Her breath caught when her hands closed on his folded arms. She didn’t remember approaching him. Under her palm, everything became clearer. He was proud, yes, but more than anything he longed to prove himself; he had such a strong heart…
Derek gently unclenched her fingers from his sleeve.
“I really wish you would stop doing that.”
Sacha looked up again, surprised and slightly ashamed by her momentary lapse.
“Doing what?”
“Manipulating me into doing your will.”
“I am not-”
He interrupted her denial, which was just as well because her cheeks were growing embarrassingly hot.
“I am a reasonable man. If you suggest something sensible, instead of shrewdly trying to bend me to your wishes or to boss me around, I am going to listen.”
Reasonable? Sensible? She seriously doubted that. And she never tried to manipulate anyone, let alone giving him orders, he was damned to stubborn anyway! Sacha took a deep breath to calm down before she said something she would regret later.
“So; does it make sense to you to try keeping a low profile, and avoid showing you are Prince Derek, the captain of Haven's knights?”
He answered her sulk with one of his best sneers, which she was one heartbeat close to whip off his face with a slap.
“Yes, actually it does.”
oOo
Sacha sighed discreetly and moved a little to find a more comfortable position. The night’s events kept bouncing back at her; the attack mixed with her visions were denying her of a much-needed rest.
She shifted again on the bed. They had stayed up late, waiting for Gisela’s return, and afterward assessing the options their belongings offered.
For a good part of their vigil, she and Derek had argued about their next moves. After a while, they had fallen silent, maybe realizing the bickering was fruitless, or seeking comfort in the silence and each other’s company. At least she was; she could not tell for Derek. Sometimes, she had no means of knowing what was going on inside his head.
She turned cautiously to avoid disturbing Gisela who was lying next to her, and opened her eyes. Derek had deserted his own narrow bunk to resume his watch by the fire. He was probably reviewing each step of their escape plan, one by one.
Derek had his chin on his good hand, his elbow resting on his knee, and his left arm along his thigh. For an instant, Sacha thought about joining him but decided against it, preferring not to disturb his rest, if it was one. Even in deep thoughts, he looked powerful, and reassuring.
The idea intrigued her. She had seen him calm and wistful more often in those past four days than she had in her entire life. Sacha wondered if she simply had forgotten to pay attention. Warmth rose in the pit of her stomach at the thought, uncomfortably pleasant.
“Derek is a good man.”
Gisela’s murmur at her back gave Sacha a turn.
“Yes, he is.”
“And rather handsome. Are you two betrothed?”
Sacha blushed, and she felt grateful to have her back to her curious new friend.
“Good Lord, no!”
Her exclamation echoed in the quiet room Sacha anxiously peeped at the shadows on the wall, alarmed Derek might have heard her. None flinched and she concentrated on Gisela’s next question.
“Why not? You obviously care a lot about each other.”
The notion might apply to her, Sacha thought. She did care about the man seated a few feet away. She generally avoided defining the feeling, but it was care; maybe even tenderness, with a hint of jealousy and a good portion of annoyance. And desire, if she was perfectly honest. Her feelings toward Derek were definitely a strange mix, but…
“Derek never showed… He does not regard me as a potential princess.”
Nor did I ever admit I would consider him as husband material, did I?
She turned to face her accidental confidant, looking for an answer to her mute question on the other woman’s gentle features.
“A princess?”
Sacha felt her cheeks warmed once more against the rough fabric of the sheet. They had taken care to keeping Derek’s true identity from Gisela, and with one slip of her tongue, she had blown his cover. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She was just useless. Her head drifted into ridiculous fantasies and she acted like those idiots drooling around Derek she couldn’t stand. No wonder he thought so little of her! She tried to sweet-talk her way out.
“Yes, a princess, like in bard’s tales. The brave knight turns into Prince Charming in those, doesn’t he?”
Gisela chuckled, probably reading through her obvious lie.
“Life is not a bard’s song, Sacha.” Late at night, nestled under the wool blanket, titles and formal addresses were overrated. “If you find a man that suits your needs, don’t wait for declarations of undying love and minstrel’s nonsense or you will wait for a long time. If Derek is what you want, you should act upon it. I’m sure you know how.”
Sacha fell silent, looking for something to retort. This conversation started to look a lot like Ylianor’s "vinegar versus honey" lectures. Sleep would have been a great excuse to divert the topic, but it still eluded her. She could not even yawn. Her neck yearned to turn for another glimpse at him. Granted, not to revel in his appeal; no, of course not. That would be disgraceful, just…
“You have an amazing gift.”
Magic was far from the best subject as well; yet she found it safer than the uncharted romantic territories.
“I see fragments of possible futures. Sometimes it is just a sensation, like this evening. I… I had a vision about a baby. Derek’s son.” Why was everything taking her back to him?! “I wish I could describe it for you. It was warm and brilliant, and so wonderful… I liked it better than my other visions.”
She thought of the nightmares, of her panicked awakenings, her heart bouncing madly to escape her chest and her throat so tight it hurt. Magic didn’t seem amazing then. Sacha changed the subject once more.
“Do you think we will be able to exit the town without being seen?”
“Yes.”
The affirmation came from behind her, loud and indisputably male. She blushed furiously. He heard! What else had he caught of her secrets? She feared turning around and meet his mocking stare.
“You should rest.”
His voice was quiet again, slightly tired. Sacha risked a glance above her shoulder. Derek had not moved from his former position near the hearth, and was not even looking at her. Maybe he had not heard that much.
“So should you.”
For once, she managed to keep annoyance out of her reply. Or not. Derek exhaled noisily.
“This is not a contest over who can best resist exhaustion, Sacha. Try to get some rest.”
Should he had shown concern instead of patronizing her, or simply added ‘please’, she would have tried to preserve the fragile truce they had achieved during the evening. But he didn’t, and Sacha instantly forgot about tenderness and understanding.
“You are the wounded one; not I.”
Derek stood abruptly and walked back to his corner to lie down on his cot.
“Here. Happy?”
God he was insufferable.
“Very. Good night.”
Temper boiled in his snort and her pride purred.
Sacha turned to lay on her other side. Gisela’s amused smile greeted her. She glared. The other woman's smile widened, but she said nothing. The lady closed her eyes, and finally dozed off.
Chapter 18
Morning was already half gone when Derek finally agreed to leave the small house. The crowd had grown so much it was nearly impossible to see more than four feet ahead. They had to negotiate their way through a compact forest of stalls and peasants. The more they progressed through the crowd, the more nervous he felt, though he couldn’t pinpoint why; the market’s frenzy provided the perfect cover for their getaway, should the powerful Guild still watch.
Derek swore loudly w
hen a passing wheel forced him to jump aside. Bad idea, waiting. They should have gone the previous night. The hell with the rain. They should have gone as soon as Gisela came back with too few of their possessions: merely a change of clothes, and the assurance that Mistress Marion would look after their belongings and the horses.
The few words he had gathered between the servant’s chuckles and the beautiful Lady of Haven’s constant blushes had been sufficient to get the basics. The innkeeper obviously assumed they were retiring to the monastery, and now she was expecting the pair back in a day or two, blessed by a priest... He would have laughed if it hadn’t been for the spectre of Sacha’s reaction. This was going to be awkward, at best.
The prince twisted to avoid being stamped by a cow and growled when the cowman’s stick hit his back. He pulled angrily at the bag he was carrying to free it, dismissing the peasant’s apology with another grouch. It took an effort to dismiss the suspicion of attempted robbery. Of course it wasn’t. The guy simply didn’t pay attention to anything but his herd. Derek tried a deep breath to settle his nerves, scanning the surroundings, and swore. Sacha was dancing around like she was enjoying herself; in a minute she would stop and negotiate a bunch of flowers or a length of fabric. He cursed again, more loudly. Apparently, her awareness evaporated in daylight.
Derek pulled the musing lady behind a cart more or less gently. Glimpses of silver and red mocked him through the opening of her cape. Couldn’t she at least be discreet? He barked, “Stop wagering. Keep your head down and close that damn thing!”
The cloak he could do without, but the lack of steel by his side perturbed him. He was incomplete without it. Useless. Exposed. The crowd was faceless and unfriendly. Men were carrying sticks as thick as his arm. More clubs than sticks. Dangerous things, those. Could crush the strongest man into a pulp… Were those two Hercules marching on them? They could be looking for a generous knight and his sidekick.
Derek grabbed Sacha’s wrist to urge her forward. She grimaced, probably because the long blade bumped into her legs with every stride. He had advised her to wear it sideways, but of course she hadn’t listened. She never listened. And now she was going to bruise, or get them caught if anyone noticed the blade, and if they needed to run…Derek squeezed her shoulder, and the hard crush made her yelp.
“I’ll take it back.”
Sacha shook her head with a sharp “Out of question.” and weaseled out of his reach to slip between a cart and a mule harassed by its load. Derek gritted his teeth, glancing around for an easier path to follow her. The two bullies spread out above the flow of heads. He bobbed his shoulders and hurried behind her. Fighting their way upstream was stupid. They were too damn noticeable.
The bell banged ten blows and his heart boomed with each clang. His sleeve got caught, and he jerked, reaching instantly for his dagger. His confused mind took in Sacha’s light rose perfume one heartbeat before he struck his assailant in the heart.
“This way.”
He released his grasp on the blade while she steered him into a side alley. Carrying the sword didn’t seem to bother her now she was free to zigzag between the women holding half-empty baskets. Derek strode to keep up with her.
“Sacha, wait, we don’t even know where we’re…” He crashed into her back when she stopped “…going.”
The narrow alley opened onto a bigger place, and the eastern city gate. The carts were pouring in through the opening. Another line had formed of merchants who had completed early business and waited to exit the town. Once in a while, guards interrupted the incoming tide to allow a couple out. Derek groaned. “This is going to take hours.”
Hours, in an open area, where the enemy could spot them. Oh, that was bad… He wiped his hands on his hip, where his weapon should have been. They needed another plan. The hair on his neck prickled. The crowd was circling them, threatening. His pulse was shooting discomfort down to his hands, another reminder he was sword-less.
Derek pushed his pack into Sacha’s hand.
“Hold tight.”
“What? Why?”
Without waiting, he circled her waist with one arm, and swept her off her feet. Sacha fretted.
“What are you doing? Derek!”
She gripped his shoulder when he started toward the garrison. Her cloak started gliding but she managed to keep it into place somehow.
“Sir! You can’t-”
“It’s my friend. She doesn’t feel well…”
The soldier examined Sacha’s pale cheeks. She had closed her eyes and looked in shock. Maybe she really was. Derek hardened his hold.
“Please. She needs space. Crowds tend to overwhelm her…”
The sword was moving along his side. He could feel the weight of steel against his waist. If the guard didn’t buy his story, they were in for a lot of trouble… Sacha jarred in his arms and moaned, pulling onto the weapon. His muscles started to heat uncomfortably in the effort. ‘Come on…’
“Let them pass! You! Can’t you see this girl is unwell? Give way! Let them pass!”
“Thank you, Captain.”
The private dwelt on the title and nodded with a poor imitation of a commanding air. Derek didn’t wait and quickly marched under the portal.
He stopped a few yards from the wall, quitting the swarming road to put Sacha on her feet. She leaned against a tree while he sucked in air.
“I don’t see why you had to put on such a show.”
Derek’s attention jerked to the beautiful woman on his right. She was sulking, lips slightly pursed, annoyance already blooming in her green eyes. She couldn’t be serious… He sneered.
“Oh really. Didn’t you see the two clubs about to swing at us?”
Sacha glared. He gave up arguing. “Please hand me back my sword. I want to put some distance between us and this Guild sometime today, if you don’t mind.”
The emerald stare flickered dangerously. He had taken them out of the monster’s den. What the hell was her problem now? Sacha faced him, one hand on the belt near the hilt of his sword, the other fisted on her hip. If she continued to delay them for nothing… Derek snapped, “I don’t have time for this” before he stepped forward. Sacha scowled, daring him to put his hands on her. He was very tempted to grab her again.
“My sword, Sacha.”
Her eyes blazed, but she slowly untied the scabbard from her waist. The sword was heavy for her to hold at arm's length, yet he did not rush to help. He would probably earn himself a ferocious slap if he touched her now. Her arm trembled when she handed the blade defiantly. Derek held her stare as he belted it.
Neither had backed up, so they stood only a few feet away from each other. A different pull started to taunt his stomach. Her pale cheeks were pink, her lips parted to show pearly teeth he was sure she dreamed of using to rip his throat apart. She was clearly furious. God only knew why. Alright, maybe his tone had triggered it somehow. He rose to the bait every time she took him off guard. But he just… enjoyed the banter. She was fuming, and beautiful.
Derek slipped his thumbs into his belt, hesitating between more teasing and a prudent retreat. Sacha did not leave him any time to decide. She stepped back first.
“Now that you feel whole again, maybe we can go?”
She spun on her heels, ready to hit the road. Derek grabbed their pack and followed her.
Outside the town, the road quickly cleared of traffic. They came across a couple of late shepherds, untiring dogs trotting by their sides, then nothing at all. With fields on left hand and compact copses on their right, their progress quickly grew boring.
Sacha strolled in front, trying very hard to ignore Derek’s gaze on her back. His eyes had taken a deeper shade earlier, so blue it made her heart race.
“It’s too bad that Gisela left our map behind.”
Derek appeared by her elbow, close enough to touch. She bit into her lower lip, fighting the heat coming up her neck.
“We don’t have your mother’s potions, either.”
>
Staring at the horizon was a good thing. He couldn’t notice her trouble if he didn’t catch her eyes…
“What’s wrong?”
‘Could he?’
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Sacha, you’re not that unreadable.”
Really? When did that happen? She used to do a good job at feigning indifference. She sulked.
“I am fine. Now be your usual self and ignore me.”
Derek choked.
“May you repeat that?”
This time her cheeks turned crimson. Oh no. She didn’t mean for him to hear that. Oh. No. Without a proper answer, he insisted:
“You scold me every chance you get. You can’t really expect me to stick around to be flogged.”
Sacha kept her mouth firmly shut. He took hold of her arm, forcing her to stop and face him.
“You started this. Don’t walk away from it. Being honest won’t kill you.”
“Oh, you want honesty? Fine! You ignore me. You refuse to acknowledge I am an intelligent woman, that I can be useful.” Derek’s eyes widened; she was too far gone to notice his temper was dissolving into astonishment. “I am not one of those idle girls who faint with a whiff of your alleged irresistible maleness and purr around you like cats in front of cream!“
His eyes had turned a different blue, teasing.
“A wildcat, maybe…”
Sacha’s hand shot up so quickly he almost missed his catch. Derek tightened his grab when she brawled to get free, hissing like the angry feline he had just compared her to. Her eyes were cold enough to freeze Hell. Maybe not his best move…
“Is there a problem here?”
Both jumped, startled by the strong voice interrupting their face-off. Derek released her to reach for his sword. The intruder had stopped his carriage a few feet behind and glanced back and forth between the contenders. Derek let down his hand. Sacha kept her gaze on him an instant longer before she turned her head to greet the man.
“No, we were just exchanging different views on social behaviour.”
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