Page 93 of The Great Pursuit
A blissful sensation of energy filled Paxton as fresh, new muscle and skin began to form over the man’s arm. His head thrashed back and forth, but Paxton continued until all of the blackened spots were pushed outward and wiped away, showing only golden skin. The man lay panting, his face sweating. He slowly opened his eyes and dared a look at his arm. Then a disbelieving smile came to his face. He babbled in Kalorian and Paxton nodded.
“All better.”
The hunger and exhaustion from earlier had disappeared under the influence of magic flowing through Paxton’s body now. If he could keep healing people, perhaps he could continue to go without sleep for a while longer. He had no idea how he could get the forces underground to safety, and heneeded time to think. He couldn’t imagine that they’d been able to cram more than forty soldiers into the tunnel with all the staff. There was no possible way they could come above and fight the hundreds of Kalorians who still lived.
He needed to find a time when he could sneak to the basement past the cellars and pantry, where stores of wool, cotton, and feathers were kept to replenish bedding. It was said that the entrance was hidden beneath a rusted chest that had been bolted into the floor. He had to warn them and see about restocking their food and water. But they couldn’t stay below forever. He’d have to find a way to get them out.
Paxton ran outside to find another person to heal. On his way back inside with a man draped over his shoulder, he was passed by soldiers carrying armfuls of wine cases up from the cellars. They spoke animatedly, laughing.
They were planning to celebrate.
Paxton brought the man into High Hall and lowered him to the floor, concentrating on his shattered knee until every shard of bone had fused. When finished, Paxton wiped his brow. Fine skirts of deep blue swished next to him. Paxton raised his chin to look at Rozaria’s face. She’d changed and brushed her hair. When she held out a hand, he took it and stood. In her other hand was a bottle of wine.
“I enjoy watching you work,” she said. “But now it is time to relax.” At the sound of those words, his insides did the exact opposite of relaxing. If she was referring to more time alone, he couldn’t stomach it. No more. Touching Rozariawas wrong on too many levels. She held out the bottle of wine, but he held up a hand.
“I cannot relax when there is still work to be done,” he said. “You enjoy it.”
“You do not know the meaning of relaxing, do you, hunter?”
Paxton huffed a laugh from his nose. “I suppose not.”
She ran a hand up his chest. “Well, I think we are all tired. I imagine they’ll drink every drop in the castle and then sleep half the day away tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Paxton said. What he really wanted just then was to find out what happened between the prince and Aerity and to see if she was okay. He had to carefully fish for information. “I take it the prince has found suitable accommodations within the castle?”
“Mm, he found the king’s chambers and he’s probably sleeping like a plump babe as we speak. He needs as much sleep as a youngling. As for the girl, she’s not to leave her chambers.”
His chest jumped at this mention of Aerity. “Under the watch of guards, I presume,” he said.
“Yes, though I think he will not waste any time before marrying her. Possibly even tomorrow.” Paxton stopped breathing for several long moments before forcing himself to respond.
“I suppose that makes sense for him.”
“Yes. She is key to getting the people to accept his rule.But she will always be under lock and key. That is his nature. To control. The girl may believe she’ll be queen in all ways, but she will be a puppet of Vito. A plaything. And he will eventually tire of her.” This seemed to delight her to no end.
Paxton cursed the prince to the darkest depths of the seas. “He is a smart man.”
He is a dead man.
Rozaria raised the bottle and took a drink.
“I’m going to patrol,” he told her. “I’ll try to find you when I’m done.”
“I’ll be in the south Lord and Lady chambers.”
Paxton nodded and walked from High Hall, breathing deeply once he was away from her. When he was at the end of the hall he glanced back and saw Nicola walk out of High Hall alone. He went down the next hall, down the steps, and toward the library. He wanted to get a better idea of how many were in the castle, and which rooms they occupied. The library was completely empty, but he noticed the shelves had been ransacked and the books torn. He gritted his teeth at the shameful display.
Back in the hallway he headed toward the indoor archery range, but he could have sworn the wall tapestry swayed. He slowed and watched. It didn’t move again. Paxton stepped into the doorway of the range and found it surprisingly empty, as well. Nobody was using this wing.
From the corner of his eye he saw the tapestry move again. So slight, like a flimsy branch in a breeze, but definitemovement. Paxton slid into the archery room and hid behind the door. He pulled a dagger from under his shirt. Seconds later, Nicola slowly and silently moved into the room. Paxton reached one arm around her, pinning her arms to her sides, and stuck the tip of the dagger to her throat.
“Why are you following me?” he asked.
Somehow she was able to maneuver her hand upward so that one fingertip touched his forearm. A singe of pain burned Paxton’s skin and he flung her away. She spun to face him, her hood falling back to reveal her angry face.
He took a stance in front of the door to block her, brandishing his blade. “Why, Nicola?”
“You do not care for her, Lochlan,” she spat. “She is deceived but I am not.”
