Tremble (Terraway Book 2)

by Mary E. Twomey

The man to the right of Lang knelt before me, his towering six and a half feet lowered so his bowed head was level with my abdomen. “Lady October, forgive me. We searched all through the night, but couldn’t find you before the root began to wear off. I’m Klark, your servant.”

  “Uh, what?”

  The man to Lang’s left bent to one knee as well. “I’m Ruiz, and my sword serves your will.”

  I took a step back, shaking my head. Lang was patient with my confusion. “These are my most trusted men. Hard to come by trust in Sakuna among my father’s soldiers, but these are the ones to bet on. They’ll see us to the castle safely.”

  I was out of my element here, and the bowing wasn’t helping any. “Okay, thanks. But please get up. The bowing really isn’t for me.”

  Ruiz and Klark stood, perplexed and concerned. “Have we offended you, milady?”

  I looked to Mason, who puffed out his chest to mimic my queenly role and the pride I should take in doling out the pleasure of my mere presence.

  No. Just… no.

  “That’s not how I roll. If we’re traveling together, you don’t need to act like I need bowing to. I sleep on the ground just like you guys, so we’re cool.” I chucked Ruiz on the shoulder, smirking at his wide eyes.

  Mason groaned at my lack of decorum. “They’re addressing you as they should. You’re the Queen of Hayop, and they’ll respect you as such.”

  My nose crinkled. “Huh? I’m not a queen. I’m an asset. Big difference. And I’ve never even set foot in Hayop.” Then it dawned on me he was thinking about Kara. She’d been Queen of Hayop when Mason had been granted the crown for the short time he was in power. My correction was quiet, and I tried to keep my inflection kind. “I’m not your wife, Mason.”

  “Oh. Yes, of course. I know that. Obviously.” Mason’s cheeks flushed pink, and he turned away to go toward the main road. “They’ll still bow to you. I’m firm on that. Omens hold even more clout than kings and queens.”

  I rolled my eyes to Ruiz and Klark. “Ignore him. He’s in a mood.”

  Ruiz and Klark exchanged uncertain looks when they rose slowly, as if unsure whether I might change my mind and off-with-their-heads them. Lang’s two besties both wore brown t-shirts and matching shorts with leather armor over their clothes. I realized they probably dressed to match the mud as camouflage. I looked on the towering men with new appreciation.

  Ruiz scratched his five o’clock shadow as he stood with his chest barreled. “Lady October, it’s a day’s walk to the castle where the main well is. Are you healthy enough for the journey?”

  I was the runt of the group, so I understood his assumption that I was more decorative than useful. “I’m fine, now that I can breathe. Minor detail.” I stretched and slid on the backpack I spotted on the ground at Lang’s feet. “Oh, cool. I was hoping Gerda and that kid found you with the stone. Trade you.” I slid Lang’s signet ring off my thumb and dropped it in his palm, grateful I hadn’t lost it.

  Lang nodded, exhaling with relief as he slid his ring back on his finger. “The boy will be rewarded in secret, so my father knows nothing of his help in hiding the sagrado stone.”

  I looked around for my favorite smarmy smirk. “Where’s Von? And where’d Edward wander to?”

  “I assume you mean the sigbin?” Ezra’s smile died on his face. “Sigbins are dangerous creatures, dear. I won’t have one tailing us through our journey. Von went to go take it to the main road to set it loose.”

  “Oh, you don’t know Edward like I do. He’s a puppy.”

  “Not a puppy. He’s a monster, trained to kill on command.”

  “Edward’s fine. Onward, boys.” I waved the guys forward and started toward the main road, trusting the others would follow behind if they felt like it. “Von?” I called when I saw his green t-shirt and black hair that stuck out at all angles.

  “November?” Von turned with a look of relief on his face. “Hey!” He held out his arms to me with that affectionate casualness he had with everyone. I fell into his embrace, muscling through the panic when it seemed like Von’s germs were nearer the surface than usual. I was now on my second day without medication, and I was starting to feel the damning pressure.

  Von squeezed me, lifting my feet off the ground. “Aren’t you supposed to be resting? I mean, you almost died, Peach. That was terrifying. I woke up to you gasping, and your lips were all blue. Then Mason and I realized the bit about the root, so Edward and I went in search of it. Your dog’s dead useful, by the way. He dug up a baga root about the same time Prince Langgam and Ezra found us.” He set me down, looking at me with ease to mask his worry. “I’ve never woken up next to a woman who was mid-suffocation before. Let’s not do that in our next life, yeah? Make sure you come back as a sexy librarian who’s also a marathon runner or deep sea diver. Someone with amazing lung capacity.”

  “I’ll put in a formal request first thing. But we should get going. I don’t feel like waking up to not breathing again.”

  “Demanding little vixen, you are.” Edward came back to Von, whining with his tail between his legs as he licked my knuckle. “Go on, Edward. You know Ezra said you can’t chum with us.”

  I clicked my fingers to Edward and started down the trail toward the mountains. “It’s fine. Edward can stay.”

  Ezra and the others came up behind me and followed down the mud path. It was slightly elevated from the trees and the vast nothingness on the other side, so there were whole patches of dry dirt to walk on. “October Grace, I told you we can’t travel with a sigbin. It’s dangerous.”

  I kept walking with Edward on my left and Von on my right, who cast an apologetic glance at Ezra as we walked. “It’s fine, Ezra. The first time he eats out someone’s heart, I’ll start writing that apology note.”

  “Hilarious. This one seems docile now, but it’s not likely he’ll stay that way. I have no idea why he’s been so compliant. I’m not willing to gamble your safety on the mercy of a monster.”

  “Edward doesn’t deserve to be ostracized. So he didn’t grow up with people who loved him. He has me now, and he’s not ready to give that up. Von tried to shoo him away, and he wouldn’t go. Edward knows who I am. He’s cool.” I reached down and patted Edward’s head, smiling when he ground his muzzle into my leg while I walked.

  “This is the exact opposite of what I asked you to do, kids,” Ezra said to Von and me with a frown.

  Von took the scolding with grace, matching my pace as I started walking faster to make better time. “I tried, Ezra. He wouldn’t leave her. Or me, actually. It’s not my fault that I’m a fearsome dragon tamer.”

  I turned toward Ezra, still stinging from his hug that had turned sour. “Look, I appreciate where it’s coming from, but I’m not your kid. You care about the welfare of your country, and I get that. Edward is dead useful. He’ll make sure I’m safe. If I can keep an eye on him, he should be able to stay.”

  Ezra frowned. “I care about your safety, as well. You’re my daughter, and I think I have to right to be able to tell you not to play with killers.”

  “Then tell Lang to go on home. Tell Mason he’s no longer needed. How about you? How clean are your hands?” I felt a little bad for lashing out at him, but I didn’t much like being bossed. “And all due respect, but you’re not my dad. I know you’re not going through with that marriage, so let it be what it is. You’re my co-worker.”

  Von let out a low whistle, and I felt a ping of guilt at my blatant attitude.

  Mason saddled up beside me and placed his hand on my back. “Excuse us for a moment. Sorry, Ezra. My charge doesn’t know what she’s saying. Go on ahead. We’ll catch up after I’ve had a talk with her.”

  Ezra nodded, watching as I retracted from Mason and stood to the side with Edward while the others passed by. Mason squared his shoulders to mine and put his hands on my biceps, looking at me as if gearing up for a grounding. “What was that? Ezra’s been perfectly nice to you. He saved your life! This is how you thank him
?”

  “I’m not giving up Edward, and I don’t much care for being bossed like I’m his kid. You want to have this same talk with him? You know Edward’s not dangerous to me.”

  Mason studied the defiance in my eyes. “Why are you being like this?”

  “You all want me to act like this important person who has all this power, but I’m not allowed to make small decisions, like whether or not I want a dog? How’s that measure up?”

  “Ezra’s a good man.”

  “I know that.”

  “He saved your life. He’s been searching all night for us with Prince Langgam.”

  “Yes, I know they need me alive for the safety of the kingdom. It’s a real heartwarming father-daughter tale of sending the unsuspecting girl into the lion’s den and then getting pissed when the girl makes friends with the lion.”

  “That’s how you see this?”

  “It’s how it is. Ezra’s a good guy, but I don’t need him to play the dad card when we all know what this is. I’m here because I drew the short straw from the genetic pool. At least let me keep the ounce of sunshine I found with my dog.”

  Mason dropped his hands from my arms and stood straighter, looking down his nose at me. “I thought I saw a glimmer of my wife’s nobility in you, but I was wrong.”

  I don’t know why I allowed his words to cut me, but they did. “Dude, I’m not your wife. I’m not Ezra’s daughter. I’m just me, and that should be enough for anyone who actually cares about me.” I clicked my fingers to Edward. “Come on, buddy. We’re falling behind.”

  35

  The Prince’s Proposal

  I kept my distance from Mason and Ezra as we walked through the day and on into the evening. Mason, Von and I hadn’t eaten in almost two days, and it was starting to affect my energy level. I trudged on through the muck in my bare feet, the sagrado stone banging against the small of my back as the backpack shifted with every step I took. When the pointy end hit my spine in just the right way, I slid the pack off and moved off the path so the others could keep going.

  Mason took the pack by the strap and set it on the ground as I winced through a stretch. “I’ll carry this for a while. Give you a break.”

  “I can do it. It’s just poking my back, is all. I’m afraid it’s going to break my skin and Von’ll vamp out. Give it here. I know touching the backpack makes you uncomfortable.” I held out my hand to retrieve it from him. “I needed a two-second break. I’m good now.”

  “I’m more uncomfortable at the prospect of you being the only one who’s carrying anything heavy. You’ve done more than your fair share. It’s my turn. Now lift up your shirt.”

  I raised my eyebrow at Mason. “You’ve gotta know I’m not doing that. Dude, put some grease on it. Spread a little ‘you’re so beautiful’ before asking a girl to take off her shirt, not that I would’ve anyway.”

  Mason huffed. “I meant so I can see your back. Just a few inches.”

  “Oh. That sounds much better. It’s fine.” I hiked up my yellow t-shirt to show him my lower back, expecting maybe a little red mark or something.

  Mason hissed. “Ruiz, do you have any salve in your satchel? We’re taking a break.” He lowered his voice to me, still holding the backpack as if carrying a bomb. “You should’ve told me it was hurting you sooner. It’s my job to make sure you don’t have to go through too much pain in all this.”

  “My pain?” I looked up at him, too tired to play games. “I crossed you off the list of people who care about my pain as soon as you went in for that second kiss. You care about your pain. It’s fine. It’s Darwinian. Just don’t lie about it. I’m not five.” I didn’t speak with an attitude, just without tact.

  Mason’s mouth fell open, speechless at the scolding.

  Ruiz pulled out a small unmarked tub of cream that was a sickly shade of greenish yellow. The others stretched and sat down to share from Lang’s men’s canteens. I didn’t want to think about the ramifications of putting an unnamed random mud concoction on my skin. I wanted to run from that little tub, but remained in place, not wanting to inflict my neurosis on poor Ruiz, who was only trying to help. I counted back from ten, readying myself to be cool about whatever was slathered on my back.

  “Is it bad?” I asked. “I’m not bleeding, right?”

  Ruiz frowned when he took in the damage. “No. No blood. But your back is starting to bruise and blister. My ointment will speed the healing, but it can’t undo this.” Ruiz knelt down behind me, casting a sheepish grin up. His wide nose revealed four freckles I could now see, since he was finally shorter than me. “I apologize for kneeling. There’s just no other way for me to see what I’m doing.”

  “Very well, you may keep your kneecaps,” I ruled in my most queenly voice, grateful he chuckled and didn’t take me seriously. Edward sniffed Ruiz, who froze upon such close contact with the monster I adored. “It’s alright, Edward. He’s helping.”

  “I confess, I’ve never seen a sigbin so tamed. He even bites Prince Aranya on occasion.”

  “Who’s Prince Aranya?”

  “Prince Langgam’s older brother. Next in line for the throne, and totally undeserving of it. Most of Sakuna would follow Prince Langgam to the grave.” Ruiz paused before putting the germy glop on me. “I apologize. Some of your scrapes are lower on your... I…”

  “I gotcha.” I rolled down the waist of my shorts an inch, hissing when the cold cream slathered over my skin. “Oh, that’s nice.” It tingled when the air hit it, sending a hot and cold sensation through my spine. I looked over my shoulder and found Ruiz blowing on my lower back.

  “You have to let it dry,” he explained apologetically. “The longer the salve stays on your skin, the better.”

  I nodded, rolling my shirt to be more of a halter. I tied it off below my breasts, while wishing for a sweater to cover my naked skin.

  “Nice,” Von teased me, pinching my stomach just to make me yelp.

  “Knock it off. I wouldn’t bother with it if it wasn’t actually painful.”

  “No, I think you look quite fetching.” Von took in my discomfort as my eyes shifted from side to side and my arms crossed over my stomach. “In fact, I think I’ll copycat that style.” He took his emerald t-shirt and rolled it up to reveal his toned midsection, trying to cinch it as I had, but coming up with no luck. “How did you manage that?”

  I laughed, and the motion felt amazing. I hadn’t laughed in a while. I reached out and tied Von’s shirt around his ribs to match me, grinning at his antics done just to lighten my mood. He hadn’t even touched me to pull my anxiety, but lifted a portion using only his strange personality. “You’re a diva if I ever saw one.”

  “Oh, you.” He motioned to his toned stomach. “But we’re looking for drop dead gorgeous. I would also have settled for lust-worthy, sexy beast, Von the Amazing Seducer of Women – just to give you a few ideas for next time you describe me to your girlfriends. I’ve got my eye on Stacy next. Then Christina. Then maybe I’ll give Rachel another go.”

  “That’s quite the list.”

  “Well, I’m quite the guy.” He helped Ruiz to stand and raised his fist in the air. “Onward, soldiers!”

  Von looked hilarious with his haltered shirt. I was so distracted by the cuteness that I didn’t even mind it when his hand slid into mine. I knew he was pulling from me, but it didn’t remind me that I was the basket case among warriors. We were just two goofballs out for a walk in the too-hot summer. Von bumped his hip to mine as we led the way. “Do you mind if I see if Stacy’s up for giving me a tour of her bedroom?”

  I reminded myself of my firm placement in the friend zone and tried to make myself useful on the sidelines. “I can’t imagine she wouldn’t be. She’s usually up for anything if the guy’s cute enough. I recommend wearing exactly this when you hit on her.” I chuckled, squeezing his hand. “Oh! Ask her to do her British accent for you. It’s hilarious. Honestly, best laugh you’ll have for weeks.”

  “Is she all coc
kney?”

  “No, it’s completely Jamaican. I swear, she doesn’t even hear the difference.”

  “Well, that’s just wrong.” He rolled his shoulders as we walked through the mud. “I’ll suffer through the accent mishaps if it takes the edge off for a night. It’s been too long. You’ve domesticated me, love.”

  “I can’t imagine anything more tragic.” I tried to let go of his hand, but he only held tighter. “Well, Mr. Brady, you can spend your nights however you like. Just make sure you’re home by morning to read your paper at the breakfast table and take our dog for a walk.”

  “Yes, dear.” He leaned over and kissed my nose, grinning when I swiped away the affection. “Wiping my love away, are you? Oh, you’re afraid some lone wolf might see and get jealous?”

  “No. It’s not that.”

  He looked over his shoulder to confirm we were a safe distance ahead of the others. “Look, date who you want. Mason’s a solid bloke usually, and he’s been one of my best mates for years. I’ve got nothing against Mason, but don’t let him use you like that anymore. Go make it with some lucky bloke who’s not loaded with baggage.”

  “Who would that be? I’ve had exactly one guy off and on in my life, and he cheated on me with my friend. I’m just not the dating type.”

  Von frowned. “When we get back, I’ll see to remedying that. I’ll find you someone good. Someone really clean who gets off on washing his hands.”

  “I don’t need your help finding a boyfriend.”

  “Who said anything about a boyfriend? I’m just talking about a boy to neck with who won’t leave welts on you.” He motioned to the bruises on my collar with a guilty expression. “Have I said I’m sorry about that?”

  “Only every five minutes. I’m really fine. Fine about the neck stuff. Fine without a guy to take me out. I’m more the work type of girl than the dating type of girl.”

  “Boy, are you lucky I came along. These are your golden years. Use them unwisely.” He pinched my stomach again, smiling at my squeak and shove.