Page 47 of Of Kings and Thieves

“I almost wonder if The Harrow is here,” Col said.

“Is that likely?” I asked.

“From all accounts that I’ve heard, no,” Col said. “He likes his silks and feasts and cushions and beds. He likes comforts, and Iron Deep does not offer many of those, at least not to his standards.” He frowned, looking at me.

Did you think I want comforts and feasts and beds? Well, maybe the feasts. I always wondered what one would be like.

I liked them when I was young. Col’s face turned pensive.

I leaned over and placed my hand on his knee. “I’m in this with you,” I murmured.

He took my hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Col, what would you like to do?” Magnus asked.

“I believe that the alicorn horn is in the castle, so that’s where we need to be as well. Killian, are you able to give us a leg up here? An illusion that will allow people to see us but not take any notice of us?”

“You mean make us look like we’re peasants or something?”

“Yes.”

Killian nodded, and his horse pranced beneath him, something the animal often did on a whim. I swore that animal was possessed by a demon. Col said that only Killian had ever been able to ride it.

“I know a spell or two that can conceal us,” Killian said, “that won’t be as taxing as the one that currently shields us. We can all look like we’re farmers with our pack animals. But it will only last for a couple of hours. Are we able to get inside the castle walls and find what we’re seeking in that time?”

Col shook his head. “At least we can use it to get closer. It’ll give us time to get over the bridge and into the city, where we can hide.”

Killian nodded. “As you command, my prince.”

Col kissed my hand. This is the most dangerous part, and we aren’t even near the castle or the city gates. Someone is going to see us, and we have to hope they only see what we want them to see. I remember what you said about staying with me, but I can’t help thinking that you don’t need to be here. That if you part with us now, you can go south to Glimmerdale. You would be safer.

My face flashed with heat as my emotions roiled around inside me. But I landed on anger. This is my errand too now. I thought we had an understanding.

And we do. I only want to tell you once again that I would die for you, Samara, but it may not be enough. Not here. As he said the next words, he almost choked. “I would do anything for you, including die a thousand deaths if it meant saving your life. But even Killian could not manage that feat for me, and it’s quite possible we’re all riding to our doom.”

I was still frowning, and as if sensing my mood, Sprite stamped her foot. “What am I supposed to do?” I asked. “Am I supposed to forget about you and these weeks we’ve spent together? Do you think I can put them aside out of self-preservation?”

He shook his head.

“If the roles were reversed,” I continued, my jaw tight, “and this was my errand alone, would you leave?”

Col raised an eyebrow. “Absolutely not.”

“Then I don’t know why we’re discussing this.”

He squeezed my hand one more time and then let go. “Having you by my side gives me courage. It terrifies me, but it gives me courage. I couldn’t imagine what I would do if I lost you. Probably tear down the world looking for you.”

“And I would do the same for you.” I ached for him, wishing I could pull him off his horse and hold him close. Absently, I fingered the ring on my hand.

“Dammit, Samara,” he muttered, “why do you have to be so stubborn?”

I smiled. “Do you expect anything less?”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

He’s worried about me, I thought as I rode away from Col.

No, he thinks you’ll be in the way, said another voice, a more sinister one.

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