What were the other things he planned?
The grin Elijah sent to Casteel didn’t go unnoticed. “I bet you do.”
Heat flooded my face, even though I only had an inkling of what the innuendo meant.
“You still think you’ll have the first group out within two days?” Casteel asked as he swung up behind me with startling ease. I was sure if I tried that, I’d end up belly-flopping across the saddle and then sliding off it.
“I hope to get the first group out by tomorrow morning,” Elijah told him.
“Good. I’ll be waiting for them to arrive in Spessa’s End before I continue on to Atlantia. At least then, I will feel a little better about crossing the Skotos,” he said. “But I don’t want you to wait too long. Just because the western roads are clear now, you know they won’t stay that way for long.”
“And you know I’m not leaving until the last one is well on the way home.”
Thinking of all the people being forced to abandon their homes saddened me. It didn’t matter that it had been planned long before my arrival. I’d sped up those plans.
“I know. That is why you’ve been entrusted with these people.” Casteel took the reins Elijah handed him. “I expect to see you home, my friend.”
“You will.” Elijah looked at me. “Keep our Prince in line and do so vigilantly. I expect to hear many stories that involve you throwing down with him.”
“You really don’t need to encourage her.” Casteel curled an arm around my waist, and a heartbeat later, I was nestled between his thighs, my back pressed to his front.
Although I hadn’t forgotten about the lack of personal space while on horseback, my memories of it had dimmed. I wasn’t sure I needed the cloak, but I knew from past experience that there was no point in sitting straight as a pole. All I would succeed in doing was causing my back to ache and my bones to feel jostled. And besides, I didn’t think a happy…fiancée would pull away from their intended husband.
And, truthfully, I didn’t want to. I had no idea how much of that desire had to do with avoiding how uncomfortable it would be, or if it was because of last night, his gift, the pantry, the secrets he shared, and all the moments in between.
Elijah bent his arm, pressing his fist to his heart. “From blood and ash.”
“We will rise,” Casteel finished, and my stomach dipped in response. Those words were the mark of the Dark One, his promise to his people and his supporters scattered throughout the kingdoms that they would rise once again.
Those words had once been a harbinger of chaos, the bringer of pain and death. And now, the Dark One sat behind me.
I was to marry him.
Temporarily.
And I’d allowed him to kiss me. To touch.
Because we were pretending.
None of this was real.
“Until next time.” Elijah bowed in my direction.
“I hope your travels are uneventful,” I said, surprising myself, and maybe even Casteel, because his arm tightened in response. I meant it, because…well, I liked the way Elijah always laughed.
Even when it annoyed me.
And the people here didn’t need to experience any more violence or heartbreak.
“As do I.” Elijah grinned, stepping back. “Though I doubt she needs it, keep her safe, Prince.”
“I always keep what is mine safe,” Casteel murmured, and my eyes narrowed as he gave Setti a soft nudge.
Setti trotted forward. The other three were waiting, and we ended up in the middle of the group as we rode out into the yard and passed the eerie warning the gods had left behind. My heart matched the steady thud of Setti’s hooves as I gripped the pommel.
“Where are your gloves?” Casteel asked.
I found my voice after a moment. “In the satchel.”
“They won’t do any good there.” He switched the reins to the hand that was at my waist, and then he was handing them over. “Spessa’s End is farther south. It will be warmer there.”
I took the gloves, slowly pulling them on while my heart leapt. Up ahead, the roofs of homes came into view. Sparing a look behind me, I saw only the edges of the stone keep before it too disappeared.
The mixture of nervousness and anticipation swirling inside me was a strange companion as I turned back around. In a few minutes, once we left the Rise surrounding New Haven, there would be no more chances to escape if I wanted to. We would be traveling too far to the east. I had to be fully committed to this deal I’d struck with Casteel—to his plan. Because now, there was no turning back.