Page 39 of The Rat King
“Eclipse has been gracious enough to let you ride, and that is a high honor. No one besides me has ever ridden him. That you would even suggest wanting to ride another animal is an insult,” Nighval said.
“Seriously?” I asked, my intonation displaying my disbelief. Nighval didn’t need to answer. Eclipse snorted again and tossed his head back, his shiny mane ruffling as he picked up the pace. Nighval was right. The horse wasn’t pleased with me.
“Holy shit,” I blurted. “I’m so sorry, Eclipse. I truly didn’t know,” I said, trying to lean forward to stroke his hair back into place.
Nighval pulled me back against him as he chuckled. “He forgives you. Do you have much experience riding?” he asked.
“No. I’ve always wanted to learn, but in my plane, everyone has a vehicle, so it is more of a hobby,” I said.
“Ah, yes. Before the curse, we had enchanted carriages like the one I picked you up with. Some people have automobiles, but unfortunately, they aren’t common, and our infrastructure is somewhat lacking for mass use. And we never believed the curse would go on as long as it has…” Nighval trailed off as if the memory were painful for him.
If I had fallen for his brother, the curse would have been lifted, so I was partially responsible. “Wait, you were exiled because you failed with each of the witches that was sent before me, weren’t you?”
“Yes,” he said, and it sounded like the word was spit through gritted teeth.
“So, if I were to fall for you, the curse would be broken?” Any would be attraction I felt toward him melted away to be replaced with another red emotion. “Oh my God, it’s why you saved me. One last shot at saving your people. You just couldn’t resist.” Nighval didn’t reply. “Are all men in this plane so horrible?”
His arm tightened around me. “Would you have preferred I left you to die, then?” The silence stretched on between us.
“I didn’t think so,” he said. “And don’t worry, Avery. I could hardly imagine someone as flawless as you could fall for such a repulsive man such as myself. Like you said, I failed, given seventeen chances. Obviously, the problem is me.” My heart pinched, but he continued, not giving me time to reply. “Hold on tight and try to find Eclipse’s rhythm. You’ll be less sore later if you do.” His voice was rough, guarded.
I offended my rescuer and for whatever reason, it didn’t sit well with me. His thighs flexed again, and we were galloping through the open field surrounding the town.
That night when we got to the next inn, he didn’t say a word to me as he led me inside and to my room. I slumped to the bed as he passed through the open door between our rooms, dropping my backpack in mine before he did. A door clicked from inside his room, and when I scurried to peek inside, it was empty.
Chapter 27
Nighval
Whydideverythinghavingto do with witches have to be such a pain in my ass? The pill couldn’t have just made her forget all the parts of her memory that would be a hindrance to me. She was too clever, and I felt her stiffen when she pieced the puzzle together. I should be grateful she hadn’t made the connection between breaking the curse and saving her people. Or maybe the pill’s magic was somehow shielding her from thinking about the fact that I was the warlock who’d promised vengeance against her coven. That certainly wouldn’t paint me in a favorable light. After what she already realized, she would be guarded, and I had less than three months to get her from there to mine.
I wanted to pull at my hair or find a group of bandits to take out my frustration on. But I couldn’t because it would be another twenty-seven and a half days before I got my power back for a few scant hours. I hated witches.
Liar, the voice in my head whispered. Okay, I hated all witches but her.
Not speaking to her and storming out of the room wasn’t a great idea. Actually, it was a terrible idea. I had to remind myself that while I remembered all the moments we’d shared forming whatever fledgling bond was between us, if my mother was to be believed, Avery remembered none. Only me from the first night she’d arrived in this plane and her rescue. I would be omitted from every other memory of hers in between.
Something about that knowledge made regret coil low in my belly. I was starting from scratch with her. I’d have to establish something between us all over again, and I needed to start by getting some dinner and bringing it to her with an apology. Then lie to her about my intentions, all the while doing the very thing I was lying to her about.
Why did the idea of it make my skin crawl?
I stood in the hallway for a long moment before taking the stairs two at a time. Half an hour later, the innkeeper was following me up to her room with an overflowing tray of food which she sat on a round table barely big enough for two people. In my hand, I carried a bottle of wine and two glasses. In my thundering chest, I carried resolve.
When we stepped into the room, Avery was sitting on the bed, staring out the window with her back to the door.
“Put the food there, then leave us,” I said, and the innkeeper obeyed.
The door clicked shut behind the woman and Avery said, “You don’t have to be such a dick to them, you know?”
“Excuse me?” I asked, crossing the room to her in a few strides.
The witch turned a tear-stained face to me. That black stuff she wore on her eyes, traced a watery trail down her sun-spotted cheeks and my heart lurched. Had I made her cry?
“The service people,” she said, gesturing a hand toward the door. “That’s what I did in the other plane. I was a bartender and trust me, if you’re rude or dismissive to us, we mark you and… Never mind. It doesn’t matter, does it? You were a king, and I’m in a different world, aren’t I?”
A fresh stream of tears erupted.
“You don’t like my manners?” I asked.
