“Jak!”
“Hey Lu,” Jak swaggered over to him. “Looking for food, I see.”
“Yeah, girls have to eat or they become little beasties, you know.”
“I do. I picked something up to help with that.” Jak pointed to the animal he carried over his shoulders. “Shall we? My tuskin isn’t far.”
“Sure.” As they walked, Lu said what he knew Rasha wouldn’t. “I thought you’d be angry at us for leaving you behind. Then triggering the pulse without warning you. It wasn’t meant for you, I hope you know that.”
“I know, you have a delivery and that takes priority—and it should. The princess’ life is all that matters. The pulse was a surprise, but I recovered from it.”
“Rasha told us about your mission. Why did you agree to it?” Lu asked.
Jak considered for a moment before answering.
“I gave up being a courier because I didn’t like taking jobs without knowing all the details. This one was upfront from the start and it seemed like something I wouldn’t lose sleep over.”
“Yes, this job makes me think we should have asked a few more questions before accepting it.”
Jak turned toward a stand of trees. His tuskin was feeding behind it, still wet from their travel through the rain. Jak didn’t bother mounting; he strapped his kill to its back. The tuskin stamped his legs but then settled. Jak led it by the reins and followed Lu back toward the cave.
“The king of Adalu hired me to follow you in case you ran into trouble. At first I didn’t know who you were. When they ambushed you on the road with the princess I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.”
“The men from last night. One of them said Chiza’s father hired him.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Rasha says you knew about Chiza’s father.”
“I suspected the father might not honor his promise to the first kingdom. Her transport arrangements and the recent discovery of the gems in the caverns of his lands meant something had to be done.”
* * *
Jak didn’t say any more. He seemed to be deep in thought. It was a while before he spoke again.
“How is the princess?” Jak asked.
“She’s unwell. This journey and its dangers were an unbearable weight on her mind.”
“Well, it’s good then, she has your companionship.”
Lu said nothing more. It was true they were friends, if only that were enough.
“Does she know about her father?” Jak asked.
“We’ve told her what we’ve learned, but she’s finding it hard to believe.”
“No one wants to believe that their own family member would put them in harm’s way just to hold on to a few gems.”
“No,” Lu agreed, but he was thinking about his own family and how often his sister had put them in danger with her own selfish pursuits.
“Has she guessed yet how you feel about her?”
“What?”
“I can imagine it must be hard to keep your distance. She’s gorgeous and exotic. Her belonging to another man can’t be the best of circumstances.”
“No, it’s not like that,” Lu lied. He didn’t know what he felt, but he was certain he didn’t want to share it with Jak.
“If you say so,” Jak smiled. He hummed under his breath as they walked on. When they reached the camp, the fire was going just inside the mouth of the cave. The weather wouldn’t hold forever, and they needed to move fast if they wanted to have enough food prepared before the rains came.
Rasha had placed the tools for Lu to prepare their meal at the side of the cave. When she saw Jak, something passed between them. A look… was she blushing? It was hard to tell under all the purple. Lu reminded himself that it was none of his business and went about preparing supper with Chiza.
“What’s going on there?” Chiza asked, tilting her head at Jak and Rasha.
“I would ask about all her intimate relationships, but I know Rash, she’d rather cut me with one of her swords than share her feelings.”
“I see,” Chiza said. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked back down at her hands. He sighed and wondered how long it would take before he saw her smile again.
“Jak brought us some meat, let’s see how much of it we can get ready tonight. Are you hungry?”
Chiza shook her head.
“I could use some help.”
Chiza’s mouth turned up at the ends “I wish I could help, but I’m not much for cooking either. It’s not a part of my training.”
“Well, then together we might make something just above edible.” Lu smiled and bumped her with his shoulder. She smiled back. There it was. He’d been waiting for it all day. The smile that could light up the night.
Temi scooted closer to them as they worked, making smacking sounds in anticipation.
“Not yet, we’ve got a lot of work to do before we eat, little one.”
“Do you feed him raw meat?”
“No, I figure he’ll learn that little trick on his own, and since I don’t know how big he’ll get I better wait. For now, it’s a good thing he’s dependent on us for his meals.”
Temi’s incessant whine made Chiza smile again.
“Well, at least we’ll have one who’ll enjoy what we make no matter how horrible it turns out.”
“He’d eat a ranglefort if you put it in front of him.”
Chiza’s face scrunched up at the distasteful idea.
Lu looked up when Rasha and Jak moved off.
“The storm is almost here,” Chiza observed, looking up at the dark clouds.
“You have no idea,” Lu replied, watching Rasha.
20
Jak stood in front of Rasha with hurt etched across his face. She looked down at the ground as she tried to think of something to say. Something that made how she’d left him behind okay, or at least forgivable. She couldn’t think of anything.
“You left,” he whispered.
“A courier delivers,” she replied.
“Don’t.” Jak took a step forward and Rasha took a step back.
“You kissed me and then you left.”
“I didn’t kiss you. You kissed me,” Rasha retorted. She looked over to see if Lu and Chiza had overheard them. They were deep in their own conversation. She took several steps away from the cave.
“You kissed me and then left without returning to your room. If you had, you’d have been there when we had to run.”
“Look, I know everything is a little complicated, but I thought—” Jak ran a hand over his face. “I told you why I was following you. Why didn’t you let me in on the plan?”
“I didn’t sit down for tea and sandwiches and go over my ideas with you. I saw the place surrounded, and I had to make a run for it. You were nowhere in sight.”
Jak raised a hand to stop her.
“I didn’t come here to argue the point. I want you to understand that, despite my pumseed behavior, I’m here for you. You can trust me.”
Rasha heard the words, but she watched his face. When he said the last line he looked up at the sky. He was still lying about something. She didn’t know what it was, but she’d learned how to read deceptive body language and his was screaming at her. But when he looked at her with that hunger, he was being sincere. It was there again, in his stormy blue eyes.
Rasha’s instincts were screaming. She should run, she shouldn’t trust him. But the passion in his eyes, his feelings for her, were real. He was telling the truth about that. He stepped closer and his arms enveloped her before she could think. His mouth found hers, but this time their breathless kisses were warm and soft. Neither noticed the rain that fell around them. The droplets pattered their faces, but neither let go. Rasha didn’t realize that her hands were gripping him until he pulled back.
He looked at her smugly. The look she hated.
“Wow, that wasn’t just me kissing you that time.”
Embarrassed, Rasha let go and started back toward the cave.
“Wait, I’m being a fool again. I’m sorry. Listen, I didn’t come just because I had to, but because I wanted to. Do you at least believe that?” His eyes searched hers while hers searched his.
Not taking her eyes off of him she said, “Yes.”
His shoulders dropped and his arms fell to his sides.
“Good, now let’s get you something to eat. You look hungry.” Jak had the audacity to reach out and grab her by the waist.
Rasha slapped his hand away and took a swing, but missed his head—he was ready for her.
Jak was laughing now, and he tried to put an arm around her shoulders but she shook him off before Lu and Chiza could see. She didn’t know what they were yet, but she wasn’t ready to declare it.
Rasha and Jak were both wet from the rain. Lu had set up a place for them to hang their cloaks to dry. He and Chiza had already gotten out of their wet clothes and were warming by the fire. She and Jak did the same. The smell of the cooking meat reached her and her stomach groaned in complaint. She’d gone without food the night before. That must have been the reason for her spinning head and racing heart.
Jak sat next to her by the fire. Chiza looked ready to curl up in Lu’s lap. The two looked adorable together. What was she thinking? No, they couldn’t be together and seeing them reminded her that it jeopardized their mission and the reinstatement of their licenses. She needed to say something. Jak grabbed her leg and shook his head before she could stand.
What did he mean, no? Didn’t he understand what losing their licenses would mean? No, he’d already lost his own license. Rasha gave him a hard stare and sat back down. Chiza fell asleep with Lu as her pillow.
“I’ll take the first watch,” Jak offered.
Rasha gave him a nod and positioned herself two feet from the fire and watched him. He crossed his legs and closed his eyes as if he were in deep prayer. Perhaps he was meditating or just listening for any sounds. He must have felt her gaze, because his eyes opened and he smiled when he caught her staring at him. She didn’t blink, but she yawned and looked at the fire. She woke up to a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I’m tired. Can you take over?” Jak whispered. His eyes were drooping. He still looked wet.
She reached out and touched his shoulders.
“I went scouting our location to make sure I wasn’t followed. I need to rest.”
“Yes, it’s fine, I’m awake.” She sat up to prove it.
She relinquished her place to him and hung his cloak so it could dry. The fire was low and they would need more wood if they wanted to make it until morning without getting too cold. Her blood was thick enough, but the princess had snuggled close Lu to keep warm and Temi lay curled up in a ball beside them.
Rasha couldn’t stop thinking about how much things had changed since they’d picked up Chiza. They’d picked up a tracker and several groups that her father hired trying to bring her home again. Central claimed the delivery was void after losing their courier positions. But there was no record of a new fetch and delivery being created.
Rasha also wondered why the king of Sidoa would risk his daughter’s life by sending so many illegals after his daughter? Didn’t he know many of the couriers he’d contacted worked in less-than-reputable channels? Her own contact to this job had been Poobari, a jailer with a well-known criminal history.
What motive could her father have for making such careless choices for his only daughter? There was something about it all that bothered her. Her brain hurt trying to figure out the strange puzzle. She wasn’t used to knowing this much about a fetch and delivery of a package. But this wasn’t a normal package, this was a person. By law, upon discovery the sender should be fined, but instead they’d sanctioned the couriers. The system at Central might have been having an off day, but she doubted it. Rasha would ask Lu to tug on his connection to Poobari. Maybe they could find out more about who was behind this.
Rasha was cooking meat for breakfast by the time the others woke. Temi had been sitting at her side the moment she started. Jak was the last to wake up as he’d been up most of the night. Lu set up his equipment and contacted Poobari.
“Well, I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon, Greenie. How’d that fetch and delivery go?”
“That’s why I’m contacting you, and I think you know why.”
“I don’t have the slightest idea, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me, so let me sit down and have a listen.” Poobari rearranged his bulk and sat down in the chair just behind him. “What’s the news?”
“I was hoping you could tell me. It appears we’re not the only ones hired for this fetch and delivery.”
Poobari put up his hands in a shrug.
“You went through the proper channels. I don’t know how Central handles their business, but I’m sure they’ve got computers and machines making sure that kind of thing doesn’t happen.” He had the audacity to wiggle his eyebrows.
“We don’t—” Lu began before Rasha snatched the communicator from his hands.
Rasha looked into the camera and waited for Poobari to acknowledge her.
“Rash, love, I haven’t seen you in ages. How are you?”
“I’d be better if there weren’t a bunch of mukes chasing after my fetch. Who hired them?”
“I don’t know what you mean. I haven’t got a thing to do with them.” Poobari’s chins quivered with denial. His eyes, however, shifted to the left.
“Do you remember the last time I caught you in a lie?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you, love. I swear I don’t know why there are so many chasing after one little princess.”
Rasha waited for Poobari to catch his own mistake but the pumseed wasn’t that bright.
“I never mentioned that the fetch was a princess.” Poobari’s pale skin turned a bright red. “Here’s what’s going to happen next. You’ll tell me who hired those other men and everything thing you know about this thing or I will fetch you and with the help of my friends, Cutter and Blade, deliver you to the Universal’s front door.”
Poobari looked around the room.
“I ain’t supposed to say a word about it. I can’t, you see. If I do, there are worse things than dying by your swords, little girl.” He looked from left to right as if he expected someone would interrupt him at any moment.
“The king hired those men.”
“Which king?”
“The King of Sidoa.” The communication cut off, and the screen went transparent.
“What happened?” Rasha said, holding out the communicator to Lu.
Chiza’s eyes were wide with shock.
“One lying jailer isn’t to be trusted,” Rasha said, moving to sit next to her. “It explains nothing.”
“Could it be true? Could my father be responsible for the men chasing us?”
“To be honest with you, I’m not sure.” Rasha placed a hand on Chiza’s back as the young woman wept. “Look, this is bigger than any of us suspected. We’ll figure out the details of what happened, and we won’t give up. You’ll get your prince and I’ll be a licensed courier again.”
Chiza wiped her eyes and nodded. Rasha wasn’t as sure as she sounded, but one way or the other, they would get answers.
“Let’s go,” Rasha announced.
“What about Jak?”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know, he was here a moment ago.”
Rasha groaned as she stormed off into the woods to look for their tracker.
21
Rasha followed Jak’s tracks into the woods. It took several tries to pick up his marks when they veered off of the path she was on. What was he doing all the way out here? The sound of voices made her hesitate, and she ducked into the bushes. She peered around them to see Jak talking with two men who were waving their hands in agitation.
One tall, dark man appeared to be Sidoan. The other was from Winaka, the seventh kingdom. Rasha stared, wondering what they could be doing here meeting with Jak. They didn’t ta
lk long. Jak dashed away, leaving the two men alone. They didn’t have any animals with them. But they hadn’t walked this far out here. Instead of following Jak back to the cave, she followed the two men.
Ducking behind trees, she managed to follow them for half a mile to the north. They were in an encampment of more than a dozen men, dressed like the men that attacked them the night before last. The two seemed to be reporting something back to the others. Rasha couldn’t make it out, but her stomach felt queasy. She recognized the feeling: betrayal.
Rasha didn’t wait to be discovered. She raced back through the woods to the cave where the others were waiting. Lu gave her a look, but she shook her head. She wouldn’t explain now.
“Rash, what’s with your bathroom habits? Between you and Jak I don’t know who’s worse.” He was covering for her.
She nodded and laughed it off.
“My stomach always gets a little nervous before we go into unknown territory.” Rasha said as she eyed Jak. He was leaning against a tree as if he’d been waiting for hours.
Chiza was sitting on Lu’s beast. Rasha didn’t bother speaking to Jak for the moment—she’d let things play out. He was up to something, and she wouldn’t trust him until she knew what it was. Jak rode ahead of them most of the way. She needed a different way to go about getting information this time.
When they stopped to water and feed the animals, she pulled Lu away from Chiza. It was difficult, as Chiza didn’t want to leave his side. Their bond was closer than ever. She wondered how they would fare in the presence of the prince. She doubted he’d be okay with his intended choosing someone from the Twinlands after he’d gone through so much trouble to ensure she arrived at the first kingdom.
“I need something from you.” Rasha spoke to him without looking, keeping her voice low.
“Anything.”
“Tell me you brought some kind of listening device. Something you can pin onto someone without them being aware that it is recording.”
Lu looked up and tracked Jak’s movement from the animals back to Chiza. She was laughing at something he said.
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