Page 92 of A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty

“Telean—”

“I know what you’re thinking. The old lady will slow you down.” Her mouth twisted, and something that might have been shame flickered through her eyes. “But I may be helpful. Don’t forget, I used to live in that kingdom—”

“Telean. You’re more than welcome to come. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you sooner.”

Her scowl deepened, another argument clearly already on the tip of her tongue. She opened her mouth and seemed to realize I’d agreed.

“Well, then. When will you leave?”

I scanned our surroundings, but other than Demos and Asinia slowly walking toward us, no one else was around. “Within a few days. But we need to keep it quiet.”

“I still don’t believe you should be going without your fae bodyguard.”

I shook my head. Calling Lorian a bodyguard was a little like calling a lion a house cat.

Asinia sent me a concerned frown as she approached. I just shrugged at her. “Telean will be traveling with us,” I told Demos.

He surveyed our aunt. “You sure you can haul that bag of bones you call a body through the pass?”

I shook my head at him.

“Demos,” Asinia hissed, but Telean gave a hoarse chuckle. “Just you wait, boy. We’ll see ifyoucan keep up.”

I was surrounded by people with egos larger than their brains.

I opened my mouth, but my attention was caught by someone dismounting a horse, pulling a huge sack from its saddlebag, and striding through the camp entrance as if the entire camp belonged to her.

Madinia’s long legs were encased in leather, her red hair loose around her shoulders, and that massive sack was slung over her back. She looked nothing like the woman I’d met in the castle.

And she’d returned.

She spotted me, sauntered toward us, and dropped the sack at my feet. “Your coin, Your Majesty.” She grinned at me.

My mouth had fallen open. I snapped it shut. “How…?”

“If there’s one thing I know, it’s jewelry. I was raised to look pretty, remember? I knew how much every piece was worth and negotiated accordingly.” She seemed to pick up on the undercurrents and glanced around, raising her eyebrow.

“Something wrong?”

“No,” I said, before anyone could speak. “Nothing’s wrong. This is amazing. Thank you, Madinia.”

She ignored that, glancing at Demos, who was still looking at her speculatively.

“Ah,” she said, and that beautiful face turned cold. “You assumed I’d taken the jewels and run. Because I’m not just useless with a bow and arrow, I’m a thieving coward too.”

Demos’s gaze never flickered, even as she bared her teeth. I reached forward and laid a hand on her shoulder. “I didn’t think that. I swear.”

She glanced at me. Some of the color had returned to her cheeks, and her gaze dropped to the sack of coin at her feet. With a shake of her head, she shrugged my hand off her shoulder and stalked away.

I sighed. “That went well.”

“She should have told us what she was planning,” Demos said, his expression hard.

I wanted to talk to her, but something told me she wouldn’t welcome me approaching her right now. I was beginning to learn just how much Madinia valued her own space—especially when she was upset.

Demos nudged me with his elbow. “Come with me. Vicer has some people he wants you to meet.”

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