I almost laughed, except the deaths of the mortal couple who’d aided us was a haunting presence.
As was the way the mortals had responded to Poppy, fleeing farther into Carsodonia in fear.
My gaze flipped to the rolling green hills. All I saw were sheep, nervous farmers, and Rise Guards. Couldn’t really blame the anxious mortals. Our group drew attention, and it had nothing to do with us traveling outside the Rise without a guard or any Huntsmen.
It was partly because of Kieran. In his wolven form prowling beside us, he was larger than any wolf the farmers or guards had ever seen. And it was also Malik, bound by a portion of the chains that had been around my wrists and astride a horse guided by the draken. None of us trusted that he wouldn’t run back to Carsodonia the very second he got a chance.
That beautiful curve of Poppy’s lips faded as the thick fringes of her lashes swept up. “I reached Delano,” she said, like it was nothing. As if she had spoken to him while he stood a few feet away. “They were supposed to wait for us in Three Rivers, but he said they had to go to Padonia first—it’s near Lockswood.”
My arm tightened around her waist. “I know where it is.” I didn’t know much about the mostly farming community. Had no idea what Ascended ruled or how many called the isolated town home. But I did know that Craven attacks were frequent due to its proximity to the Blood Forest. “Did he say why they went there?”
She shook her head. “Delano said he would explain once we got there but that we’d understand. The bulk of the armies are with them, except for a few battalions they left to secure the other cities we took.” Her hand returned to my arm, and her fingers moved idly. “I don’t know what could’ve drawn them there. We didn’t plan on taking Padonia, instead focusing on the larger cities first. But I…I sensed it wasn’t good.”
Only the gods knew what level of fuckery had drawn them there. I shifted behind her, sliding my hand to her hip as I looked past the hills to the distant crimson glow on the horizon where the Blood Forest loomed. “Padonia is closer to the Blood Forest than Three Rivers. We’ll meet with everyone, see what the hell is going on, and then travel to the Blood Forest from there.”
Poppy turned her head to me, her voice low. “I let Delano know about Malik. I wasn’t able to tell him a lot, other than it’s complicated.” She paused. “I thought your father should be given a heads-up.”
While I wasn’t sure my father deserved it, our friends did. I lowered my head, kissing her cheek. “Thank you.”
A smile started to return, but she turned her head suddenly, inhaling sharply as she raised her hand to her other cheek, rubbing just below the bone.
“You okay?” I asked as quietly as possible. Still, the draken and Kieran turned their attention to us.
“Just an ache. I think I’ve been grinding my teeth,” she said, glancing back at the mortals as she lowered her hand to my wrist. That simple touch…gods, I cherished it. Several long moments passed before she said, “I should’ve known she’d do something so terrible.”
I knew exactly where her mind had not only gone but also stayed since we’d ridden out of the capital, passing homes here and there adorned with white banners above the doors. Banners that, according to Malik, signified that they were a haven for Descenters. “The fact that you didn’t is why you’re nothing like her.” Dipping my head, I touched my lips to her temple once more. “Some things you can’t prepare yourself for, even if you see them coming. She is one of them.”
Poppy shifted her attention forward, to where the horizon shone as if it had been bathed in blood. “How long do you think it will take for us to reach Padonia?”
“About a day’s ride, less if we push. But I don’t think these horses can handle that.”
“I don’t either.” She patted the mare. “They’ll need the rest.”
We traveled a few more hours. Along the way, Kieran snooped around the abandoned farmhouses, alerting us when he found something of use in those that appeared recently vacated. A few blankets here. Bundles of cured beef there. The draken spotted cherry bushes near the old road. It wasn’t much, but we’d make do.
The sky was turning a shade of deep blue and violet when Poppy pulled herself from her thoughts. “After we find Malec and make sure the curse is lifted…” Poppy rested against me, but her body was slowly becoming taut with tension. “We need to end this.”