Page 31 of Forbidden Obsession
Vander scowls at her.
She shrugs it off and beckons me. “Come down and finish your drink and leave him to sulk it off.”
I do just that, my chest puffed in pride. Not that hitting people is generally something to be proud of, but standing up for Rahz is.
And I will always stand up for Rahz.
ChapterThirteen
Rahz
We’reone river crossing away from Lemossin, and I’m still no closer to discovering if Falen’s loyalty to Queen Aurielle will override his loyalty to a friend. To me. Because we have become friends, Falen and I, in these two weeks of riding long days, pitching tents on cool, rainy nights, and talking about anything and everything except for the most pressing matter.
If he signs this pledge and I don’t, will he report me for treason?
I gaze past him toward the mighty Onyx River that bisects Luminia. Never in my life did I think I’d see its ebony waters with my own eyes. Hard to believe a river so wide even exists, much less that the fae have engineered a ferry system to get people, horses, and wagons across it.
“Almost there now.” Falen stares into the distance, same as me.
“To think we’ll be sleeping in the capital city tonight.” My chest is tight as nerves and excitement take turns coursing through my body. I’ve never seen such a sight.
Lemossin is huge. Past the river and uphill, the beginning of the city sprawls impossibly big. Even from this distance, I make out a great gate with towering walls on either side, winding streets farther uphill beyond the wall, and rows and rows of buildings split by vast greenlands inside the city. And Falen says the part we can see from the river crossing is only a fraction of the city, most of which spills down the other side of the mount.
Fifty of our little Jodpirns could easily fit into the visible portion alone.
We approach the river alongside other travelers. Merchants with wagonloads of wares in tow, mixlings on horseback, a band of performers, maybe acrobats, with colorful props and the sort of wagon that can be lived in, and even a few noblemen clad in luxurious velvets despite the midday warmth.
I’m curious about them all. I’d love to poke my head into that bright red wagon. Would they have a tiny little house built inside? What must that life be like?
At the ramp, those with wings simply take flight, leaving the working crew to handle their horses and belongings. Falen’s wings are nearly as large as a full fae’s, but they’re flightless. Could he glide if the wind currents were just right? That would be a dangerous theory to prove, though.
When it’s our turn to board the sturdy-looking ferry, we dismount and lead Magna and Chestnut on foot.
“Why don’t you go first?” I gesture for Falen to pass us.
Magna has never set hoof on a ferry, doesn’t particularly care for water, and is often shy of new experiences. Luckily, Chestnut is a stalwart traveler and takes to the ferry with ease. His calm, easy-going manner, along with my gentle coaxing, is enough to convince Magna to board without any fuss, though her eyes are wide and her ears are pinned back. She gives a nervous head toss and throws me a look that says, “See the things I do for you?”
I rub her neck and promise her extra apples if she’s good. To be honest, I’m as nervous as she is. I’ve never been on a boat of any sort, and though this one seems safe, the boards beneath my feet move with the river in a way that tricks my balance and flips my stomach.
“You can ride with them if you like.” A sailor points out the rail along the stalls. “Or take seats up front.”
As much as I’d like to see the view from the front, I know Magna needs me. “I’ll stay with her, thanks.”
“Me too.” Falen urges Chestnut into a slot large enough for one horse and one man.
I settle Magna into the next one. Side by side, all four of us have a view of upstream, the eastern flank of the river, and that’s nearly as good as being at the front.
“We’ll set off in ten.” The sailor passes us, directing the next set of travelers.
Nobody has asked a fee for passage. Anyone can board the ferry and cross the river at their leisure. It travels back and forth all day, every day, barring bad weather. Thankfully, I don’t have to part with any of my coin for this adventure. A free boat ride is infinitely better than a paid one.
Falen climbs the rail between our stalls, thighs on the higher plank, feet tucked beneath the lower one to hold himself in place. Looks comfortable, but I’d better stand on my own two feet if the swaying of the ferry is anything to go by, or else I might be sick.
Falen grins. “Your stomach all right?”
“Uh. You can tell just by looking?”
“Don’t worry. It’s a short ride once we’re off. Here.” He turns, rustles in one of his saddlebags, grabs a hunk of bread, and hands it over. “Might actually be better if you eat something. I hear motion sickness is worse on an empty stomach.”
