Page 13 of Through the Wicked Wood

Sorin

Blood spills from the guard’s throat, coating the stone ground and rolling toward my boots. My attempt to pull Elora back had failed, her hands quicker than mine as she sliced her dagger with precision and ease. Blood splattered across her boots, her breeches. A faint ring echoes through the alley as she drops her blade to the ground. Her eyes are frantic, breathing uncontrollable. Recoiling from my grip she kneels down, clutching her chest, she whispers to herself things I don’t understand.

Slowly, I approach her, crouching down, and I lay a hand upon her shoulder as I had only moments ago. Before she killed that man. “Elora,” I whisper, squeezing her shoulder. Her breath hitches. Spinning on my heels so that I’m in front of her, I tip her chin up with my thumb and force her eyes up to mine. She avoids my gaze, instead her focus narrows on the guard slumped opposite us.

“We need to go,” I whisper, sliding my hands away from her. Reluctantly, she stands, pulling her hood up to conceal her face. “Wait by the horse,” I tell her. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“What are you going to—”

“Just, go,” I say. And to my relief, she does.

I wait for Elora to leave before I get to work. Salvaging what I can of the guard’s uniform, placing his sword on my hip and doublet over my tunic. It will have to do. As I approach the end of the alley, Elora shifts uneasily on her feet. Her cloak remains tightly wrapped around her, despite the heat from the approaching midday. Though my plan was not much different, my heart sinks knowing she will live with the guilt of killing this man forever. Just as I have with every man I’ve ever killed. At my approach she whips her head towards me. The radiant glow of her golden eyes narrows in my direction leaving me unnerved.

“We have about ten minutes before—” I start to explain before she quickly cuts me off.

“Don’t ever do that again,” she hisses between her teeth, keeping her eyes narrowed.

“I would have never let him hurt you,” I say as I move to the opposite side of the horse. I understand she’s upset, the element of surprise of a royal guard was probably unfair given that she’s an Enchantress. But it was the only way to get the guard away from the busy square.

My hands move quickly, untying the saddle bag to see what supplies the guard has left us with. Some bread, a half drunk bottle of ale, an empty canteen, and a few ropes. I roll my eyes and drag a hand down my face at the guards' incompetence. Can’t even pack a proper bag. Closing the saddle bag, I redirect my focus to the square.

“That’s not what I meant,” Elora snaps. Glancing back at her, I fail to read the expression on her face. “Next time, tell me your plan,” she whispers. The sharpened edge to her tone has me shifting uncomfortably in my boots. “Don’t just assume I can’t handle whatever it is you’re going to do. Tell me so I’m prepared. Tell me so I don’t—” Her voice waivers on the last words and I can tell it’s a slip she didn’t plan to make.

Shite.

I’ve underestimated her and whatever it is she’s gone through. My stomach roils, I should’ve known better but my drive to get out of Copenspire outweighed my common sense.

Stepping around the horse, she glances up at me, meeting my gaze as I tentatively place a hand atop her shoulder. “I’m sorry,” I admit. And for whatever reason, I mean it. I’ve only just met the woman and her value to me is considerable. She is my way into Valebridge. My key to stopping Roman and this blight, if that’s what we can call it. So, it’s that very reason that has me willing to admit my wrongdoings.

Something I’ve never been good at.

“Next time, I’ll tell you. I didn’t realize…” I move my hand from her shoulder, suddenly unsure if touching her at this moment is the right thing to do. “I swear it, I’ll tell you.” I place my hand across my heart and offer her a small smile. She doesn’t return the gesture; instead, she turns her head back towards the square.

“So, what’s next?” she whispers, brushing her hand over her shoulder where mine had just been. “Where do we go from here?”

Taking a deep breath I gesture to the square. “We wait until the church bells chime again,” I say. “Should be any minute now, and then once the villagers are dispersed, we make our break for it through the square. There’s a path that will lead us up to the northern end of the Trinity Forest. We’ll ride until sunset, then commence again tomorrow morning.”

As I finish explaining our plan, the church bells ring out three times. Low and drawn out. On cue, people begin to flood into the streets from the church. Making their way to the various shops along the coast or back home to continue their daily routines.

“We really should go, love.” I hoist myself onto the mare and extend my hand, wanting to give her time but needing her to move. Our window of opportunity is short before a second guard will come to switch rotation after the church service and every second counts. She eyes me for a moment as her brows pinch together.

“You expect us to ride all that way on one horse?” Her question is sincere, and I almost smile, but I’m sure if I do, it would just cause more hostility. Relaxing my hand to my side, I run it over the mare’s silky coat.

“Well, seeing as how time is of the essence, it isn’t possible to steal another horse,” I say, extending my hand again, it feels heavy and awkward suspended in the air. But I don’t drop it, I wait for her to decide.

Reluctantly, she places her palm in mine and heat spikes through me. Clearing my throat at the sudden warmness of her hand in mine, I pull her up and position her in front of me. Elora draws her hand away quickly, and I shake off whatever the hell feeling that just was.

Using one hand to take the reins and the other to hold her waist, I give her a quick tug backward until her body collides with my chest, that strange warmth spreading over me again. As if on cue, she casts me that signature scowl I’ve already come to know so well.

“For safety, love,” I laugh. “Wouldn’t want you falling off before our trip even gets started.” With a quick wink I kick my heels into the mare and take off through the square before she can utter her argument.

Our horse gallops across the cobblestone with ease. Most of the people are already busy back at their shops or in their homes to notice a guard making his way through the square. Weaving through town, we exit by the docks at the Holden Sea. The salty breeze of the ocean brings me back to my childhood and all the supply runs I’d make with my father. But then, a shout has the hair on my arms raising and my mind snaps back to the present

“Stop that man!”

For fucks sake, I can’t catch a break with these people. Elora’s body tenses beneath my grip, she, too, having heard the shouts from behind us. I dare a glance, and two royal guards scramble to make their way back to their horses. So much for being subtle.

“Hold on, love,” I whisper in Elora’s ear, and to my surprise, she leans into my chest so I can wrap my arm around her further. Hooves against stone sound behind me and the men continue their demands, but I don’t stop. Don’t falter. Our mare remains steady and fast as we race through town.

---