Page 55 of Pure Magic
Inside my head, he says, “Don’t lose hope, my love. We may still have all you dream of and more.”
As unlikely as it is, the fact that he still believes it possible and longs for the same future heals my aching heart.
Chapter
Eighteen
ADAM
Despite the long days, and sometimes nights, of riding, Sara Beth never complains. She’s a rare person, as I wanted to complain every moment other than when she slept in my arms. I’ve been running for eight years, and my body aches in places I didn’t know existed. It’s all worth it for the look on her face as the Peak District rolls out before us.
The road leads us over a hill, and the valley below is awake with a dozen shades of green. The peaks are dotted with the jutting rocks the area is famous for. There’s a reason people holiday in Derbyshire.
“This is spectacular,” she says on a breath. “Should we get off the road?”
I shrug. “I can’t imagine Ariana knows we’re here yet. We’ve not stopped in a village, so word could not have spread. Besides, I saw a sign for Birchover not long ago. That seems like the kind of place one might find a staff made of birch.” It amuses me more than it should, but I’m tired, and my mind and body desperately need a safe place to rest.
She smiles and continues down the road. “We should see if there’s a coven to shelter us in Birchover.”
“How will we know if they’re in the light?” The idea of exposing Sara Beth to danger lodges a knot in my gut.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not weak, Adam. I can take care of myself and more. Don’t become one of those men who thinks he must protect his property when you’re thinking of me.”
Is that what I’m doing? “I only wish for you to be safe. I would never think of any person as property. Do you not wish to keep me from harm?”
Her shoulders rise and fall sharply. “I do. I’m sorry. It’s only that I’m tired. I think and also hope, I will know if the Derbyshire coven is in the light.”
The animals are as tired as we are. They need a good rest and something more than grass to eat. As we enter the village, heads turn. At the center of the buildings lining the main street is an inn.
A boy carrying a chicken under one arm slows, and wide-eyed, he stares. Blond hair pokes out from under a threadbare cap. Magic tingles in the air before he runs down the street with the chicken clucking as they go.
Jumping down from my saddle, I look up at Sara Beth. “I suppose we’ll know as soon as that boy gets to his high priest or priestess and alerts them to our arrival.”
She swings her leg over the horse’s back and lets me help her down.
A round man with thinning black hair and a dishtowel in his hand rushes from the inn’s double doors. “Welcome!” He raises his hands with his towel flailing around joyfully. “You are most welcome. Will you be staying with us?”
“If you have room for us and a place to have our horses tended, good sir.” I hold out my hand for shaking.
Pumping my hand as if water might spring from me, he grins, showing off yellow, crooked teeth. “Of course. I’m Wyatt Bule. Jillian!” he calls to a girl of perhaps sixteen who is leaning on the side of the building.
Blond hair plaited on either side of her head, Jillian runs over. Breeches peek out from beneath a brown skirt. “I can take care of those animals for you.”
“Can you?” Sara Beth studies the girl while she unties her bag from the saddle. “They need some rich feed, as they’ve been worked hard and only had grass for several days. I’d like to see them have a good rub down, then rest.”
Jillian stares at Sara Beth then looks at me before returning her gaze to Sara Beth. “I’ll see them properly cared for, madam.” Without another word, she unties my bag, hands it to me, takes the reins of both horses, and trots around the building and down an alley.
Still grinning, the innkeeper says, “We have a stable at the back. Won’t you both come inside? I have a fine mutton stew, if you’re hungry, and a room already made up if you’re tired.”
“We’re both, Mr. Bule. I’m Adam Drummond, and this is my wife, Elizabeth.”
“Excellent.” He bows to Sara Beth. “Come inside. We’ll see you fed and rested.”
We take our bags up to a nice room with a large bed and a copper tub.
Sara Beth gasps at the sight of the tub. “Mr. Bule, would a bath be possible after we’ve eaten?”
“I’ll have it filled, madam.”
