Page 44 of Jeweler to the Blessed
As I prepared for my trip, I tried to surround myself withdirt and plants from the forest, working to desensitize myself to the strength of its call. The Oldwood didn’t seem to affect anyone else this way. I glanced at my position, leaning against the tree off the path. It seemed that part of my plan was a failure.
I wiped my hand on my skirt and slipped it back into my glove. “I’m fine.”
Hart appeared unconvinced.
That made two of us.
Wandering back to the trail, I needed to focus. While I doubted Hart would let me out of his sight long enough for me to disappear for hours, I didn’t honestly know what these woods held. Or why I reacted so strongly to them. Wild animals roamed, and it wasn’t unheard of for workers to disappear on the walk to and from the mines. Dangerous predators and fabled creatures crept from the mine tunnels in search of easier prey.
I glanced up, attempting to peer through the thick tree cover. The forest was so dense, I could hardly tell the time. “We should keep moving.”
Hart, for his part, didn’t press. “It’s best to stay on the path.”
Like I was unaware. It had never been my intention to leave the path in the first place. I didn’t even know what had drawn me into the trees. Still, I couldn’t believe he didn’t question my behavior. He simply gestured for me to lead, following to the right so he had a clear view of any incoming threats.
“It’s a bit of a hike to the Oldwood Mine. Have you been?” he asked.
I was sure he knew the answer, but I played along. “I haven’t.”
“We’ll follow this trail until the fork. Then, we’ll head left,where the path curves into the Pinnacle Mountains. The mine entrance is at the base.”
How many occasions had he had to trek to the Oldwood Mine? Guards weren’t usually required out here. The only Blessed was the mine foreman. None of the other workers had magic.
“Keep the trip short,” he continued. “We can’t be in the mines for more than an hour or risk returning in the dark.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “Should we come tomorrow morning when we have more time?”
He shook his head. “I don’t suggest ignoring a direct …requestfrom Elias.”
The pause told me all I needed to know. Hart didn’t believe the charming front the prince put on for the masses, although his perspective may be biased, since I was confident he sold illegal goods.
“We should talk about your trip to Forest’s Edge.” His voice was louder than I’d grown used to. He was closer than I expected, his mouth beside my ear.
I turned, striking out in surprise.
He caught my gloved wrist before I made contact.
“Chaos, I’m not trying to touch you. I want to talk.”
I pushed hard against his grip, and he let me go.
Inadvertently, I took a step back. All the fears I thought I’d quelled in Alaric’s workshop came rushing back. We were alone in the Oldwood. I’d already proved I needed him to pull me back from whatever hold the Oldwood had.
“Ava said you tried to set up a regular pickup for the youngleaf.”
Gooseflesh pebbled my skin. I tried to relax. This was the conversation I needed to have. My trip to Forest’s Edge had left me a little scarred, especially knowing that I’d interacted socasually with the Feared, and that their plans for me were … unacceptable.
I took another step back and felt the knife at my hip. No matter how much I reminded myself that Alaric trusted Hart. I couldn’t get past Hart’s familiarity with the Feared.
Hadn’t Alaric been familiar with the Feared as well?
Hart held his hands up in a gesture of peace. “You heard me speak to your uncle.” His teeth gritted as he referenced Alaric. He sounded … annoyed about something.
My breathing steadied. Alaric had known Soren too. Hart and Alaric had spoken of him in the conversation I’d overheard. Knowing a person wasn’t an indication of sharing their beliefs.
“What are you getting at?”
He pointed a finger at me. “You came looking for me, Chaos.”
