Page 38 of The Rat King
Avery
Iawokealoneinbed. The man who smelled so earthy and smoldering was gone. A wave of icy panic shot through me. Oh Goddess, I’d fallen asleep in Nighval Helicanus’s, the exiled king, arms. What was I thinking? Now that his brother was dead, did that make him king again? I wasn’t sure how all that worked, but since he was fleeing with me across the country, I assumed that meant he wasn’t.
I searched the room and didn’t see him. I heard no sounds from the adjoining room, and the sun was shimmering through the open window. The sheer white curtains rustled in a gentle breeze, which set the flames dancing in the fireplace. A fresh bucket of water sat near it, and a larger metal bucket hung over some coals. Steam rose in wafts from it, beckoning me. Next to the clean water was another larger pile of towels. Being a former king had its perks. The extras couldn’t be an account of my former standing.
I glanced at myself in the mirror and winced. My face was pink, my eyes were red and puffy. So much so that I didn’t think I’d be able to apply enough makeup to hide it. Still, I was sure Nighval, though waiting patiently, was eager to get on the road. He had saved my life and let me sob into his chest after all, so I should be respectful and hurry along.
I scarfed down the food that was set out for me and went to work, beautifying myself as best as possible. I sorted through my clothes. None of the chic shift dresses I had would be appropriate for riding on a horse, so I selected one of the workout sets I’d brought to this plane with me. This one was an ombre medium grey fading to a darker grey. Long-sleeves hooked around my thumbs and would look super cool with the charcoal cloak that was laid out across the bed. It was huge, probably his, but with as nice as he was being, I figured he’d let me use it if I wanted. Or he’d wrap us both in it again. A shiver worked its way up my spine at the thought.
Tugging on my boots, I wished they were sneakers, but they’d be perfect for our cross-country adventure and they kind of made me look bad ass. I stuffed my things in my backpack, hoisted it up to my shoulders, grabbed Nighval’s cloak, and headed out the door.
Nighval wasn’t in the small common room on the first floor. There were a few groups of rat-people huddled around round four-tops, and they eyed me warily as I passed them. Catching the server’s attention, I asked, “Have you seen…” I wasn’t sure what to call him or if she’d know the man I was traveling with by name. She hadn’t been here last night when we’d arrived. Her furry ear twitched and she gave me a curious expression. “Umm… the man I’m traveling with. He’s very tall. Incredibly tall. That’s how you’d know it was him.” I raised my brows at her hopefully.
“His Majesty was out the door hours ago. I’d check the stables,” she said, over her shoulder as she retreated into the kitchen. Well, shit. He hadn’t left a message or anything. A knot of dread seated itself in my stomach as I reached the door and exited the inn. Surely, he hadn’t left me. I had zero resources and no idea what I’d do if he had, except I was near certain that I’d end up back on the executioner’s block before long.
No, he wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t go to all the trouble to save me, only to abandon me the first chance he got. And there was the defensive way his arm had gripped me that made me think he didn’t want to let go. The word defensive wasn’t right. Possessive. As I landed on the word, the shiver from earlier turned into full on goosebumps. Good grief, I was practically crushing on my savior. I knew there was a syndrome for people who fell for their captors. Stockholm syndrome or something. Was there something similar for people who were attracted to their rescuers?
When I first saw him in the clearing, I thought he was handsome, but I also felt more than a little intimidated by his imposing presence. His arrogance. Last night, it was dark, or I was bawling, still in shock, and I hadn’t really had time to take him in. Despite myself, my curiosity peaked as I went off in search of him.
The fact that he was somehow able to shield himself from this curse and the only person I’d seen in non-rat form in the daylight this entire time.Magicas he said. Nerves jumped in my stomach—but I hadn’t seen him in daylight. It was still night when we’d arrived at the inn. Just not a full moon. What if it had only been for last night and today he was back to being a rat-man? I hadn’t realized how comforting being around another person in human form without the worry of them shifting had been.Please let him still be human.
The street was bustling at this hour. Glancing at the sun, I realized I must have slept until almost lunch, and these rat-people were beginning their mid-day breaks. I took the first alleyway next to the inn in search of the stables. Another building sat across the street behind the inn. The scent of sweat, earth, and manure that was distinctly horse drifted up my nostrils. I found the stables. Nighval leaned against the wooden building, standing on one foot. The other leg bent at the knee with the sole of his boot planted on the wall and he crossed his arms over his broad chest.
A flood of relief soaked through me as I caught sight of him. My savior was human still. That brought up another concern. I really didn’t like how dependent I was on him. How I was at the mercy of his generosity. If what he said was true, I would never be able to leave this plane. What did that mean for my future? I glanced back at the inn. I guessed I could find some bar in some sleepy town and sling drinks, but that was a far cry from the queen position I’d signed up for. And I’d always be in danger.
Scanning Nighval’s body, his face, which was significantly more intimidating than I remembered, I decided it was best to be grateful and perhaps this man would help me figure things out. Nighval was a warlock. Maybe he could get a message to my coven. They could draw me home and things could go back to how they were before I came here.
Water splashed as my boot stomped into the puddle of water which pooled in the middle of the street and my eyes landed on pale skin, not fur, peeking out of that same fitted suit. Thank the Goddess, the towering man appeared as human as I did. My steps almost guttered as a powerful flood of relief hit me. Small victories. Nighval’s closed eyes snapped open, locked on me, then widened even as his jaw lowered. His jaw dropped. Who was I kidding? Even with my puffy eyes, I knew I looked hot and this large, very intimidating man seemed to agree.
His eyes ran up and down my body and a little thrill shot through me. Yep, I definitely had a syndrome because the way he was staring at me made me feel good. So good that I couldn’t repress the grin that broke out across my face, making my cheeks burn.
“What?” I squinted at his slack jaw, glad I hadn’t put the cloak on. “Everyone knows I’m not from here, so what does it matter what I wear? Besides, from what I recall, you didn’t approve of my demure white shift dress, and this will be much better on a horse, don’t you think?” I asked, blinking my coated lashes at him in mock innocence. His Adam’s apple bobbed, but his jaw hardened.
Ignoring me, he said, “I see you’re recovered. Are you ready to ride?”
I nodded, following him into the stable. The giant horse was in the first pen and Nighval brought him out into the center of the space, made some arrangements, which included taking my backpack from me and securing it to the animal.
“What’s his name?” I asked, holding my hand up above my head near the horse’s nose so he could smell me.
“Eclipse,” he said, and watched me as Eclipse nudged my hand, lowering his head so I could run my fingers along the gleaming black fur of his muzzle. When he didn’t ready another horse, I had my answer to my earlier question.
“We will travel a long distance, like you said. Can Eclipse manage both of our weight, plus my pack?” I asked. The animal nudged the side of my head in what I interpreted as an affectionate gesture and snorted, lifting tendrils of my hair.
I didn’t have to see him studying me to know his eyes were still on me. The way they burned across my skin made heat crawl up my neck. “Eclipse isn’t a normal horse, Avery.”
“Right,” I said, turning to him. His hand was raised to me, and I took it, letting him help me into the saddle. So, the horse was like his rider, something beyond normal, something magical and powerful. As Nighval swung up behind me and pulled me to him, settling us in the saddle which I noticed had two depressed areas to make riding together more comfortable.
“You couldn’t have gotten me my own horse, then?” I asked. He’d gotten this special saddle after all.
A knowing half-smile crept across his face, and I craned my neck back so I could witness his answer.
“No, a standard mount wouldn’t be able to keep up with Eclipse. And I don’t have another enchanted animal just lying around,” he said, and Eclipse gave another snort I didn’t take to be intended as kindly as the one before.
Nighval’s thighs, which were on either side of mine, flexed and Eclipse ducked under the arch of the stable doors and trotted out into the street.
“You’ve offended him,” Nighval said, the humor in his rich voice apparent.
“What—how?” I asked, incredulous.
