Page 29 of The Call of Crimson
Two days pass too quickly.
I thought that saying goodbye to Elijah, Ophelia, and Jade would be the hardest part. But leaving my kingdom behind was proving to be even worse. Rimor was my home, and I did not want to leave it.
Trunks had been packed and loaded into the carriages. All the belongings I cared to bring were shoved into wooden boxes, ready to take me to my new life. It had taken such drastic turns in the last few months, I could hardly believe this was happening.
“Remind me again why we must leave so soon?” I ask Ayden. It had been an annoying task to avoid him since his walk throughmy dream, but I couldn’t stand to look him in the face after. Even now, I shift uncomfortably under his intense gaze.
“Time isn’t on our side,” he replies, voice cool and rehearsed. “Though fall has just arrived here, winter comes earlier, and harsher, in Prudia. With a party this size, we’ll need at least a week to reach the castle. I’d rather not be caught in the first frost.”
His answer is logical and rehearsed. And I don’t believe it.
“Have you said your farewells?” he asks.
I nod. We said them last night, and I made it clear I didn’t want them there for the send-off.
“Having them here would make it feel more… permanent. I’ll see them again. Once I figure out how to dissolve this godsdamned marriage contract.” I would make no attempt at hiding my intentions with Ayden.
“Will I be dragging you kicking and screaming down the aisle, love?” He teases.
“You can count on it.”
One side of his lips quirk as he rubs his chin. “Funny. That’s not quite how I remember it the other night. It wasyouwho dragged me into that kiss, was it not?”
I stare at him, not an ounce of shame in me. “If you want a reaction from me, you’ll have to try harder.”
I swing up onto Luna’s saddle, checking my satchel one last time.
Aurelius rides up beside me, astride his horse, Crea. “Don’t encourage him. He’ll only try harder.”
I had avoided him since the council meeting, still hurt by his words about being a hypocrite. My feelings on his presence with us are conflicting. I still felt the sting of his betrayal, even more so each time I discovered there was something else he knew about this betrothal. But a part of me that I want to ignore is grateful to have a piece of home coming with me.
“Are you sure you don’t want to travel in the carriage?” Ayden offers for the third time today.
His normally unruly curls are tamed back today, sunlight highlighting the deep brown color that sets him apart from Aurelius’ black locks. My eyes sweep his form, prior embarrassment still threatening to make an appearance. I really do not want to admit how good he looks in riding leathers, but the truth is undeniable.
The male is devastatingly handsome.
“Worried I might run off on you?” I tease.
“To be frank—yes.”
“My natural response typically involves fighting, not running,” I say with a wink, not wanting him to know I couldn’t handle being trapped between him and Aurelius for even an hour, let alone a week. “I’d be more worried about me throwing knives if I were you. I could use some target practice.”
Ayden’s personal guards tense, hands drifting to their swords at my empty threat.
Ryder and Zion step in behind me, blades already half-drawn.
Ayden sighs, shaking his head. “Stand down. I can handle my fianceé and anything she might throw at me.”
“Are you three quite done with whatever this is?” Ayden’s cousin, Lady Charlotte, asks. Her long blonde locks are braided down the center of her back, the tip nearly reaching her waist. While she isn’t dressed in leathers like us, she is dressed to ride, white blouse tucked into the waistband of fitted pants, riding boots, and a cloak. I’m surprised she isn’t opting for the carriage, given her usual polished demeanor.
“Yes, we should be on our way.” Ayden looks to the sky as if he is expecting bad weather. “We have a lot of ground to cover if we want to make it to the inn by nightfall.”
And with that, we’re off.
We make good time, traveling a straight six hours without stopping. It would have gone faster without the carriage and full entourage, but still, I can’t complain. By late afternoon, we reach the forested area that separates Ciyoria and the outskirts of Caedel.
Caedel marked the border between Prudia and Rimor, often housing citizens of both kingdoms, though it was technically in Rimor. Despite any conflict between our countries, the people here always lived in harmony, making the area a neutral territory of sorts. It was one of Rimor’s largest cities, the surrounding farms responsible for supplying a majority of the capital’s grain and textiles. It would be the last city we’d see before crossing into Prudia.
