Chapter Nineteen
Bouncy Carriages Still Suck
Prince Elias was my father.
The shock of it had me in a daze as we woke, gathered our things, and left the cave just as the sun rose, shining on the mountaintops. Once at the inn, Lake snuck upstairs while Rowan and I went into the dining area for breakfast. I shoveled food into my mouth, but it was tasteless on my tongue and churned in my stomach.
I was a prince. Or would I be a duke? Royal titles confused me. What Ididknow? I was Sawyer’s cousin. Which helped explain why some people thought we looked alike.
Excitement mingled with the shock as something else occurred to me. Growing up in the foster care system and never knowing my family, I now had living relatives. Cousins. An uncle and an aunt—who also just so happened to be the king and queen of Bremloc.
But I couldn’t tell any of them.
Rowan didn’t press me for answers, yet his gaze lingered on me as we ate. He knew something was on my mind. After breakfast, he and I met Lake upstairs and packed our things.
“Are you all right?” Lake asked, pulling me into his arms. “Your mood seems off.”
Rowan looked at me.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I rested my head on Lake’s chest. “Just ready to go home.”
Once I had all my men together in the same room, I’d tell them everything. About my mom being from Exalos… and who I truly was.
Lake nuzzled my neck before grabbing his bag and sneaking from the window. I watched as he shot toward the coverage of trees beside the inn. Once he was safely out of sight, I turned to Rowan.
“Will you stay with me during the journey home?” I asked, sounding pretty damn pathetic. “I don’t want to be alone in the carriage.”
Being alone would give me too much time to dwell on things and obsess. The truth? I was scared out of my mind. Assassins from Haran had tracked down my parents and killed them, all because my dad refused to marry the princess. Because he’d followed his heart and chose my mom instead. I was the result of that betrayal. Haran would hunt me down, too, if they learned I was still alive.
“This is where I’d normally tease you about being a sad toad.” Rowan grabbed my hand and used it to pull me closer. “But that look on your face is kind of hurting my heart, little treasure.”
“Sorry. I’m just tired.”
His eyes narrowed, and I thought he might call me out on the lie. Instead, he handed me my satchel and tossed my bigger bag over his shoulder before leaving the room.
Hershel had just arrived with the carriage when we stepped outside. As he loaded the bags, I walked over to Samson and fed him a carrot I’d snatched from the kitchen. He lightly head-butted me as thanks. But I didn’t speak horse. He could’ve been telling me to fuck off for all I knew.
“Fortunate to see you in one piece,” Finnian told me as he and August joined us by the carriage. “When the thief said he’dbe spending the evening with you, I had my doubts whether you’d still have your head come morning.”
Rowan sneered at him. “Evan is safe with me. You, on the other hand…”
“You threatenin’ us, boy?” August slapped a hand to the hilt of his sword.
“Oh no. Not a guard with a pointy stick.” Rowan slumped against the side of the carriage and picked at his nails. “How will I ever survive?”
“I liked it better when you were hidin’ in the shadows,” August growled at him.
“Problem here, gentlemen?” Callum called out as he and Duke descended the front steps of the inn, bags in tow.
August curled his lip at Callum before going over to his horse and fastening the saddlebag.
“Forgive him,” Finnian told us. “The kitchen ran out of blackberry jam for his bread, so he’s grumpy.”
“Shut that hole in your mouth, Finn, and mount your horse. We’re losing daylight.”
“See? He’s such a grouch.” Finnian shook his head with a sigh and clapped me on the back. “Are you packed and ready to leave Exalos?”
“Yeah.” And I was taking back with me more than I’d come with. A heavy truth I wasn’t sure how long I could carry by myself.
