The obstinate man merely tightened his arm around my waist.
My thoughts were still my own. And Lorian was entitled to none of them. “I’m thinking about my magic.”
“Good. Perhaps if you think hard enough, you’ll figure out how to wield it.”
I tensed. “Your teaching methods leave much to be desired.”
“I take offense to that.” Amusement curled through his voice.
“You told me everything I knew was a lie, refused to tell me why, and threw rocks at me!”
Each practice session had been a repeat of that first day. And each time I asked just what he’d been referring to when he’d called me ignorant, he’d shrugged and suggested he’d maybe be willing to tell me once I was useful for more than just decorative purposes.
His body moved behind me as he shrugged those enormous shoulders. “You’re not trying hard enough.”
I had to learn how to wield my power. Because I knew Lorian well enough to know that if he didn’t think I was ready, he would camp in the forest near the city walls until he decided I could be trusted at the gate. The sooner I could use my power, the sooner we could go our separate ways.
A cool breeze was coming from the north, bringing with it the smell of rain and newly cut pine. The sun had gone down, and I shivered, sucking the cold air into my lungs. “We’ll need to find shelter soon.”
“We’re stopping at the next village for the night.”
My mouth went dry. Villages meant people who would be on the lookout for anyone they could hand over to the king’s guards. Even the most kindly innkeeper could be bought for a hundred gold coins.
“Is that safe?”
“I’ll keep you safe.”
He said it casually, and I just shook my head with a laugh. Sure, I was trusting him with my safety to a point. But if he thought I would just blindly believe his word, he was insane.
I could practically hear the brute grinding his teeth at my instant dismissal. But if he thought I was going to forget about him leaving me to either freeze or burn to death, he could think again.
I pulled the hood of Galon’s cloak over my head as the village came into view. Night was already falling, and my stomach had awoken at the thought of a proper meal. My body longed for a real bed, even if it was only for one night.
Rythos disappeared to see if the closest inn had rooms available.
My heart pounded like a drum. My vision narrowed. I watched every face, paying careful attention to anyone who looked at our party for too long.
And yet, no one seemed to notice us. Their gazes flicked past us, and a few gave us a nod of greeting. But no one called for the authorities.
“You don’t need to be afraid.”
“I’m not.”
Lorian snorted.
“Why would I be afraid, when I have so many big, strong men to protect me?” I simpered when I could unclench my jaw.
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Was that what you were doing in my village when I saw you at the Gifting ceremony?” I asked. “Staying at the inn?”
A long silence followed, as if he was debating whether to answer. Finally, he nodded. “Your priestess insisted on even more blather than most.”
Rythos returned. His expression was morose when he rode back toward us. “Only two rooms available,” he said with a deep sigh. “It’ll be bedrolls on the floor for us.” He gestured to the other men.
“We’ll arm-wrestle for the bed,” Lorian said, and Rythos just rolled his eyes.
“Why waste the time when you’ll trounce every one of us?”
What exactly were they talking about? “Surely if we’re all spread over two rooms, it won’t be that bad.”
Galon scowled at me. “You can’t sleep in the same room as us.”
“Why?”
He just gave me a look that said he was doubting my intelligence.
“I’ve slept next to you big lumps every night on our journey. Why would being confined within four walls make it any different?”
Rythos shook his head. “That’s not how they think in towns closer to the city. You’d get a reputation…”
I shook my head at him. “I’m a criminal who will be on the run for the rest of her life. Such ideas are useless.”
Lorian tightened his arm around my waist in the infuriating way he did when he had a decree to make. “Regardless, it would draw attention. The men will share, and you will have your own room.”
If they wanted to suffer, then who was I to stop them? Besides, maybe some privacy would be a good thing. I could reevaluate if working with the mercenaries was in my best interest. And if it wasn’t? An inn was a good place to separate.