Page 17 of The Cerise

“What do you mean ‘you’ve got another one?’ Are there more out there like this?” I ask, my gaze darting around the room for soldiers who may have overheard our conversation.

If there’s a witch out there casting frequently enough to be on the king’s radar, then I might be in more danger in Overburn than I thought. All it would take is one accusation and my blood would be a fresh layer on the Red Keep’s door.

The soldier's gaze darts to mine and such a long moment passes that I'm not sure if he will reply. Wordlessly, he stands and holds out a hand to help me to my feet. I decline and rise all on my own. Despite what happened tonight, I don't need a man to take care of me. Especially this one.

My body aches like I have been working out in the fields all day. My muscles are stiff, my back pops, and my knees groan. It's an effort to keep myself upright, and I've done next to nothing this evening. But that’s what a curse does. It seeps into your bones and wraps itself around your very being until it doesn’t need the spelled artifact to affect its target.

I should offer the soldier a heartfelt thank you. If he hadn’t removed the mask when he had, the curse would have sunk its teeth in me. I would have been a powerless, love-struck fool.

If only I were good at doing what society dictates I should. “I’m coming with you.”

“I can’t allow that. Sorry, little bird.” The soldier turns and weaves his way through the crowded tavern.

I follow, quick on his heels. A few men whistle and try to grab my attention as I pass, but I’m done playing this part tonight. At this point, I don’t even know if Graves truly is in the Tavern or if Ezra fabricated the lie to get me off of my homeland. Curses can be fickle like that. “I wasn’t asking.”

We leave out a set of saloon doors near the back of the tavern. I didn’t pay enough attention earlier to the Red Keep or what surrounded it. I focused on my path and assumed Ezra had secured the perimeter. I didn’t know four horses were tied to a water trough on the far side. All with the royal crest branded into their saddles.

“Can you ride?” he asks, untethering the reins from the post.

He’s accepted I’m coming with him. Good. My night would beinfinitely more difficult if I had to track him… but I would’ve if needed to find Ezra. “What kind of question is that?”

“A solid one, considering most ladies choose the comfort of a carriage over the stiffness of a saddle.” The soldier places his foot in the stirrup and settles himself on the beast’s back.

I hesitate long enough for him to ask mewhywith his eyes. “I’m not like you. If I steal a horse, I’ll be flogged or worse.”

He lifts his head slightly as the implications of my decisions resonate. “No harm will come to you. You have my word.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“I can, but if it makes you feel better, we can ride together.” He extends his hand and again, I hesitate.

I’m not sure his offer makes me feel any better, but what choice do I have? Stealing from the royal guard is a capital offense, and these horses are too nice to belong to a common foot soldier. This man is a soldier. He might get a lashing or two if we’re caught and his rank isn’t high enough, but overall, he will be fine.

Me…

I sigh, uneasy to put my trust in a stranger. On an average day, the notion wouldn’t even cross my mind, there are too many unknowns, but Ezra’s fate rests in the hands of someone named Aisha, and I need to be there for him.

I take the soldier’s hand and awkwardly climb onto the horse’s bare back. I don’t sit side-saddle, so it takes me a minute to adjust my skirt and get my bearings, but soon enough, I’m settled.

“Hang on.” The soldier grabs my arms and pulls me close as he wraps them around his waist.

He smells like cedar and smoke and something I can’t put my finger on. It’s unique, but I know I’ve smelt it somewhere… I think before Mom and Karter died. I try to remember where, but the scent tickles a memory I can’t find.

The soldier backs the horse up and turns us around. Before I’m ready, he cracks the reins and we take off, not on one of Overburn’s paths but between the trees.

Into the Forbidden Forest.

Ican’t help but fear this place. All my life, there have been rules regarding the Forbidden Forest. Even now, as I disregard Mother’s warnings, I hear her voice in my head repeating the guidelines meant to keep me safe.

Never stray so far that you can’t see the land you left behind.

If you stumble onto a stream of running water, don’t cross over.

Stay out if the moon is in the sky, despite the sun being beside it.

And never, under any circumstances, go into the woods after dark.

I’m sure Mother had her reasons for the rules, but I have my own for breaking them.

---