Page 73 of Reckless Bonds

“Save your breath, Sunder,” she snaps.

I let out a long sigh, obeying her wishes. I quickly fasten a makeshift tent so she can get some rest. Maybe sleep will help us both. I roll my eyes at the useless cat already curled up, sleeping soundly in her lap. “I guess I’m on first watch.”

I douse the flames as she climbs into the tent.

Climbing into the tree above to watch for signs of movement, I listen to the sounds of her breathing slow until she slips into what I hope is a deep slumber.

For once, I can confidently admit that I hate being alone.

I hate being without Mira.

And I may have sealed myself to this fate without a thought otherwise.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Mira

As the sun sets the next day after another mostly silent day walking through the dank overgrown forest, the faint scent of smoke sticks out like a sore thumb. My first thought is of a group of centaurs holding wanted posters with my face on them.

“We’re almost to Whillai.”

When I meet Sunder’s eyes, they widen slightly as he excitedly continues to explain the history of this apparently small but bustling town at the crossroads between two port towns. I listen with half an ear as we emerge from the brush some ways away still from the center of town, but small farmhouses dot the open landscape around us, each complete with multiple smoking chimneys.

The road sends puffs of red dust swirling around our feet with each step closer to the small outcropping of stone and timber buildings. Inside, I expect a scene similar to the old towns of Morrocan markets. Instead, it’s more like the Ren Faire on steroids. The stone and timber-framed houses give the impression of being hundreds of years old. Tunics and leathers on each body, swords in scabbard, peace tied, I note.

“The largest building you see in the back is the inn. There’s a tavern on the street level that’s connected to the wife’s tailoring shop in the back. Mulled wine and fresh rabbit stew are their specialties.”

More people walked on the streets with us now, looking most ordinary. Except…

“There’s a blue …something… over there.”

Sunder follows my gaze.

“Ah. A Mekari. He probably wouldn’t appreciate being called a ‘something’. He comes from Mekarille, through the portals. They’re uncommon here, but not rare,” Sunder explains casually, as if blue people are nothing of note.

Nodding along, I say “Cool. Cool. Totally. I am also unimpressed by this.”

Sunder rolls his eyes, but I don’t miss the eager smile he shoots me as we fall back into our familiar roles.

“Remember, humans are tolerated at best in most places. Keep your wits about you.”

“And how will they even know I’m human? I can wear my hair down to cover my ears.”

He lowers his voice, putting his lips far too close to my ear for comfort. The feeling of his breath washing over me sends a shiver down my spine. I let my eyes slip closed for half a second, the image of him between my legs filling my mind’s eye before I shove it away again.

“Your scent. The cat too. They already know what you are. Just keep your head down, Mira.”

I nod along, but the command irks me. My eyes narrow as he leads us into the ivy-covered inn.

Inside, the inn is full of rich, dark wood. The common room is mostly empty this early in the evening, leaving only a couple of old drunks on wobbly stools at the bar. Most traders would still be doing business for another hour. Sunder lays some heavy coins on the bar, telling the old innkeeper we need 2 rooms for the night, dinner, and baths.

“Did you pull those out of your ass?” I mutter darkly.

Beside me, Sunder flinches subtly at my tone. The old innkeeper’s belly is the size of a large barrel, barely fitting behind the bar. His long white hair frames ears so pointy they could probably cut paper.

“The shifter stays outside, ya hear? No, sir. I don’t let ‘em mull around the common room. Makes people uneasy, you see. Uneasy indeed.”

Sunder nods in understanding. The man palms the coins with a quick motion of his hand, almost too subtle to notice as they glide from view, before showing us to our rooms. I disappear wordlessly behind my door to much needed solitude.

---