Page 69 of Path of the Dark
Commander Aureliano’s gaze moved past Elias then, focusing on the woman who stood silently a few feet behind him. “Who’s she?”
“My consort,” Elias replied, not bothering to even look in Ryana’s direction. “Ryana is an enchanter … she helped me escape The Royal City after I slew the princess.”
Elias heard Ryana’s swift intake of breath, her low hiss of outrage, and he bit back a smile. Revenge could take various forms. He’d enjoy this.
Elias moved past the commander and into the leaguefort’s watch tower through a set of heavy wooden doors. The scent of sawdust greeted him as his boots sank into a thick layer of it.
Wordlessly, Ryana followed him in.
The feasting hall was cavernous and lined with rough planks of timber. Heavy iron girders criss-crossed the high ceiling. A raised wooden platform sat at one end of the hall, where the commander and the highest ranking of his men took their meals. To the right, a wooden staircase wound its way to the upper levels of the tower.
Elias headed for the platform and the long table that sat upon it. He took a chair at one end and sank down, motioning to Ryana to take a seat to his right.
Her expression was pinched, her gaze narrowed, yet she obeyed.
The aroma of roasting venison wafted out of a nearby doorway, causing Elias’s belly to contract. He cast Ryana a deliberately careless smile. “That’s good timing … we’ve arrived just in time for supper.”
Ryana didn’t reply. She sat beside him, her posture stiff, her gaze watchful.
Men, some of the lower ranking guards, brought out jugs of ale and filled the commander and his guests’ cups first.
Commander Aureliano had joined them at the table, his attention riveted upon Elias. “The princess,” he began, his expression keen. “Did she give you any trouble, captain?”
Elias took a gulp of ale. “No … I crept up behind her and drew a blade across her throat.”
The commander nodded, his mouth curving.
More men appeared then, bearing platters of roast venison and unleavened bread. Elias’s belly ached at the sight of it. How he’d been looking forward to a proper meal. He didn’t want to answer the commander’s questions. He wanted to eat and drink.
Beside Elias, Ryana helped herself to a slice of venison and tore off a piece of bread. Her expression was still stony, although he knew she’d be as hungry as he was.
“You did well reaching the border, captain,” the commander continued, undaunted by the prince’s silence. “Didn’t they send a hunting party after you?”
Elias swallowed a mouthful of venison and nodded. “They did … but my enchanter here managed to cover our tracks.” He caught Ryana’s eye and winked. She stared back at him, high spots of color appearing on her cheeks. Elias resisted the urge to grin at her, before he glanced back at Commander Aureliano.
“Have your men prepare us a bath in our room and find us clean clothes,” he ordered. “We’ll also need horses ready for us tomorrow morning.”
“Certainly, captain,” the commander replied with a polite smile. “I shall see it done.”
Ryana followed Elias up the creaking stairs, glaring at his back.
He didn’t seem to notice or care.
She didn’t like being inside this leaguefort. Now that the men here thought she was the prince’s consort, she’d caught one or two of them leering at her.
The sooner they resumed their journey south, the better.
A guard led the way to the third floor of the watch tower, where he took them into a sparsely-furnished chamber. The air smelled of freshly milled wood, a fragrant scent that would have relaxed Ryana if she hadn’t been seething.
A large iron tub stood in the center of the floor. A privacy screen sat next to it.
Ryana’s gaze slid over the tub, going to the single sleeping pallet in the corner, where two piles of clean clothing sat. Hands clenching by her sides, she whipped round to face Elias. However, he had his back to her as he closed the door to the room.
With a click, he sealed them both inside before turning to her.
The bastard was grinning.
“My enchanter. My consort.” She spat out the words. “Was all that for my benefit?”
