Page 54 of Of Kings and Thieves

“I am, but don’t let the gift and the golden hair fool you. I’m a much better catch than Magnus.”

I snorted. “He’s a playboy, isn’t he? I’ve never been attracted to his kind…” I caught a look in Col’s eye. “But perhaps I’ll make an exception.”

Col’s eyes darkened, and I smirked. “Not jealous, are you?”

He chuckled. “Of Magnus? No. But I like it better when you dote on me.”

“You do, huh?” I kissed him, tenderly. Then I nuzzled my face under his chin, his beard tickling my ear. Have you fought orcs before?

Col nodded but didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t have the heart to press him with more questions just then. I was still thinking of the pile of bodies not far away, separated from us by only a few crumbling walls, and the memory of driving my sword and dagger into those orcs was vivid. I looked at my hands, tried to hide the slight tremble in them. I had contemplated killing before, even had the chance, but never gone through with it until now.

I wondered if it would always feel so surreal and visceral at the same time.

Yes, it will, Col responded, and I didn’t mind that he was hearing my thoughts. It was better than having to vocalize them.

I fell asleep shortly after, bundled up in my cloak while he was on watch. I woke to hushed voices and opened my eyes to see Col crouching near Scarlet. Then I noticed the angry look on her face. They seemed to be having a disagreement, and Scarlet proved how much better she was feeling by gesticulating wildly with her hands.

I strained to hear what they were saying, but they were being quiet and I couldn’t hear them over the crackling of the fire. Finally, Col sighed and lay down behind me, wrapping his strong arm around my middle and pulling me into his chest. When he got settled, I half turned to him and whispered, “What was that about?”

“Just a disagreement between old friends,” Col growled.

“About what? The orcs? The Harrow?”

“Later. We both need rest. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”

Tomorrow was the full moon. “What exactly is the plan?” I whispered.

Col squeezed me as if to shut me up, but I turned in his arms and stared at him. “Col?”

“Yes?”

“What happens tomorrow? Will The Harrow follow through on his threat?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“So what are we going to do?”

Col smiled tenderly, but I imagined I saw a bit of sadness in his eyes. “I think I have a plan.”

“And?” I hissed. “What is it?”

“You’re the nosiest person I’ve ever met.”

I huffed. “And you are evading my questions. I need to know, or are you scaring me on purpose?”

He laughed quietly. “I would never.”

“Then tell me what the plan is.”

“It’s a work in progress, really, but I’ve been thinking of the old tunnels into the castle.”

“The ones you used to escape when The Harrow killed your parents?”

Col sighed and nodded.

“You want to use them to get into the castle and retrieve the alicorn horn,” I said with a surge of excitement. “That’s brilliant.”

“Only if The Harrow doesn’t know about the tunnels and hasn’t blocked them or set guards. And then there’s the problem that tomorrow is the full moon, and I doubt we can reach the castle and infiltrate it through the tunnels in the space of one day, or three.”

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