Page 53 of The King's Queen

“There’s an inn nearby in my territory. Once we get there, we should be safe from Mavis and the rebels, and I will send out a clean-up crew to gather the bodies for the rebels to bury.”

I ignore the way my gut churns at the word ‘bodies.’

“Clean-up crew? You mean there’s more Nightwalkers than just the four of you?” I ask incredulously. Rowan just turns back to me with open mouthed disbelief.

“Does the king only govern those in the palace? I have my own underlings Ver. Who the hell do you think covered your first mission as a bar fight after you came home with my dying second before you passed out yourself? Stunts like that are expensive and require manpower.”

“My apologies, My Liege,” I seethe between clenched teeth. Hot tears of pain and fear begin to slide their way down my face, blending in with the torrential downpour. My wounds throb, my ankle is barely supporting my weight anymore, and I rely heavily on Rowan’s shaking form to keep up.

We remain silent as we walk, until a dim light starts to form up ahead. The sight causes me to pick up my pace and ignore my stabbing pains. Rowan subconsciously does as well, and we both half walk, half run towards the light and find ourselves in front of an inn in Adil.

Adil is still far enough out that no one bats an eye at Rowan and I’s bloody and filthy bodies, though they do gawk at my bare calves. If I had half my strength regained, I would shake them until their tiny brains came out their nose and scream at them about priorities, but Rowan clutches my hand in his as we trudge to the inn.

“Stick close, and follow my lead,” he whispers under his breath. “Not everyone here is mine, so hold your tongue.”

I can only swallow thickly as the lion leads me directly into his den.

Chapter21

Verosa

Rowan stalks to the front desk, where the innkeeper sleeps. His face contorts with disgust for a moment before he announces loudly in a wail, “Please, kind soul, my wife and I were on our way here when we were robbed by merciless thugs. I barely fought them off, but she’s quite shaken. Please take pity on two pour souls.”

Refraining from laughing in a state of delirium is a true testament to my acting skills, and I allow my lower lip to wobble bit. A few patrons look on in pity or disgust, but the innkeeper schools his countenance of a savvy businessman once the shock of being startled awake wears off.

“I don’t know, how much coin do you have to offer?”

“23 coins.”

“Gold or silver?”

“17 silver, 5 gold.”

“Gold might be a trouble around these parts.”

“That’s why I’m entrusting you with it,” Rowan counters quickly.

The innkeeper sighs. “And who should I book the room under?”

“Leo and Marie.”

The innkeeper scribbles all this down furiously before handing a different sheet of paper to Rowan. The young man, far too young to be an innkeeper, leans over the desk and speaks lowly. “I’ll send this on to our most trusted crew. They won’t say a word.” He presses a key into Rowan’s palm. “Usual room, I’ll send for the doctor tonight and some horses in the morning. I assume you’ll be out of here before they follow you.”

Rowan accepts the key as if it is a mere handshake. “Good man.” The innkeeper only grunts and stalks off silently through a door behind the counter without accepting any money. Rowan holds my hand tightly and guides me up the first few stairs, but when he is sure no one is watching, he takes a sharp left into a broom closet.

“Well, this is cozy,” I jest while he takes to pushing aside some meager cleaning supplies. He doesn’t bother with a response before he pushes a particular stone, causing the whole wall to slide and reveal a large room.

“You were saying?” Rowan responds drily.

The room is large, with two large beds on either side of the room. Each are lavishly decorated with a multitude of colorful pillows and embroidered throw blankets. The walls are coated with hand-painted designs, minuscule whorls of pearlescent gold paint that stretches like veiny webs across the entirety of the room. A plush carpet greets my feet as I remove my muddy boots, and Rowan settles on a chair seated next to a matching mahogany table.

“The bathroom is right through those doors if you’d like to wash up before the doctor arrives.” Rowan winces as he bends over to untie his boots.

“Let me.” I bend before him, untying his laces swiftly and helping remove the filthy boot. Rowan watches silently, his motions stiff and lagging.

I rock back on my heels, even the small motion draining all remaining energy from my body. Adil is a half day’s ride from the palace. We will probably have to leave by first light to avoid attracting attention and to beat the scouts my father will undoubtedly send out once news reaches him.

Torin will probably be with them, possibly Blaine as well, but I doubt it. Blaine is needed to stay at the palace and guard my father, but no force will dare stop Torin if any of us are thought to be in danger.

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