his hands still slung casually in his pockets. One emerged with a slow wave, and I offered no response back as I continued on my way into the tent.
In the corner, heaps of blankets sat folded atop the makeshift bed they’d laid out for me. A lantern sat lit beside it, a vial of amber magic in the bottom to keep the flame alight.
Crouching in front of it, I set two fingers on the thin glass. With barely a thought, the tips of my fingers glowed pink as the liquid rose, hitting the cork at the top. Immediately, the tightness in my stomach eased, a wave of tension leaving my muscles.
While I wasn’t afraid of the dark, being in a new environment with people I’d never been alone with before didn’t make me feel all too eager to let the light go out sometime in the night. Once I returned from dinner, I’d do the same, giving the lantern as much magic to fuel it as I could.
With the risk of bandits attacking our camp, I felt much more comfortable keeping the tent dimly lit. Should anyone get past the two guards stationed outside, I’d at least look death in the eyes before I went out, rather than face it in an endless pitch black void, only to be in it for an infinite amount of time after life seeped out of me.
With that thought in mind, I reached behind myself, working at the laces to finally loosen my bodice. But rather than undress completely, I remained in the clothes I’d traveled in, figuring going out for my meal in night clothes wouldn’t be entirely appropriate.
Because even in death, my father would prefer me presentable.
CHAPTER 13
The light from the roaring flame flickered amongst the group’s faces as we sat around the campfire, eating our supper. It cast shadows in the distance, the peculiar shapes looking all too similar to people watching us as the fire snapped and popped over burning wood. The smoke wafted away from me, leaving the crisp, earthy scent to wrap around me like a caress.
“We’re alone out here with the light from the fire. No need to worry,” Lander said from where he sat on the dirt ground beside me. He’d already finished his bowl of porridge, listening as others talked. I’d half expected him to excuse himself as soon as he was done, but he’d stayed, keeping me company.
Paxon sat across the circle, every so often observing the two of us in between bites. He’d ignored the guards as they attempted to strike up conversation with him, and I had to believe it was because he was eavesdropping on everyone.
“Because of the light?” I asked, setting my bowl in the dirt in front of me.
Lander nodded, shifting his leg under him. “Have you heard those scary bedtime stories?”
I gnawed on my lip. “Sort of. But they’re not real, are they?”
He looked out at the dark expanse past our camp, as if the thought of what might be out there haunted him. “Some are. Different environments hold different predators.”
“Are you saying we’re their prey?”
He turned to me, the orange ambience lighting up his hazel eyes, as if they themselves were the fire. “We’re always the prey.”
“Ignore my brother,” Paxon spoke up from his spot across from us, drawing our attention to him. “He’s too into those old stories of things that go bump in the night. You needn’t worry about what’s out there.”
