by Jessa Ford
In an instant the Innkeeper’s demeanor changed. “Welcome, Mrs.…” “Anders,” Xave chimed in. “Right, Mrs. Anders. I was just negotiating a rate with your husband here. Can never be too sure travelers are telling the truth, you know. We like to keep this a family establishment and don’t rent to many single men.” Cora smiled up at the giant man in front of her, “I’m so glad to hear that. We’d be so grateful if you were able to accommodate us tonight while we’re passing through.” The Innkeeper assured her there would be a room and Xave paid the man. “Why don’t you and your husband find yourself a seat in the dining room while I send someone to tidy up your room. My wife is serving pigeon stew tonight and it’s not to be missed.” Xave and Cora thanked him and headed toward the noise coming from the adjoining space.
“Anders?” Cora asked when they were seated in a corner table. “It’s a common Hulsgardian name,” he replied, sliding into the chair closest to her. Cora took in the scene around her. Many visitors kept to themselves, but a group of what appeared to be locals gathered near the fire, laughing, drinking, and playing upbeat music. Unlike in Telgria, there was no telling what part of society these villagers hailed from. Their clothing was all similar, and no one seemed to be ignored or looked down upon. Cora wondered what life was like in a small village away from the constant noise and needs of the city. Away from the danger, too, she thought.
“Stew?” A small plump woman appeared at their right rolling a giant pot on a small cart up to the table. “Please,” Xave stood to grab two bowls off her cart. The woman’s cheeks were red from the heat rolling off the pot. “A few ales to wash it down?” The woman nodded to a skinny serving girl who shuffled off to the kitchen before Cora or Xave could answer. “Helps to break the ice, if you know what I mean?” She nudged Cora’s arm and laughed. “Mrs. Winterson from the General Store told me a pair of newlyweds would likely be passing through. Blessings to you both.”
Cora’s eyes widened at the bluntness of the old woman, and she stared down at the food in front of them. She didn’t dare move until the serving girl came back with two giant glasses of ale. The liquid sloshed out of the heavy glasses when she sat them down on the table with a thud. She didn’t speak, but Cora noticed how her eyes lingered on Xave and then between he and Cora as she walked away. “It seems you made quite an impression,” she rolled her eyes. Xave smiled and smelled the aroma coming from the soup in front of him. Cora began eating, still unable to make eye contact with her companion. Damn small towns and their efficient gossip mills.
As they ate, Cora studied the people who entered the dining room. Many appeared to be working class. It was probably a lumber community, based on its proximity to the forest. “Do you think they have magical gifts here?” she mused and lifted the glass of ale to her nose to smell. It reminded her of the dough from a bread her mother often made. “Does it matter?” Xave was already finished with his soup, which was as good as the innkeeper had promised. “Yes, I mean...doesn’t it matter?” Cora took a sip of the ale and almost gagged. Xave chuckled but continued, “In a small town like this where the main source of income is the result of physical labor, everyone is more or less equal. I imagine some have magical gifts, but they probably can’t afford to send their children to cities to study. Their gifts stay weak and eventually become dormant. It doesn’t change their standing in their community, though.”
Cora sat back and considered Xave’s words. “It sounds kind of nice,” she finally said. “I suppose it does,” he took her hand and she looked up at him out of the corner of her eye. He ran his thumb over the ring on her finger and she felt like a spark had ignited within her again. Cora attempted to finish her ale and they stayed at their table near heat of the fire until the serving girl returned with a room key. Xave thanked her for the meal once more and they ascended the stairs toward their room.
The innkeeper had put them in the furthest room in the back of the inn. The room was small, with just enough space for a bed and chair. There was a tiny bathroom attached with only a sheet covering the entrance. Cora couldn’t help but notice there wasn’t even enough space for one of them to sleep on the floor, and the wooden chair certainly didn’t make for a suitable sleeping location. “We should try to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow,” Xave took Cora’s bag and sat it in the corner.
Cora ventured to the bathroom to wash her face and looked into the mirror for the first time since she left Malen’s. Her hair was the texture of straw after crawling through the cave and walking for the better part of the afternoon. She sighed as she let it fall freely. She had half a mind to try washing it in the small sink, but the sting of her sweater against her arms stopped her. She took off her sweater and turned her arms toward the mirror to inspect where Nikol’s man had burned her. The redness had almost all but subsided, but a white handprint remained.
Cora winced slightly when she touched her arm and turned on the cool water, hoping to offer some relief. At the sound of her wince, Xave appeared in the doorway, and Cora didn’t attempt to cover her injury. “Does it hurt?” He stood behind her and gently grazed his fingers over the edge of her burn. “I’m okay,” she shrugged. “I know you’re okay, but does it still hurt?” Cora’s face betrayed her words as she flinched when she moved her arm. Xave looked concerned and disappeared at once, only to return in another instant with tea bags. “These will help draw out the heat,” he ran them under water and gently pressed them to Cora’s arm. She leaned back into him and relaxed her shoulders. Xave held one hand pressing the tea bags to her arm, the other absentmindedly running through her coarse hair.
“Do you think this is what all newlyweds do?” Cora looked at him in the mirror and studied his face. He was strikingly handsome with his dark features. She supposed she had always thought so. It was hard not to get swept away by his aloofness and the way he always looked as if he had a secret he wasn’t sure he wanted to tell you. His gray eyes were somehow bright behind his dark lashes, and when he bent his head down toward her his unruly hair fell into them. Cora had the urge to brush it to the side. She could do that now, she supposed.
Before he could answer she continued, “I mean do you think it’s normal to help mend each other when one of them is burned by an evil henchman working for someone from their childhood nightmares?” Xave’s laughter bellowed throughout the small room, “I'm not sure, but based on our experience, I can’t say I’d recommend it.” Cora squeezed Xave’s hand and turned to leave the small bathroom. She debated removing her skirt but thought better of it, instead turning down the heavy blanket on the bed. She quietly got in and turned toward the wall. She did not, however, take off the ring she’d been given hours earlier. After what felt like an eternity, Xave blew out the last remaining candles in the room and joined her in the bed. The warmth of his body and his melodic breathing quickly lulled her to sleep.
✽✽✽
When the moon was high in the sky and the only sounds were the forest creatures in the near distance, Xave woke to the sound of commotion coming from downstairs. His sudden movement stirred Cora awake and he put his finger to her mouth to keep her from speaking. He pointed toward the door and whispered, “Something isn’t right. Can you slow time up here while I go check out what’s going on?” “Of course,” Cora shot up in bed and began to reach for her magic. Her thoughts drifted to the room, the hallway, down the stairs, and into the great entryway, just to be sure. She imagined how all the molecules of the kitchen interacted and went so far as to freeze the space around the Inn.
She imagined keeping a hold of everything she’d just visualized and felt the air buzzing around her. She was still surprised at how easy it became every time. It was as if she was holding all the strings to a thousand puppets. Seconds later, Xave returned and she saw a hint of concern reflected in his face. “What is it?” Cora dropped the hold she had on the space around her and sat up on her knees. “Some of Nikol’s hunters are here.” Xave started pacing the small room. Cora’s eyes widened and her heart star
ted to race as she thought back to the caves. “They’re looking for someone, but won’t say who. I didn’t recognize any of them, and I don’t know that they’d recognize us. They’re checking all the guest rooms.”
Cora concentrated on controlling her breathing and found her fear was being slowly replaced by anger. She thought of the kindness she’d experienced in her short time in the village and felt anger at how Nikol disrupted their lives, bringing fear and chaos for his own selfish gain. “Should we run?” She stood to begin packing their things, but Xave held up a hand. “No. It would seem too suspicious that two of the guests left once they arrived. Plus, we need to get through the Forgotten Forest tomorrow and it won’t help us make up time with them on our heels.” He stood chewing the inside of his cheek and then appeared in front of Cora in a second. She could tell he had a plan.
“Get back in bed,” he instructed. Xave removed his shirt and pulled back the quilt once more, and Cora froze. “We’re supposed to be recently married, right? What do you suppose people do when they’re married and...alone?” Cora understood and slowly made her way back toward the other end of the bed. “They’re probably less likely to look closely at us if we’re…” Cora’s voice trailed off. “Exactly,” Xave stood at the foot of the bed and looked at her with fire burning in his eyes. Cora’s breath caught in her throat.
She’d been around boys dressed for swimming or playing sports who were shirtless, but this was different. It felt different. Perhaps it was because she knew Xave. She'd learned his secrets; he trusted her with them. He knew her, too. He'd seen her when she wasn't anyone, and he believed she could do something as impossible as become a Time Bender. Cora's heart seized at the sight of him. He ran a hand through his hair, making it even messier than usual. He looked at her as if he was going to say something, but stopped.
Cora and Xave heard heavy footsteps followed by a knock on the door. Xave jumped in bed and threw the covers over them, while pulling her underneath him at once. As he held her close, Cora tried to focus her eyes on anything but Xave. She could see the faint design of his Arvendrian tattoo under his collarbone, and her fingers itched to reach up and touch it. The outline of his broad shoulders and the muscles in his chest were dangerously close to her. She didn’t know what to do with her hands. “When they open the door, I want you to scream,” he leaned down and whispered in her ear, and again the scent of soap and mint flooded her senses. Cora felt sure her heart was going to beat out of her chest, but it had nothing to do with the men about to enter their room.
Like clockwork, the door burst open all while Xave’s head whipped around and Cora screamed. Xave sat up and Cora burrowed under the blanket. “What is the meaning of this?” Xave quickly shot out of bed and stood nose to nose with the two men taking up the last remaining space in their small room. “And furthermore, how dare you disrespect my wife? She’s not decent,” he gestured to Cora who turned her head, pulling the sheet further up around herself.
The two men didn’t falter and the closer one cleared his throat, “We’re looking for two wanted Time Benders, and it just so happens there’s two of you in this room.” His voice was deep and Cora felt the evil dripping off of each syllable. “Well you’ve come to the wrong place,” Xave didn’t waver at all. “How can we be sure? We haven’t even searched you.” The second man came forward, his eyes drifting to Cora. “We’re just passing through. Going to visit my mother. She lives in Hulsgard.” Xave shifted to block Cora from the man’s view. Upon hearing this the first man nodded his head. He nudged the second man to leave, but the second man looked confused. “Hulsgard is nearly void of magic. No powerful Time Bender would come from there.” The second man understood and they left the room after pulling back the sheet to the bathroom, and giving Cora one last glance.
Cora was surprised how easily they dismissed anyone from Hulsgard, but was grateful nonetheless. Clearly, they had all but forgotten Eldri Arafo. Xave turned back to her when the door slammed shut. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think we’d run into any trouble this quickly.” Cora dropped the sheet and inched toward where he sat on the edge of the bed. “If I remember correctly, I agreed to be a part of this,” she smiled and touched his arm, trying to ignore the dirty scent of the two men that lingered in the air. “It wasn’t like I had much of a choice,” Xave spoke softly, and his words jolted Cora. The moonlight cast a shadow over the side of his face. He continued, “You’ve been a permanent fixture in my mind since the first day you yelled at me in the library. I don’t let people in, but somehow you found a way to make a place for yourself; and now I put you in danger, and at any moment something could happen to you.”
In another instant, Xave had his arms around Cora’s waist and pulled her close. Whether it was adrenaline or lust, Cora let her guard down and found herself sitting in Xave’s lap, her hands running through his shaggy black hair as his long arms held her so close there was no space between them. She didn’t even need to kiss him; feeling his skin touch hers again was electrifying enough. They were lost in each other until a strong gust of wind blew open the small window above the bed, leaving a trail of leaves from the nearby tree in its wake. Cora and Xave laughed, and Xave reached up to close the latch on the window. They returned to their respective sides of the beds and allowed themselves to sleep deeply for the few hours remaining until morning.
✽✽✽
When dawn finally arrived, they dressed in their new clothes quickly and packed to leave. They looked every bit the part of a Hulsgardian in their new attire. Cora fought the urge to laugh when she saw Xave. He wore brown pants and a light blue shirt. “I don’t know who you are without your black uniform,” she giggled. Xave sighed as if he was exasperated, but his eyes betrayed him. He enjoyed their back and forth as much as she did. “I’ll make sure to pack extra the next time we’re evading capture,” he planted a quick kiss on her cheek and opened the door to the room. When they left, Cora paused in the entryway of the inn while Xave returned the key. The dining room was much quieter after the events of the previous night and she could feel how the air had shifted. It only caused the anger to grow within her.
The danger she faced was far-reaching and had lasting effects on innocent communities. In silence they left the Inn and headed toward the opposite side of town toward the Forgotten Forest. “Are you ready?” Xave stopped them at the forest's edge. Cora simply nodded and wrapped her arms around him. Xave held onto Cora and transported them miles deep into the forest. Though it took them the better part of the morning, they covered nearly a day’s worth of travel at normal pace. As Cora watched the rushes of green and brown slow to a scene of dense foliage around her, she was surprised at the silence the forest offered.
The first thing she noticed was how the path was nearly invisible beneath their feet. It would be impossible to travel at night. Star maps would be unreliable too, since the forest covered nearly any inkling of sky above them. It felt strange to walk slowly, and Cora followed Xave as he cleared the undergrowth and held branches away to allow her to pass. “How do we know we’re heading in the right direction?” Cora spoke after a long stretch of walking in silence. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, she noted. She felt content in Xave’s company, whether they spoke or not. It was a different silence from how it used to be between them.
“The trees,” Xave pointed to one in front of them. “They’re green on the side that faces away from Hulsgard. The foliage also becomes less green the closer we get. You’ll start to feel how the air becomes drier and the trees become sparse.” “You’re like a dictionary. You have an answer for everything.” “I thought you knew that by now,” Xave winked and continued to walk forward at an uncomfortably slower pace than they were used to. They continued for the rest of the afternoon until the shadowy forest began to grow dark.
“We need to find a place to sleep for the night.” Xave pointed up at the sky. What little light made it through the leaves of the trees had been fading quickly. They walked a bit further until they
came to a brook. “This is probably going to be the last source of water before Hulsgard. It’s best we stay near here.” Cora didn’t realize how thirsty she became after hours of walking. She hurried to the brook and dipped her hands in, bringing the tepid water to her mouth. After drinking her fill, she gently dipped water over the burn on her arms and rinsed her face. When she stood, she watched Xave as he cleared some branches.
He was probably more capable of finding Eldri Arafo on his own, but he allowed her to come. He had wanted her to come. Again, Cora felt a warmth spread throughout her. She slowly made her way back to where Xave worked. “Welcome home,” he gestured to the opening of the lean-to. There was barely enough space for two bodies inside, but they would be well-hidden. He had cleared out some space between the trunks of three large trees. The trees had large roots that twisted out in all directions. They would be securely nestled between some of them. “It’s warm enough we won’t need a fire.” Xave sat down inside the small structure and closed his eyes. They were both exhausted. Cora leaned into Xave and her body relaxed instantly, but she felt the tension rolling off of him.
“Is something bothering you?” Cora spoke after some time to break the silence. Xave exhaled and turned to look at her, “You shouldn’t have to be here.” Cora opened her mouth to respond, but he placed a hand on her arm gently. “What I mean is, I wish you didn’t have to be doing any of this. I should have looked deeper into the Time Bender disappearances. I should have connected the dots sooner. I should have trained you more.” “How could you? We’ve barely had any time for me to even get used to the idea that I am a Time Bender. Plus, it isn’t like you were falling all over yourself to be friendly to me before,” she nudged Xave playfully, and he responded by putting his arm around her shoulder.